What Does It Take To Be A Professional Photographer

Posted by Lori Grimmett on Nov 3, 2011 in Blog | 1 comment

Because I own a paintbrush does that make me a painter?
Because I own a camera does that make me a photographer?

Asking a photographer what kind of camera they used is as helpful (to the uneducated) as asking Vincent Van Gogh what kind of paint he used.

So what makes someone a professional photographer?

I’m grounded in extensive and diverse education from multiple photography schools, knowing that fundamentals give me a strong foundation to build upon.
I know my equipment inside and out.
I have the ability to recognize the color, direction and quality of light and determine appropriate ISO, aperture and shutter speed at a moment’s notice.
I have a legitimate business, fully licensed and insured.
I don’t use consumer equipment to do a commercial job.
My camera doesn’t even have an Auto mode.
I understand the reciprocal relationship between aperture and shutter speed, and can use indicated and equivalent exposures or override them when necessary.
I know what an f-stop is, and what it’s stopping.
I know that 90% of the work is done before the shutter is released (not in post production).
I know what hard light is and when not to use it.
I understand reciprocity and adjust my exposure accordingly.
I have the ability to create strong, reinforced compositions amidst a changing scene.
I understand and apply color theory, harmony and ICC profiles.
I reap the benefits of studying the works of great artists, currently and before my time.
I know the difference between depth of field and field of view.
I understand lens focal length and innate depth of field, and use them to my advantage.
I upgrade my gear when it’s beneficial, not because a new model came out.
I know and use the zone system for my exposures because close enough is never good enough.
I know what a histogram is and how to use it.
I have my work critically critiqued by other professionals at the top of their game, (not by my friends and family).
I’m not afraid of hard work.
My images have been recognized, awarded and published in multiple countries across the world.
I am a masterful artist who paints with light.
I know the importance of previsualization and mental preparedness.
I photograph in my dreams.
I thrill at the thought of getting up at 2AM to photograph a summer sunrise.
I don’t head back because my feet hurt or mosquitoes are biting me.
Rain doesn’t stop me from photographing; it enhances the mood of my masterpiece.
I don’t give in; I find a way.
I show up prepared – mentally physically and spiritually.
I study and refine my skills over time, shunning the desire for instant gratification, and replacing it with the wisdom of preparation and the intelligence of patience.
I have mastered the ability to seamlessly blend my technical and creative skills until they appear effortless.
I am a photographer.