What do I have to do to be considered a photographer or a professional photographer?
I am looking to start into the business of photography and I already have all of the equipment and I’m self teaching myself, to do photography.( I don’t have the money to do any schooling right now) So can I call/consider myself a photographer or a professional photographer, without going to school? I really want to do this and I’ve already used family and friends and landscapes to start my photo portfolio and they’ve all told me that my pictures are just as good as any other photographer around my area.
I want to say thank you to everyone who has answered so far and any more suggestion and answers would be appreciated. My main reason for this question is so if someone ask me what I consider myself I know what I can call myself. So I can safely call myself a photographer?
I don’t know but go for your dream. Good luck and hope to see some of your photos.
I think that you should begin by getting yourself a web site. In other words expose your works to the world. If you go with you can get a site for about $50 with an annual renewal cost of just $40. This will make your work available to anyone with a computer connected to the Next, try and display some of your work in local businesses. Coffee shops are a good place to begin. You are a pro when you don’t have to punch a clock somewhere to keep the lights on.
If you are successful making money and having return clients then you can consider yourself a professional strictly speaking.
However when a person or company hires a photographer, they have certain expectations. Usually it takes a few years of formal education and more years of experience to become a competent pro.
I would not think you are going to count on landscapes to provide you your income.
There are two you can do before you get your schooling.
First see if you have a local chapter of ASMP within an hour or so from where you live and attend (as a guest) some of their meetings and talk to some of the members there. The should be very helpful in answering a lot of your questions.
Secondly become an assistant with a well known photographer in your area (or outside your area if you like) and spend a few years learning some of the ins and outs of the business of photography as well as the technical aspects that will help you solve your clients problems when it comes to shooting under unusual circumstances (for most people like photomicrography, IR, low light, scientific, industrial. to name a few).
For now, take a look at what some of the pros are shooting by going to the Black Book and spending some time browsing.
By some accounts, if you make any money as a photographer, you are a “pro” although the conventional wisdom would be that you should earn at least half your income from photography to be a “pro”. This is the criteria applied by Canon Professional Services for example, when signing up for this service which gives you access to faster maintenance turn around time and other pro type benefits for the working photographer.
The real answer would be that only you can decide. I do encourage you to comply with all legal requirements and price your work accordingly for the marketplace. This way, you will find much more acceptance from other pros. Good luck!
In the USA you can call yourself anything you want to in the photography business. There is no legal definition. I’ve looked at quite a few websites of “Professional” photographers and often wish there was a legal designation to protect some of those poor newlyweds from these celluloid butchers.
A good question…I have a BFA in Photography, worked hard for 5 years to get my specialized degree…and still don’t quite consider myself a professional..even though others disagree with me. I think when a person has the education, be it academic or from real world experience, and makes a living from their craft, then they can consider themselves a professional. Regardless, I think that if you embark into the world of photography, I wouldn’t do it for money, sure there’s lots to be had, but it can be a bear to find it and get it. Make sure you’re doing it because you love the art and want to make photos that make you happy…and not necessarily make money.
Happy shooting!