The title of a professional photographer has nothing to do with making money. The fact that you make money does not make you a professional photographer Just because someone has a website that says they are a professional photographer, just because they have a business card that says they are professional, just because they have tons of the latest, coolest, most expensive gear, and just because they make their living with that website and business card and gear - doesn't mean they are professional. I have met hundreds of photographers in my career who met all of these qualifications, and they didn't last very long. For some, it was because their work wasn't that good. For others, it was because they sucked at running a business. Most who failed - failed because they didn't understand this... Professional is an attitude. Professionalism is a behavior. Professional is a standard. Being a professional - It is the way in which you approach your work. It is the amount of effort that you put into educating yourself and knowing your gear like an athlete knows theirs. It is the amount of self-motivated learning that you do - not just in the beginning of your career but throughout your entire career. It's the amount of practice that you do to sure up and improve your techniques. It is the amount of research that you put in before you take the shot. You maintain the quality standards before, during, and after the shoot. It's the follow-up that you do with your clients. It is definitely the relationships that you build. And most importantly - being a professional is how you treat your subjects and clients. If you are a professional - people matter. That's what a professional is. So take this photography tip: Instead of asking someone else when and if you can call yourself a professional - go take a long look in the mirror and answer the question yourself. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DON'T MISS OUT ON MORE WAYS TO LEARN MY WEBSITE: https://www.JoeEdelman.com This includes my portfolio, over 300 articles, and interviews! WANNA SEE MY GEAR? https://www.joeedelman.com/my-photography-gear - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LET'S CONNECT! Follow on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/joeedelman/ Follow on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/thejoeedelman/ Follow on THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@joeedelman Follow on X / TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/joeedelman Check my boards on PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/thejoeedelman/ Connect on LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejoeedelman/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FTC Disclosure: No sponsors have paid for or provided equipment or material shown in this video. #ishootpeople #joeedelman