Comments on: The Differences Between Professional and Amateur Photographers http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers Marketing Your Photography Business Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:53:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jaclyn http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-7195 Jaclyn Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:25:59 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-7195 Tracey... that makes you an independent photographer. You're still professional in what you do but you don't only take pictures for a living. Tracey... that makes you an independent photographer. You're still professional in what you do but you don't only take pictures for a living.

]]> By: Tracey http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-6897 Tracey Wed, 11 May 2011 17:56:00 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-6897 All very valid points and something I've been discussing a lot as of late. The only point I would make is there are those of us who are by no means hobbyists, we have a substantial portion of our income coming in from the photography business however still have a full time job. I still pay submit and pay taxes on my photography business, I still have to account for every expense, and I still have to be serious about my trade. The only difference is, I don't have to live the life of a starving artist. My day job may pay my rent but my business, something I take very seriously, sustains itself. You don't need to suffer to be considered "professional." All very valid points and something I've been discussing a lot as of late. The only point I would make is there are those of us who are by no means hobbyists, we have a substantial portion of our income coming in from the photography business however still have a full time job. I still pay submit and pay taxes on my photography business, I still have to account for every expense, and I still have to be serious about my trade. The only difference is, I don't have to live the life of a starving artist. My day job may pay my rent but my business, something I take very seriously, sustains itself. You don't need to suffer to be considered "professional."

]]> By: Marcy http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-6896 Marcy Wed, 11 May 2011 16:14:19 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-6896 I find this supremely obnoxious. Its helpful to those who aren't professional to know the difference, but some of us don't make a full time living at it. Thus, we have more than one job yet still conduct ourselves professionally, file our taxes accordingly, and kick ass. Don't break it down to 'having to pay the mortgage'. I find this supremely obnoxious. Its helpful to those who aren't professional to know the difference, but some of us don't make a full time living at it. Thus, we have more than one job yet still conduct ourselves professionally, file our taxes accordingly, and kick ass. Don't break it down to 'having to pay the mortgage'.

]]> By: Andrea Matone http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-3632 Andrea Matone Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:27:37 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-3632 The days when I was photographing rusted nails and abandoned buildings are gone. Not to say that I don’t miss that as I remember those days as wonderfully creative and intense but nowadays I have to make sure that what I am shooting is somewhat commercial. This doesn’t mean that creativity is gone, it just needs to be funneled into something commercially successful. I started for example to apply creativeness to walking photo tours http://www.andreamatone.com/photo-tours/ in Rome, my hometown. I put into practice what I learned when shooting amateur stuff and the outcome was both stimulating from a photography point of view as well as successful. The thing is that marketing, blogging, promotion is hindering professional photography. While we spent endless hours behind our pcs, amateurs or semi-pro photographers are out there getting the shoots, taking great pictures, trying things out, experimenting with HDR and making break through steps while we have difficulties even finding just a few hours a week to take pictures. Those pictures need to be good otherwise the whole structure won’t hold. Here is what I tried to put together with what was left of my time in the world of wedding photography: http://www.andreamatone.com/wedding-photographer/ The days when I was photographing rusted nails and abandoned buildings are gone. Not to say that I don’t miss that as I remember those days as wonderfully creative and intense but nowadays I have to make sure that what I am shooting is somewhat commercial. This doesn’t mean that creativity is gone, it just needs to be funneled into something commercially successful. I started for example to apply creativeness to walking photo tours http://www.andreamatone.com/photo-tours/ in Rome, my hometown. I put into practice what I learned when shooting amateur stuff and the outcome was both stimulating from a photography point of view as well as successful.
The thing is that marketing, blogging, promotion is hindering professional photography. While we spent endless hours behind our pcs, amateurs or semi-pro photographers are out there getting the shoots, taking great pictures, trying things out, experimenting with HDR and making break through steps while we have difficulties even finding just a few hours a week to take pictures.
Those pictures need to be good otherwise the whole structure won’t hold. Here is what I tried to put together with what was left of my time in the world of wedding photography: http://www.andreamatone.com/wedding-photographer/

]]> By: mark at digital photo buzz http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-3503 mark at digital photo buzz Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:32:15 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-3503 Great points, I think the main difference is your photography pays the bills. And even though that does change things a bit, it still can be very, very enjoyable! After shooting for 10 years I have a bigger passion for shooting weddings than I ever did. Great points, I think the main difference is your photography pays the bills. And even though that does change things a bit, it still can be very, very enjoyable! After shooting for 10 years I have a bigger passion for shooting weddings than I ever did.

