How do you identify a pro photographer?

[Shotbycurtin]

My aforementioned Fuji gear friend has finally seen the light and gone for the one body one lens approach with Canon. No more dragging the kitchen sink around. Though he did make noises about a Fuji back up.. but I guess it’s about saving face.. He’s still stuck in manual mode but we’re working on that..

 

[SwampGrizz]

I’m REALLY glad I found this site and this thread. I’m new here, and I’ve found that you folks take photography seriously, but don’t take yourselves too seriously. I have spent a good amount of time on You Tube, and I’ve had it up to my gills with all the self important gear bros and VERY SERIOUS ARTISTS. This site has what I believe to be the proper mix of competent, useful help, and a great sense of humor. I look forward learning from you, and laughing with you. Thanks!
Dale

 

[Dean Wilson]

Hello Dale Yawn and welcome.

Regarding titles and Name Tags, I consider myself a Serious Hobbyist. Definition: expensive gear and have Zero interest in making money at it, who also doesn't view it as GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), but SKI (Spending Kids Inheritance). I also act like everyone in that I don't take myself serious either, as I do not have a sense of humor (or Humour, for those so inclined).

 

[Only RF]

Hello Dale Yawn and welcome.

Regarding titles and Name Tags, I consider myself a Serious Hobbyist. Definition: expensive gear and have Zero interest in making money at it, who also doesn't view it as GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), but SKI (Spending Kids Inheritance). I also act like everyone in that I don't take myself serious either, as I do not have a sense of humor (or Humour, for those so inclined).

Yes. I also consider myself very serious hobbyist. Sometimes I don't shoot for months but I'm on forums every day and keep up to the latest things both gear and app wise. I just dropped a pile on cash on new 27" Mac Display which I didn't really need. I was using my old 27" iMac 5K as a monitor with my Mac Mini but there were little quicks with the app I used for it. Display was fine.

I don't know about that. You have provided a chuckle now and then.

 

[SwampGrizz]

I think there is a distinction between a serious hobbyist and a self important very serious artist like I have been wading through on the internet. From what I’ve seen on here, the serious hobbyists here have made some very fine art. I guess art is in the eye of the beholder, and far be it for me to pass judgement on anybody else’s vision. There is some really bizarre stuff out there, though.

 

[BasilFawlty]

I recently snapped this at a rally in Sacramento CA. Pro or no?

View attachment 37098

Must be a pro: he has a Billingham bag!

 

[Only RF]

Or this. I looked long at a dual strap when I shot events on the side but never pressed the buy button.

Photography Harness & Leather Goods U.S.A. | Hold Fast

HoldFast was born from a sense of adventure & the belief that history is waiting to be captured and made. Shop our leather goods made in the U.S.A.

holdfastgear.com

 

[Archibald]

Back in the olden days, when I roamed around looking for pictures, I figured I had to be equipped to deal with any situation (most, anyway). That meant taking the full range of gear with me. I didn't want to come across a compelling scene or subject and not not be able to photograph it. Gadget bags were for keeping all the photo gadgets in one place. That was handy, and that's how I went out, ready for anything.

My gadget bag was very compact, yet held my Spotmatic and 5 prime lenses, along with filters and extension tubes.

I don't think I looked like a pro or wannabe pro. I once got into a venue where photography was not allowed. I told the official my bag was a lunch bag, and he believed me.

Nowadays I go out shooting for a specific genre. I'll put on the macro lens and macro lighting and hunt for bugs. If I come across a sunset or a rare warbler, too bad. I'll miss it.

Times change, and methods change too.

 

[Dean Wilson]

Back in the olden days, when I roamed around looking for pictures, I figured I had to be equipped to deal with any situation (most, anyway). That meant taking the full range of gear with me. I didn't want to come across a compelling scene or subject and not not be able to photograph it.

The last time I tried this was with all my gear in a 40L (STUFFED!) bag hiking "Misery Ridge Trail", while it's only a four mile hike and 1150 ft elevation gain, for an old man with asthma it was an adventure, and yeah, the best photos were taken from below.

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[THXGEEK]

For another perspective - How to Spot an Amateur.

This guy has a very interesting take on photography. While I don't agree with all his opinions, he does maintain a practical philosophy that we all need from time-to-time.

 

[tpatana]

There are times I know what I am out to shoot, say night photography I'll being just a couple lenses and one camera body. However, if it's a place I've never been to before then I pack 2 camera bodies, 5 lenses, filters et cetera.

Regarding titles and Name Tags, I consider myself a Serious Hobbyist. Definition: expensive gear and have Zero interest in making money at it, who also doesn't view it as GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), but SKI (Spending Kids Inheritance). I also act like everyone in that I don't take myself serious either, as I do not have a sense of humor (or Humour, for those so inclined).

Dean basically responded for me. There's times when I bring just one body and one lens if I know exactly what's happening. Often fashion shows you have no idea about the venue, runway, the lights or where you can stand, so I bring big bag with 2 bodies and 3-5 lenses. Used to bring lights too but modern bodies I trust high ISO and prime lenses even for dungeons.

But still very serious hobbyist. Although last week applied for press pass for the biggest event in 2026 for my sports.

 

[Only RF]

While fast primes are preferableI I never think twice shooting low light and high ISO with slow lenses.

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[Only RF]

These days I only have an R6II, RF 24-105 F4,100-500 and a 1.4. I had the RF 16mm 2.8f for about a year. Light, cheap and great IQ but I hated carrying extra lenses and changing them so I sold it. I just pan or crop out the top and bottom for scenic shots at a distance.

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[Bryan Conner]

I guess that back in the 2000s, before moving to Germany, when I had my own photography business earned about 50% of my income from photography that I was technically a pro photographer. But, I never really considered myself as one. I always secretely felt like I was impersonating a pro photographer and was lucky enough to be nice enough for people to pay me to shoot their weddings/portraits etc..

At both weddings, as well as when shooting softball/baseball tournaments as the official photographer, I would have people come up to me and look at my camera and say "you must be a professional because that is a big camera." I am not sure if I was ever able to respond to that other than saying "thanks".

I did however, participate in a lot of forums as well as attend PPA events where I met some real pro photographers that were really good people and very humble and helpful as well as got to meet a lot of people who were completely "anally influenced" and arrogant if you know what I mean.