I think it’s worth discussing how there are tons of people on YouTube who say that they’re professional photographers. But in truth, they’re not. I’m not claiming to be one, either. In fact, I haven’t claimed to be one in over 10 years. They’re saying this because they think it earns them more credibility but is actually just dishonest. In fact, most professional photographers don’t know how to use the camera gear from one camera system to another. If you put a Sony a1 into the hands of a photographer who’s been using the Canon 5D Mk IV for years, they wouldn’t know what to do. But they could still be a professional photographer without having the most recent gear. So here’s how you can spot a fake professional photographer.
What is a Professional Photographer?
By definition, a professional photographer is someone that makes their income through photography services. They are then paid for this service. For example:
- A wedding photographer books, shoots, and edits weddings.
- An event photographer does the same for events
- A photojournalist does gigs for newspapers, wire services, websites, magazines, etc.
- A landscape or street photographer is often paid because of the licensing and sales of their photographs. This can include prints.
What’s most important about this is how they’re claiming what they do on taxes. If they’re making taxable income from this work, then they could qualify as a professional photographer. If most of their taxable income comes from these things, then they’re a professional photographer. If some of their taxable income comes from it, then they’re a semi-professional. If they can’t claim any taxable income from these things, then they’re not professional photographers.
For the record, I’m not hating on Youtubers. But call a spade a spade, please.
Ask for the Invoices
One of the biggest things that any professional photographer does is invoicing. There are typically contracts that them and a client sign. Then, sometimes, there are retainer fees. After that, an invoice is sent and paid to the photographer. If someone can’t show you an invoice, then they’re probably not a professional photographer of any sort. They’re probably making their money being an influencer or a content creator. They’re not the same thing as being a photographer.
Annie Leibowitz is a photographer. Vanessa Joy is a photographer who also uses a large social media presence to do her work. It’s possible to be both. I’m not sure if Vanessa is making most of her income these days through hired gigs or content; but at least at one point she was.
David Hobby, too, was a photographer to most of us. But these days, he probably makes most of his money in real estate instead.
Ask about Print Sales and Licensing.
Another way that professional photographers make their money is through print sales and licensing. You can ask about receipts provided or sales data for these. Licensing is typically very lucrative to photographers if they’re licensing images to a big brand. Print sales, too, can bring them in a lot of money, depending on how they do it.
These are the things that define a professional photographer. I’m not saying that professional photographers can’t do other things. But it’s far different from being an educator about photography or a camera reviewer.
And we should learn to know how to be more discerning.