]]> By: Dana Goetz http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-3447 Dana Goetz Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:37:14 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-3447 Great points about making a living as a professional photographer. My first love is photography, but I learned marketing because no matter what you love you will have to market it at some point. I have the ability to place products in a sales pipeline and use a 1 click upsell software to sell products. If that is something that you feel could help you or any other professional photographer than we should have a chat. Keep the great blog posts coming. :) Dana Great points about making a living as a professional photographer. My first love is photography, but I learned marketing because no matter what you love you will have to market it at some point. I have the ability to place products in a sales pipeline and use a 1 click upsell software to sell products. If that is something that you feel could help you or any other professional photographer than we should have a chat. Keep the great blog posts coming. :) Dana

]]> By: David Brainard http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-2704 David Brainard Fri, 22 May 2009 01:42:37 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-2704 There is but one difference between an amateur and a professional photographer. The amateur makes a photograph and says, 'I hope this come out.' The professional makes a photograph and says,'This damn well better come out!' -30- There is but one difference between an amateur and a professional photographer.
The amateur makes a photograph and says, 'I hope this come out.'
The professional makes a photograph and says,'This damn well better come out!'

-30-

]]> By: Ray http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-2666 Ray Thu, 07 May 2009 03:01:48 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-2666 In response to Terry Smith" Terry" You are very correct. As you have already explained in being a pro Photographer. Never the less" It largely depends on what type of work one wants to do. If it is just Weddings, differnet methods and to direct and utilize your skills to suit this task are warranted as is with many other tasks and a number much more specialized photographic projects or jobs. Not everyone wants to do the Jobs that are indeed of need of a higher skill level. Cheers" Ray In response to Terry Smith"
Terry" You are very correct. As you have already explained in being a pro Photographer. Never the less" It largely depends on what type of work one wants to do. If it is just Weddings, differnet methods and to direct and utilize your skills to suit this task are warranted as is with many other tasks and a number much more specialized photographic projects or jobs.
Not everyone wants to do the Jobs that are indeed of need of a higher skill level.
Cheers" Ray

]]> By: Ray http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-2665 Ray Thu, 07 May 2009 02:48:55 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-2665 All true" But! The most important thing to be doing Pro Photography as a business is to have > PASSION for Photography! Passion equals a much bigger probability for top photography skills and a desire to want to make sure you have done your best. Many out there so called Professionaly self aclaimed do not reflect such work. One can see work such as wedding shots. Often i see in them more as a reflection of production work and wedding sequence rather than a good finished product. Then" They slug the Customer a large sum of money for it. I see great work out there done by Pros and self taught Pros and it is easy to see why. They are passionate about what they do. All true"
But! The most important thing to be doing Pro Photography as a business is to have > PASSION for Photography! Passion equals a much bigger probability for top photography skills and a desire to want to make sure you have done your best.
Many out there so called Professionaly self aclaimed do not reflect such work. One can see work such as wedding shots. Often i see in them more as a reflection of production work and wedding sequence rather than a good finished product.
Then" They slug the Customer a large sum of money for it.
I see great work out there done by Pros and self taught Pros and it is easy to see why. They are passionate about what they do.

