PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Decided to become a pro approx 20 years old, instead of going to art school. Rang up all local studios from the phone book. Rang them all (about 50) and got nowhere. Then one of the 'B's' (I rang in alphabetical order) rang me back said come in for a chat.

Ended up there for 12 months, in a local social photography studio..ie mostly portraits/weddings etc, but also some industrial work, based in the West Mids. Decided I hated social work but fancied the 'top end' ie advertising work.

Then went to full time photography college at West Bromwich College, passed with flying colours after 2nd year. Next 18 months spent phoning, writing to all studios within 50 miles of Birmingham, I wrote to each one every 2-3 months, sent over 400 letters. Worked for several advertising/industrial studios for free or little money.

Eventually got an interview with one of the larger advertising/ind studios in Birmingham. Worked there for a few years before becoming VERY bored of clueless clients telling me how to shoot stuff.

Finally left photography altogether and never picked up any camera for over a decade. Moved into sales/retail instead.

Finally returned to photography as an amateur about 9 years ago and like it much better...

cheers Steve.M.

Oh...forgot..decided photography must be one of the hardest of all professions to get into. Would I try it now? no way. Far too many others who think they have the ability to shoot for money..but most simply do not have the ability or application and far too many so-called clients far too willing to accept shoddy cheap work from people under-cutting 'proper' quality photographers.....

The problem with trying to become a pro is the very thing which makes make being a pro easy. Anyone can be a "pro", just buy a camera. There was a time when very few owned a camera, and getting your picture taken was a big deal. When 35mm came out, it made carrying a camera easyier. Before digital, you might go through a roll of film and keep one or two pictures,very expensive, much like buying a camera a longtime ago. I have taken over 1,000 pictures at one event and only kept a few. I sell my prints, not for profit, but to pay for my site, which is under construction. Most parents at school sporting events don't have a DSLR,, which means I can sell the pictures their point and shoot cameras can't capture. When DSLR's become common, I won't be able to sell anymore.

Hobby, hobby. Totally hobby.

Still, I have made some collages in kindergarden- portraits with names of each child on it. These are quite popular. Also some pics on same events there. But I do not profit with that. Just cover the costs.

But true it is, everyone has got a camera And for most of people for some reason its no difference: is the pic of good or bad quality, as far as their face can be recognized .... Who notices the difference, usually makes himself nice pics

"Anyone can be a "pro", just buy a camera"

...not so. A professional photographer is someone who earns 100% of his/her income from photography. By your definition we are all 'pro's', which is quite clearly nonsense.

I think the point BR Foster was making was that any mug can buy a camera and say they are a professional photographer - there are no real constraints or standards such as there are with accountants.

For me you can be a part time professional as it's about attitude and duty of care towards your customers/clients. But the term professional is much diluted these days - professional car wash indeed.

Mike