"professional photographer"---no you're not

[RL...]

I've never agreed with that definition of professional that people apply to photography. To me, a professional is someone who's mastered a craft. It implies you're skilled at whatever it is you're doing. Otherwise, you wouldn't be getting paid for it. It's just with photography, the general consumer thinks anything that comes out of a DSLR is a good photo based on the IQ alone. Hence why you have these CL ads posted by "professional" photographers getting paid for mediocre work.

This goes back to my example of being a mechanic. So if I read a book and learn to program computers does it make me a professional computer programmer? Nope. If I learn to play the piano does it make me a professional piano player? If I learn how to cook badass foods does it make a a professional cook? The list goes on... So learning how to take a decent pic doesn't make one a professional photographer.

[Kamikaze]

This goes back to my example of being a mechanic. So if I read a book and learn to program computers does it make me a professional computer programmer? Nope. If I learn to play the piano does it make me a professional piano player? If I learn how to cook badass foods does it make a a professional cook? The list goes on... So learning how to take a decent pic doesn't make one a professional photographer.

But just because the majority of one's income is from whatever it is they're doing shouldn't be the sole factor in deeming one a professional. They can be under-qualified and still make money from it.

Would you go to a doctor just because he/she is making money? I would hope the fact they know what they're doing would be a consideration.

[David88vert]

But just because the majority of one's income is from whatever it is they're doing shouldn't be the sole factor in deeming one a professional. They can be under-qualified and still make money from it.

Would you go to a doctor just because he/she is making money? I would hope the fact they know what they're doing would be a consideration.

From the dictionary:
Professional - a person who earns a living in a sport or other occupation frequently engaged in by amateurs
Amateur - a person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons

I would hope that people research the background of anyone that they might hire, and choose appropriately. Target photographers are professionals, as in that is their source of income, but it is unlikely that they would know how to properly photograph a wedding event. Different skills are needed in different areas.