What makes a Pro Tog?

Grimm

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17 Jan 2008 - 5:04 PM

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Please help me have better understanding of the following subjects.

First is what makes a photographer a pro? What is the difference between a Pro Tog and a Weekend Warrior (a word I saw in another thread). Is a Weekend Warrior who have the same skills as an average Pro but only occasionally do photography work less of a photographer?

Secondly, What is the acceptable way to become a Pro? If someone who have average skills wants to start to become a pro, should he: a) accept work for less than what an average Pro get? b) ask for the same amount an average Pro gets? or c) Do it for free?

I would like to someday be called a Pro Tog, but would want to do it in the most honest and honourable way. Should I just ignore what other Pros would say and do it as I see fit? Or let others dictate the way I will do my business.

If you are now a Pro, how did you start to become one?

I have a lot more questions regarding these subjects but would like to hear your inputs first. I know I still have a long way before I even start to look at photography as a source of income.Your inputs will surely be of consideration when I decide to choose my path to get there.

Thanks,
glenn

ZenTog

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17 Jan 2008 - 5:10 PM

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a Pro Tog is somebody who makes a living from his photography, they dont have to work in 9-5 midweek job, hence weekend warriers have to do the photography at the weekends,

being a weekend warrier is often a good way to start, keep the stability of a job to pay the mortgage, keep the teenagers in clothes

try to keep prices near to what the pros charge, you may want those prices to feed the family one day, undercutting creates havoc and bad feeling

get as good equipment as you can, then the change to full time will not be so expensive

I dont treat weekenders any different to other photographers, unless they get in my way or try selling to my customers!!

ZenTog

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17 Jan 2008 - 5:15 PM

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Am Tog instead

even funnier than weekend warriors is media students trying to blag into major sporting events with the colleges DLSRs!! havnt got a name for them apart from blaggers which is too kind really

Grimm

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17 Jan 2008 - 5:26 PM

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LOL Paul!
Seriously though, didnt everybody start the same way as the weekend warriors, Am Tog and blaggers. Should someone starting out just ignore this name calling and just get on with it regardless. Or maybe make up names for teritorial pros too! Say like a "bull tog" or " alligatogs" or something. LOL

John_Frid (e2 Member)

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17 Jan 2008 - 5:27 PM

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As joolsb says a pro is someone who earns all or most of their income from photography.

Whilst we may like to think being a pro also means that they posses a level of expertise and quality output that is recognisably superior to the average bod with a camera, this isn't always the case. Most do, but a significant minority don't. However, as long as they satisfy the income criteria they are legitimately pro.

I hadn't heard the term weekend warrior before, but I think joolsb has got it about right. However, some ams have great kit, produce excellent images and sell at a commercial price.

I'm not a pro and have never sold an image in my life (despite declaring a forlorn hope to do so on my website), however, I think someone trying to get into selling images needs to think carefully about what they charge.

My advice is not to undervalue your images (even when starting out). If you are wanting to be a pro then you must charge enough to cover your costs and make a profit. However, if you are only after a bit of 'pin money' where you have taken the shot anyway for your own pleasure and no profit is needed then maybe, just maybe, you can charge less. Only give images away to family or friends - and if you want to be a pro then why not charge them as well

keithh

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17 Jan 2008 - 5:35 PM

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fancy yer chances like?

mattw (e2 Member)

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17 Jan 2008 - 5:39 PM

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Quote: Thanks John! But your thinking is different from what others think. Specially from those who already are Pros. As far as I know from reading some of the forums, undercutting or charging less is a NO NO.

Not to their face no.

One of the hardest things for the aspiring pro is working out how much you can charge. It is a long learning curve


Quote: Fancy yer chances like?

Fetch me a step ladder, and I might be able to reach your knee cap. [boff!]

John_Frid (e2 Member)

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17 Jan 2008 - 5:43 PM

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I think I'm agreeing with you - as I said


Quote: My advice is not to undervalue your images (even when starting out). If you are wanting to be a pro then you must charge enough to cover your costs and make a profit.

Where I may differ is when being offered money for an image that was never taking for sale purposes and you aren't touting it as for sale. However, even here I say chagring less may, just may, be an option.

John