What Constitutes Being a Professional Photographer?

Many years ago after having children I like many others found myself desiring to photograph them. This was before the world of digital cameras. I began with my small point and shoot Kodak using color and on some occasions black and white film. Oh the memories of running to the local market with my rolls of film, filling out the information on each package, dropping it in the slot and eagerly anticipating the delivery of my prints and negatives!

Years later my family and I  moved to one of the most beautiful places in the country just blocks from the ocean.  During our walks and bike rides on the beach I began to notice throngs of  local surfers at the jetty here in Ponce Inlet, Florida, especially during hurricane season when the swells have been known to reach up to 12 feet!  I found myself  mesmerized by this amazing action sport that I started to bring my pocket size Kodak Z915 complete with a 10x optical zoom.  I know, I know, you’re probably thinking “what in the world! What kind of action shots can you capture with this tiny little camera?” I thought the same thing until I came home and loaded the images on my computer. I must say I was pleasantly surprised! I found that I had actually captured some pretty amazing shots with this tiny camera!  As I saw the clarity of my photos, I decided to share them with others, especially our local surfers by creating a page on facebook titled: “The SURF Life of Ponce Inlet, FL”.  Not long after I submitted my work to a local surf magazine: “Local’s Only” and they published 3 of my surf photos in their May/June 2010 issue.  I realized then that this is what I wanted to do during my spare time which can often consist of a couple hours a day during favorable surf.  Two years later I decided to purchase a more powerful camera that captures even more professional images.

So what constitutes being a professional photographer?  Does one have to attend photography school to be considered a professional? Can one study this profession in their own home and hone their craft by trial and error?  To be a “professional photographer” does one need to purchase a camera and lenses that cost thousands of dollars? Can you be considered a professional photographer if you do it only as a hobby?  I remember years ago desiring to be a writer, I knew it was inside of me to write even though I chose to be a stay-at-home mom. I searched our local library for books on what it takes to be a writer and found a woman author that encouraged women like myself to do what was in my heart to do. She encouraged her readers to get published, even if you didn’t make a dime for your literary work. She instructed us to write one to two paragraphs about a previously published article  and submit them to our local newspaper editorial section.  She said if your pieces are selected and printed then we were considered a “published” writer even if you didn’t get paid for it.  When I took her advice and submitted work, they were published! This instilled confidence in me to continue to do what I enjoyed. I was later published and paid for my work in local magazines.  I was even given credit as a contributing editor in one of those magazines.

You may be thinking, “What does this have to do with photography?” Everything! No matter what it is you aspire to do, if you have the desire, passion and more importantly,  if you believe in yourself you can accomplish anything in life and you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to do it! During my online research I have read numerous articles by many photographers (some of which are very successful)  encouraging other photographers to do what’s in their heart and to not compare their work with others. I remember one photographer who specializes in newborn photography saying that she owns all the fancy expensive equipment for lighting but no longer uses them because she has found that natural lighting makes for the best newborn portraits. She and many others like her say to photograph by windows and door walls that have the brightest light.  You have no idea how that encouraged me as I was preparing for my very first newborn session!

Even though I do not photograph as a full time profession, I do consider myself to be a “professional” Why? Reason one, I love to do it! And because of my passion for photography, I aspire to provide the best photo’s for my clients. I strive to improve each and every time. I study the art as often as I can. I love learning from other professionals who have been doing it much longer than I have and I appreciate that they are honest and share from their own mistakes and triumphs.  I am not saying that you should not take a class or two. If that is something that you desire to do then by all means do it! But if you’re like me and you don’t have that kind of time or money, then study on your own. The internet is full of helpful information in the world of photography.

Remember to be who you are as a photographer! Follow your heart and always be willing to improve. But don’t feel pressured, move and learn at your own pace.  Also, try not to get caught in the competitiveness of the industry by comparing your work and equipment with others. Be content with what you have now.  And remember to always have fun!     See what I’m up to on Facebook at Nina Tidwell Photography