]]> By: Erick @ DSLRBlog Photo Business Blog http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-2641 Erick @ DSLRBlog Photo Business Blog Sat, 02 May 2009 01:55:31 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-2641 Nice post. On your last point about it "feeling different," I'd say it can actually be a very hard transition. To some extent, the carefree joy of going out and taking pictures is replaces by a subtle (sometimes intense) feeling of stress and pressure to get the right shot. You HAVE to get it. I'd also like to say there's one other big difference, kind of related to commitment. While enthusiasts can go out and shoot what they want, pros have to stay focused, shooting deliberately and strategically within the niche field of their specialization. Nice post. On your last point about it "feeling different," I'd say it can actually be a very hard transition. To some extent, the carefree joy of going out and taking pictures is replaces by a subtle (sometimes intense) feeling of stress and pressure to get the right shot. You HAVE to get it.

I'd also like to say there's one other big difference, kind of related to commitment. While enthusiasts can go out and shoot what they want, pros have to stay focused, shooting deliberately and strategically within the niche field of their specialization.

]]> By: stephen http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-2594 stephen Mon, 13 Apr 2009 09:58:57 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-2594 Thank you for this article. Reminds me that I am not a professional, yet I have potential. Now to buckle down and get each step completed in order. Thank you for this article. Reminds me that I am not a professional, yet I have potential. Now to buckle down and get each step completed in order.

]]> By: Oscar http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-2579 Oscar Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:05:23 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-2579 This is such a great article. Someone tried to recently chase me out of a public venue that I frequent. They said that because I started selling my prints then I can't do the photo shoots anymore. Of course they have no foundation to make that kind of statement but it did prompt me to find something to support my standpoint. I'm a hobbyist according to every article I've found. Your post really articulates the difference between a pro and an amateur. To be honest, I think I would love to sell tons of my prints but I would never want to rely on this for my living. One, I don't feel like I can really pull it off. When I see some of the professional shots on the same subjects I shoot, I'm just so humbled by them that I wouldn't even dare compete in the pro arena. Two, I think photography is a real luxury item that suffers tremendously in tough economies, like the one we're in now. For me, it really is the thrill of getting that great shot. I love to see the people's smiles in their faces when they see a great picture I took of their pet and they get excited. I don't have "clients" and I think that's a great point. I don't go to take photos somewhere because I get paid to do it. I don't have to do this, I just love to do it. I go where I want and take photos, then if you'd like a copy you can get it from my site. Sounds like an amateur right? I hope so. Thanks so much for putting this out for the world. This is such a great article. Someone tried to recently chase me out of a public venue that I frequent. They said that because I started selling my prints then I can't do the photo shoots anymore. Of course they have no foundation to make that kind of statement but it did prompt me to find something to support my standpoint. I'm a hobbyist according to every article I've found. Your post really articulates the difference between a pro and an amateur.

To be honest, I think I would love to sell tons of my prints but I would never want to rely on this for my living. One, I don't feel like I can really pull it off. When I see some of the professional shots on the same subjects I shoot, I'm just so humbled by them that I wouldn't even dare compete in the pro arena. Two, I think photography is a real luxury item that suffers tremendously in tough economies, like the one we're in now.

For me, it really is the thrill of getting that great shot. I love to see the people's smiles in their faces when they see a great picture I took of their pet and they get excited.

I don't have "clients" and I think that's a great point. I don't go to take photos somewhere because I get paid to do it. I don't have to do this, I just love to do it. I go where I want and take photos, then if you'd like a copy you can get it from my site. Sounds like an amateur right? I hope so.

Thanks so much for putting this out for the world.

