What is a "professional photographer"? (Please read on)?

Ok well, I own a digital camera, that I taught myself to use and create interesting photography, but am probably not yet a "professional photographer". These new cameras are becoming so advanced that any idiot can use them. I have not made any money off my photography yet, but would like to. The"professional photographers" are the ones who are getting paid for their services, and I want in.

Gee...I like all the "encouragement"
you're getting.

As far as all their "definitions" of
"professional" the actual def is
"performed by person receiving pay".

So, technically, you could sell one
photograph [not "picture"] for $1.00
and you could call yourself a "professional".


But, in answer to your question,
Check out the "best answer" on this
and see if it can help you out.
Good luck and enjoy!

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

A professional photographer is one who can on demand produce images for clients on a day to day basis, whether they need 8x10 transparencies using an 8x10 view camera to shooting sports with a WiFi transmitter attached to their camera so the photo editor in the booth, can look at the thumbnails coming from the camera and pick some of the best to be sent to the publisher via a FTP server.

You have to ask yourself this question. Do I have all the skills necessary to use any camera, under any conditions, any where in the world, even if it is not my camera and still produce marketable images? If the answer is yes, then it is time to create an LLC, a website and start looking for clients.

ASMP is an organization that can make the business of photography less painful.

Look here to see what kinds of photography you may want to specialize.

http://www.asmp.org/findaphotographer/

A professional photographer is someone who can take pictures they way the client wants it. And also being able to advice on technical and creative aspects in photography, not just knowing how to use a camera and taking good pictures. As long as you can make a living out of photography, you are already a professional photographer. How good a professional you are, depends on how far you can sell yourself as one.

A professional photographer is someone who makes a living, or at least a significant income, from selling their photography. But you probably worked that out for yourself before asking the question. What I can't understand is, if you're creating interesting photographs with your idiot-proof camera, why you think you can't get out there and sell them. What do you think is stopping you? Get yourself a website and a portfolio and see if the world at large thinks your interesting photography is interesting enough to pay hard cash for.

First of all, just because somebody can USE a camera, doesn't mean they can take a good picture. If you gave the average vacationer an EOS 5D, they probably wouldn't do much good with it. Second of all, your question isn't very specific-I only found one question mark in here, and a "please read on" sign leading to text that doesn't really change how I'd answer your question. If you're having trouble selling, you're lacking one of two things, and hopefully not both: Business skills and talent.

Also, a professional photographer is someone who can make a living selling their own photographs.

You said, "These new cameras are becoming so advanced that any idiot can use them."--I would like to respond.

The opposite is true actually.

There are questions on this board that went something like, "How do you manually focus a (so-and-so-brand) lens?" or "I have (so-and-so-dSLR) and why can't I focus with the screen in the back like my (so-and-so-point and shoot camera.)" or "how do I remove my memory card?"

Many people think having an expensive camera will automatically make them a great photographer. If that were the case, a Stradivarius would transform me into Joshua Bell.

A professional photographer is defined as someone whos sole job and income is photograpy, there is no club you just hop in, it comes with years of experience and practice and growing clientel, if you shoot people, or publsihing if you do landscape and wildlife, until you have enough reputation and experience that it is your soul job.