Is “Professional” dressed in fancy clothes and big words, defined by price tags and age?
The word professional is commonly debated. Especially in the field of photography, there are a variety of skill levels and a ton of opinions tossed around regarding the issue. Personally, I believe that we are all beginners at one point in our lives so it’s nice to give others a break and lend a hand….and later, with the characteristics below a person transitions from amateur to professional. Whether it’s golf, writing, painting, or anything that someone can engage in as a hobbyist…..there are several careers that experience this transition.
What point is that?! And how can it be defined?!
I ask myself this very same question quite often. Because in all honesty, there was a point in which I truly struggled to answer the question, “What do you do for a living?” And I suppose it was only within the past year that I truly felt confident saying, “I am a ‘professional’ wedding photographer.”
I have seen on photography forums and heard in person this term discussed in great detail and the truth is…there are several things that separate an amateur from a professional. The topics and the differences can be debated but in my opinion, these are a few things that can help you become more distinguished as a professional. DISCLAIMER: These thoughts are MY opinions and MY beliefs. If you don’t agree, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. If you agree, give me a Internet High Five. 🙂 These are in no particular order:
*Conforming to the Standards of a Profession: I think the simplest way to determine the difference, at least in the world of photography, is to refer to the standards of the profession. National organizations such as PPA and WPPI as well as local organizations such as the APPG, ensure that photographers are following the standards of the photography profession and the law. With this being said, a professional can be defined as a photographer that pays their sales tax to both the state and the parish, is registered as an official business (such as an LLC with the Secretary of State), and posseses a Federal Tax Identification # that they use to pay their taxes at the end of every year. It is someone who pays to shoot on locations and follows the rules of the profession.
When I first set out to start my business, I met with an accountant and did all that I could to ensure that I was running a legitimate business. If this is something that you are looking to do in your field, whether it be photography or something other than this, contact a professional attorney and/or accountant to assist you with setting up your business.
*Participating for Livelihood: I’ve seen the word “professional” defined in this manner more than once. And I must admit, when I began learning about photography and shooting I worked for another photographer until I really began shooting on my own. After finishing my masters of Architecture and opened my business, I approached things in a whole new light. This was now my means of income and so, I do feel that I dedicate my time and my efforts with an intensity different than the way I approached my work while in school.
Fortunately for me, I’ve chosen a career that I LOVE. 🙂
*How You Treat Your Clients: Professional should radiate through EVERYTHING you do. Whether it’s answering a phone call, an email, writing a hand-written note, or speaking to someone over the phone or in person, you should treat your clients in a way that YOU would want to be treated. I suppose our kindergarten teachers were teaching us a lifelong lesson when they’d say things like, “Treat others how you want to be treated.” This also applies to their friends and family members as well.
Another wonderful saying is, “Under Promise, Over Deliver.” GENIUS! I want a photographer for my wedding that makes the effort to know my family, the effort to remember their names, the effort to check on me if I’m nervous or anxious. Someone who cares and puts forth 110% is a professional because they are treating their clients with the respect that they deserve.
*The Way You Present Yourself: While in architecture school, I learned very quickly that in order to be given any sort of credit or validity, no matter how hard I had worked on my projects or how much effort I put into the final product….I had to look as nice as the work I stood before. I was to hang it on the wall straight and mount it on gator board, not foam core…because a board that bent was unacceptable and looked down upon. Sure, some people may disagree, but I believe that things like saying, “Yes Ma’am.” and wearing appropriate/professional attire will take you far in life.
My mom always told me “It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.” This is probably one of the BEST things I learned from that super intelligent lady. 😉
*Skill Level: This is the tricky party, especially when it comes to an occupation that is subjective and not defined by testing and intern hours. To be quite honest, this is the part that I struggle with the most personally, because I feel like I can ALWAYS do better. I can ALWAYS learn more. And so for me, when I hesitate in calling myself a “Professional” this is why. However, I do realize that I have come a LONG way from where I started. And based on personal assessments of where you are and the assessments of those around you, I believe that you can learn to distinguish what is good and what is not good….when it comes to your work.
*Experience: Experience is probably one of the biggest factors in determining what a professional looks like because it’s something that simply cannot be given but earned. Experience comes with LOTS of lessons….and hopefully, lessons that can stick with you throughout a career. When I think back on the weddings and portrait sessions I’ve photographed, I KNOW that I have learned AT LEAST one thing every time I was hired for a shoot. I have learned to deal with different types of personalities, when to be loud and quiet, what to say (and that all deals with the social aspect of photography). In addition to this, I’ve learned more about my camera, my settings, shooting in unique lighting condition environments, and I know that this separates the work that I used to do from the work I’m doing now. As I continue to grow and to learn from experiences, I’m sure I will continue to become better and better at this craft.
*Professional Equipment: Although I do not believe this is the only thing that separates a professional from an amateur I do believe it is important. EXTREMELY important. Showing up to shoot a wedding with amateur equipment, although potentially possible, is probably not the best idea. Having the equipment necessary to do the job and to do it well is imperative to the point below: delivering a quality product. In addition, equipment is bound to have it’s issues and there are times when it will not work properly…and so, having professional backup equipment is also a necessity.
Yes, I was once on a bridal shoot when my camera at the time (a D700) would not turn on. THANKFULLY, I had a backup D200. And although it worked fine for the rest of the bridal shoot, I made a decision that night to purchase an additional D700. Had I been at a wedding, I would not have felt comfortable shooting a wedding with the D200.
*Reliablity: A Professional is someone who is reliable and trustworthy. Yes, everyone makes mistakes but it’s what you do with the mistakes you make that seperate you from the rest. Returning phone calls in a reasonable time period, delivering on time, and being on time are just a few things that reflect a person’s reliability and allows your clients to trust you.
*Quality of The Product You Deliver: Let’s be honest, you can dress well, you can speak politely, but if the quality of the product isn’t there…..well, you can figure out the rest. It’s SO SO SO important to perfect your craft in whatever it is you do. In addition, the quality of the product that you finally deliver is the culmination of all the efforst you put forth throughout the process. It must be the final reflection of all that has happened throughout the process and will hopefully, leave your clients with a wonderful and lasting impression.
Yes…you really are seeing a stack of this many memory cards. Call it overkill…I call it having just enough: It’s anxiety medication for my nerves.
If you’re interested in reading more on my thoughts and things I’ve learned, check out this link for 10 Tips for Photography.