]]> By: tony http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-2206 tony Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:35:14 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-2206 I'm very grateful for this site and this article + the helpful comments (Terry, especially!) Taylor, if you take good photos and people enjoy them and congratulate you, consider yourself something of an artist! The pros will always be pros and their photos (and equipment!) leagues ahead of us mere mortals. But we should be glad we have a goft for capturing an image that gives pleasure to others. Some can paint, others play the violin, others make big bucks on Wall Street, let's all enjoy our gifts, but make sure we share them! After 20 years in teaching then preaching, I am on a kind of sabbatical and really enjoying marketing and selling my images from South America, Norway and the UK... Check out my latest efforts here http://www.framedphotos4all.com http://picasaweb.google.com/tony.somervell I'm very grateful for this site and this article + the helpful comments (Terry, especially!)
Taylor, if you take good photos and people enjoy them and congratulate you, consider yourself something of an artist! The pros will always be pros and their photos (and equipment!) leagues ahead of us mere mortals. But we should be glad we have a goft for capturing an image that gives pleasure to others. Some can paint, others play the violin, others make big bucks on Wall Street, let's all enjoy our gifts, but make sure we share them!
After 20 years in teaching then preaching, I am on a kind of sabbatical and really enjoying marketing and selling my images from South America, Norway and the UK...
Check out my latest efforts here
http://www.framedphotos4all.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/tony.somervell

]]> By: kalem http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-2035 kalem Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:22:34 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-2035 Great post and great comments. At one time, I found out, much too late, that "taking pictures for fun and creativity is one thing. Taking pictures because there are bills to be paid is 'something else' entirely." My love of photography soon became "high anxiety." I quickly "fell out of love" with photography. I've returned and I now know the difference. Your post is one that I wish I had read when I first started in photography. Anyway, I understand now and my love for photography has returned and "flourished!" More new photography enthusiasts must read this. Great post! Great post and great comments. At one time, I found out, much too late, that "taking pictures for fun and creativity is one thing. Taking pictures because there are bills to be paid is 'something else' entirely." My love of photography soon became "high anxiety." I quickly "fell out of love" with photography.

I've returned and I now know the difference. Your post is one that I wish I had read when I first started in photography. Anyway, I understand now and my love for photography has returned and "flourished!"

More new photography enthusiasts must read this.

Great post!

]]> By: Terry Smith http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-1989 Terry Smith Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:14:35 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-1989 These are all good points, espcially the business and marketing skills, but to really be a professional you have to be able to CREATE images on demand in any circumstance with any subject matter. This goes far beyond just snapping the camera when something that is obviously a good pictures happens to be in front of it. One of the most important skills to make that leap is previsualization, the ability to imagine precisely what you want to capture in a picture beforehand. Sometimes this means previsualizing a scene a few seconds before you adjust the elements within it, the lighting, and/or your own position to capture it. Other times it means previsualizing a scene in another country before you even arrive on location to shoot it and then capturing it exactly as you had planned. Plus, you have to back it up with the technical skills to make it happen. Amateurs tend to make an effort to improve their technical skills solely for the purpose of capturing a better exposure for whatever just happens to be in front of them. Professionals add technical skills to their toolbox and use them as a means to an end in achieving an previsualized goal. Previsualization brings together all of the creative side of professional photography: creativity + technical skills + research + hard work. For more on this topic, every photographer should be familiar with the late Galen Rowell's Created Images article originally published in Outdoor Photographer in September 1999. (His website does not allow me to link directly to the article, but you can <a href="http://www.mountainlight.com/articles.html" rel="nofollow">click here</a> and scroll down to it.) In it, he discusses his four-part visualization scale. Though he speaks in context of nature photography, the points of the article apply to all photographic genres. These are all good points, espcially the business and marketing skills, but to really be a professional you have to be able to CREATE images on demand in any circumstance with any subject matter. This goes far beyond just snapping the camera when something that is obviously a good pictures happens to be in front of it.

One of the most important skills to make that leap is previsualization, the ability to imagine precisely what you want to capture in a picture beforehand. Sometimes this means previsualizing a scene a few seconds before you adjust the elements within it, the lighting, and/or your own position to capture it. Other times it means previsualizing a scene in another country before you even arrive on location to shoot it and then capturing it exactly as you had planned.

Plus, you have to back it up with the technical skills to make it happen. Amateurs tend to make an effort to improve their technical skills solely for the purpose of capturing a better exposure for whatever just happens to be in front of them. Professionals add technical skills to their toolbox and use them as a means to an end in achieving an previsualized goal.

