I've often heard the question 'what is a professional photographer?' When people hear the term 'Professional Photographer', they probably think of the guy on the sidelines of an NFL game getting the game winning touchdown picture, or the woman at the press conference snapping the next Presidential candidate or the people in Hollywood snapping stars coming out of bars and restaurants.
I wonder how many people think of the guy at the wedding reception, or taking the family portrait or even on the beach shooting the sun rise as a professional photographer? Or what about the photographer who dedicates all his work for charity? The truth is, they are all professional photographers.....at least as far as I am concerned.
A professional photographer doesn't just go out and shoot pictures than sell them. The actual 'shooting' is only part of the job. Let's face it, anyone can go out and buy a DSLR with a kit lens and as soon as they walk out of the store call themselves a professional photographer. But a true professional photographer does more than just snap pictures. They consider the composition of the picture. The style of the picture. What will work or what will make a beautiful picture look less than perfect. I've seen many pictures from 'professional photographers' where a tree is growing out of someones head. Or an engagement photo that is slightly out of focus or a number of other imperfections.
Then there is photo re-touching. Whether it is done in Photoshop or other software, the professional photographer will make sure every photo is at it greatest potential for the client. Again, I have seen pictures from 'professional photographers' where the color is off or the white balance is way off. And the professional photographer takes care and pride in his work and it is not just all about the money. So the next time the photographer at the wedding asks you to say cheese, or you see a photographer setting up her tripod on the beach or just walking around town taking pictures you can bet that they are a professional photographer.
