Browncoat
Senior Member
Professional | Define Professional at Dictionary.com
The word "professional" has many meanings, and they're all subjective, depending on context. When we think of a professional football player for example, they are easily differentiated from those at the college or high school level. We think of NFL players like Peyton Manning or Richard Sherman, players who earn millions of dollars. But there are many more players who earn the league minimum. They are still paid professionals, but their value is lower. The same is true for any number of sports. Like pro athletes, pro photographers are paid for their work.
We also think of the "professions", such as doctors and lawyers. People who have a great deal of education and expertise. When most people refer to a professional photographer, it's in this context. "Professional" is also a definition of conduct, people who carry themselves in a specific way in business matters. This also applies to photographers.
Are there not lousy lawyers, doctors, and accountants? Substandard plumbers, carpenters, and bricklayers? Have you ever heard of medical malpractice or mistrials? BBB claims? Have you ever hired a contractor, and then had to pay someone else to fix the job? All of those professions (and dozens more) have one thing that photographers do not have: a recognized set of standards. Bar associations, medical boards, and building codes. Isn't the internet littered with hundreds of thousands of bad "pro" photographers? These are people who are getting paid to take bad photographs. Do customers make the distinction? Clearly not, or the bad photographer wouldn't be taking bad photos for very long, would he?
This continued discussion is wearing on my last nerve. We've had it at least a dozen times here, and it rages on across the internet on every other photography forum. It's pointless.
There is no quality standard associated with professional photography. Sure, some organizations like the PPA have their silly little accreditation programs so some 'togs can feel special and put a few letters after their name on business cards. Big whoop, it means nothing in the real world. I often wonder if other artists have this discussion on their boards. One of these days, I'm going to stumble across a sculpture or watercolor forum and see for myself. "You're not a pro because you use Brand X clay" or "Only real pros use camel hair paintbrushes instead of synthetic." Does that happen? Anyone know?
All we can do is maintain our own quality standards and try to distinguish ourselves from everyone else. Putting labels on what someone else does isn't going to do a thing except generate another discussion on photography forums.
