Browncoat
Senior Member
ohkphoto brings up some excellent points, and I think they are at the very heart of the matter.
I agree with your definition of a pro photographer: one who earns 50% or more of their income from selling services. It has nothing to do with gear, skills, or having a DBA. If you're a professional anything, you're paid for what you do. Just like with pro athletes, some are paid more because their skill sets are more highly valued or it is dictated by the local economy. For example, a small town studio may rake in more income because they are the only place around. The same photographer in a bigger city might not even be able to start a business due to the level of competition.
To get paid to do what you love and start a small business is part of the American Dream for many people. Someone can be the world's best photographer and the world's worst businessman at the same time. It's a dangerous combo, and I see a lot of it. It's one thing to run a hardware or grocery store, and quite something else when the product you sell is driven by creativity, vision and passion. So many seem to forget that regardless of how they feel about the product they're offering, that alone doesn't pay the bills. It only matters what paying clients think and are willing to pay.
I agree with your definition of a pro photographer: one who earns 50% or more of their income from selling services. It has nothing to do with gear, skills, or having a DBA. If you're a professional anything, you're paid for what you do. Just like with pro athletes, some are paid more because their skill sets are more highly valued or it is dictated by the local economy. For example, a small town studio may rake in more income because they are the only place around. The same photographer in a bigger city might not even be able to start a business due to the level of competition.
To get paid to do what you love and start a small business is part of the American Dream for many people. Someone can be the world's best photographer and the world's worst businessman at the same time. It's a dangerous combo, and I see a lot of it. It's one thing to run a hardware or grocery store, and quite something else when the product you sell is driven by creativity, vision and passion. So many seem to forget that regardless of how they feel about the product they're offering, that alone doesn't pay the bills. It only matters what paying clients think and are willing to pay.