Just a matter of degree

[dasuess]

The term "professional" is just a matter of degree. Just means you got paid, could be a lot... Could be a little.

Just received a check for $26.35 from Blurb for selling 5 copies of my book.

I'll try not to spend it all in one place.

 

[uinku]

Isn't the general definition is a person whose primary source of income is from whatever line of work (i.e. their "profession")?

 

[dasuess]

Yeah, that's another definition. And with that definition, I will never be a "professional" photographer.

 

[Luke_Y]

Isn't the general definition is a person whose primary source of income is from whatever line of work (i.e. their "profession")?

That is generally my definition for most professions. I usually also hold that an actual living must be made, e.g., if your "primary source of income" is photography, and you earned $350 last year, you would not be a "professional photographer" in my opinion.

So, a person who takes photographs with the intent to earn money doing so, but falls far short of earning a living, would be simply "a photographer". As opposed to a "hobbyist" or "enthusiast".

But, an "artist" need not earn an actual living to be an "artist" right? Although you don't hear the term "professional artist" much...

Another good test would be; What do you put on the bottom of your TAX form every year? That would be your "profession".

But, everything doesn't need a label either. 🙂

 

[dasuess]

That's makes sense... Call me an "artist" then, who is looking forward to the day (soon) that I won't care about "earning a living" since I will be retired ;-)

 

[celluloidprop]

You could divide it into two meanings:
a professional photographer - one who earns their living via photography
professional photography - photography for money

One need not be the former to do the latter.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Congratulations on the sales of your book!

 

[dasuess]

Thanks Chris, but I think the 5 copies were all purchased by members of my Aunt Betty's book club who more interested in seeing her poems than my pictures. But it was a lot of fun working on it with my aunt. And we've both received a lot of positive comments.

 

[zwarte_kat]

I am a professional now, trying to become an artist.

 

[dasuess]

I thought about my original post, which was a bit tongue-in-cheek. I'm not a "professional photographer", but I am a photographer and have been for over 40 years. I love what I've done and what I am doing now. Not having to earn a living with my photography allows me to do whatever pleases me, not someone else. Life is good...