Previsualization brings together all of the creative side of professional photography: creativity + technical skills + research + hard work.

For more on this topic, every photographer should be familiar with the late Galen Rowell's Created Images article originally published in Outdoor Photographer in September 1999. (His website does not allow me to link directly to the article, but you can click here and scroll down to it.) In it, he discusses his four-part visualization scale. Though he speaks in context of nature photography, the points of the article apply to all photographic genres.

]]> By: Taylor Davidson http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-1988 Taylor Davidson Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:02:49 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-1988 As you point out, ability is one part; but effort, dedication, commitment and single-mindedness is a far more important differentiator between an amateur and a pro. I think "we" (okay, me) need to be more comfortable with the idea of being amateurs. The traditional definitions and dividing lines between amateur, professional, expert, leader, etc. are being more blurred by the day. And that's a good thing, in my mind. As you point out, ability is one part; but effort, dedication, commitment and single-mindedness is a far more important differentiator between an amateur and a pro.

I think "we" (okay, me) need to be more comfortable with the idea of being amateurs. The traditional definitions and dividing lines between amateur, professional, expert, leader, etc. are being more blurred by the day.

And that's a good thing, in my mind.

]]> By: AndyOrtega http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-1977 AndyOrtega Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:41:32 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-1977 I'm a semi-pro that shoots mostly on weekends. I'm a business owner with plenty of marketing experience. I noticed that there were tons of amateur photographers that blew me away as far as photography talent but didn't have a clue on how to market themselves. I'm still learning how to take good images and their still trying to figure out how I get business every weekend. I'm a semi-pro that shoots mostly on weekends. I'm a business owner with plenty of marketing experience. I noticed that there were tons of amateur photographers that blew me away as far as photography talent but didn't have a clue on how to market themselves. I'm still learning how to take good images and their still trying to figure out how I get business every weekend.

]]> By: Mellissa DeMille http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-1972 Mellissa DeMille Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:04:48 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-1972 Excellent post and underscores many of the reasons I have chosen to join a team of photographers rather than to continue to wear all of the hats of a sole proprietor. Excellent post and underscores many of the reasons I have chosen to join a team of photographers rather than to continue to wear all of the hats of a sole proprietor.

]]> By: Raymond http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-1956 Raymond Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:49:39 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-1956 All entirely valid points -- but none specific to photography I believe. I spent a large portion of my life as a IT consultant, and all this applies equally in that world. Yes there are lot of people who can fix your PC, but a pro will get it done predictably, consistently - and be making enough money to still be in business the next time you need help! All entirely valid points -- but none specific to photography I believe. I spent a large portion of my life as a IT consultant, and all this applies equally in that world. Yes there are lot of people who can fix your PC, but a pro will get it done predictably, consistently - and be making enough money to still be in business the next time you need help!

]]> By: Fotografo http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-1955 Fotografo Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:49:09 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-1955 Run a business is always a difficult way. To ba a photographer you need good skills and a lot of experience and strategic ideas. Run a business is always a difficult way.
To ba a photographer you need good skills and a lot of experience and strategic ideas.

]]> By: Udi http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-1953 Udi Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:00:40 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-1953 I think you are right on the mark. Every one can get a great shot. The question is can you deliver good consistent work? If you are consistent you are likely to get hired again (and have less white hair on your head). I think you are right on the mark. Every one can get a great shot. The question is can you deliver good consistent work?
If you are consistent you are likely to get hired again (and have less white hair on your head).

]]> By: Embassy Pro Books http://blogs.photopreneur.com/the-differences-between-professional-and-amateur-photographers/comment-page-1#comment-1951 Embassy Pro Books Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:19:59 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/?p=730#comment-1951 This blog post makes a lot of sense. I think many people don't realize what goes into being a sucessful anything. As you or your business gorws so don't your expenses and your photos or only as good as your last. This blog post makes a lot of sense. I think many people don't realize what goes into being a sucessful anything. As you or your business gorws so don't your expenses and your photos or only as good as your last.

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