Professional photographer?

[mudflats]

I am curious as to what makes you a "professional photographer". My friend is 17 and has taken photographs better then the reptile books i read, and they considered professionals, just curious on this, thanks jon

[RepTylE]

Anyone can take a photography course and get a nice little certificate to show for it but making a name for yourself as a photographer means getting a body of work and actualy getting people to look at them. Some of the best pictures I have ever seen actually came about by experimentation and what you could call a happy mistake that came out looking interesting.
I think that if your friend got his work out there and worked at it he might make something out of it.
Just my opinion really I am nowhere near the class of photographer like we are discussing here, I just click away and hope for the best :)

[Stockwell]

I think simply, a "professional photographer" is an individual making his/her livelyhood from taking pictures.
A pro would be someone with years of experience, a portfolio of work that others have paid for, a reputation for excellence, and due respect and tenure in the field from which he/she is making a living.

[RepTylE]

There you have it :D

[BAZ]

Anyone can be a professional photographer but being a GOOD photographer (professional or not) is something else. I think first of all the person needs to be able to see things a certain way. Its pretty easy to set your digital camera to macro and click away... but its more difficult laying 10ft away from 3 mugger crocs on a sand bank to catch the sunlight reflecting from their eyes. I think a good photographer waits for the right moment and captures it. A good photographer has knowledge of his tools and knows how to make the camera and lenses work for him or her. A good photographer knows hows to use light whether it is natural or artificial. A good photographer goes that extra mile to get the shot. Im planning on becoming a good photographer myself... im getting there Im told but have a long long way to go I think.

[Big Mike]

I agree. A professional photographer would be someone who earns a living or at least a good portion of their income from photography.

That does not necessarily make someone a good photographer. There are plenty of moderately skilled photographers making lots of money shooting weddings and school kids.

As with any art form, being the most skilled and making the most money are miles apart. Being a good salesman/businessman is often more important than being skilled...when it comes to making a living with your art.

[KLReptiles]

If you don't make your living from it you're just an amateur.