You probably know someone who takes really good photographs or who owns an expensive camera. You might even have a friend or relative who has been paid to take photographs in the past. Still, if everyone who owned a DSLR camera or who could take a great picture of a sunset was called a ‘professional,’ the number of professional photographers in Toronto would probably outnumber the amateurs.
I’ve talked in the past about the importance of hiring professional photographers for newborn portraiture. Considering the huge volume of so-called professional photographers flooding the market today, I’d like to offer a little more explanation as to what actually makes a photographer professional.
Hobby vs. Livelihood
Anyone can take photographs in their spare time. They might even be passionate about anything and everything having to do with photography, or take pictures of weddings and families on the weekends to make extra money. Professional photographers are also passionate about photography, but so much so that they’ve decided to make it their livelihood, receiving regular financial compensation for the photos they take.
This is where it’s evident that a person’s skill behind the lens isn’t the only thing that qualifies them as a professional. Professional photographers commit many hours each month to marketing their businesses, both online and off, to finding new clients and devising new ways to improve their service offering. Professional photographers network with other photographers and give back to their communities by volunteering for worthwhile organizations like Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a non-profit with which I’ve volunteered for the past five years.
What’s more, to be able to provide portrait services that are consistent in quality and of a high enough calibre that people continue to hire them, professional photographers in Toronto and beyond commit themselves to perfecting their craft through continuous learning. No matter where the sun is or how tired they are, a professional photographer knows how to use their skills to capture quality images.
As you can see, there’s a lot more to being a professional photographer than knowing a thing or two about composition or having mastery over Photoshop.
Professional Photographers Are Always Working to Improve their Skills & Résumés
While an amateur photographer will likely have little more in the way of training than a couple of weekend workshops, professional ph
otographers continue to take courses and work to receive accreditations that are proof of their skill and authority in the industry. When they choose professional photographers, Toronto families are reassured that what they’re about to invest in has been evaluated and approved by the photographers’ peers, not just given the seal of approval by friends and family in Flickr.
We’re Certified by Organizations that Approve of Our Work
Where things can get really confusing for people shopping for professional photographers in Toronto or any other city, is that not every certification or designation carries the same weight. While certification from the National Association of Child Photographers (NACP) just requires you to pay a fee, organizations like the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) only grant certifications to those who have submitted several samples of their work for approval from a board of examiners. Before committing to hiring a photographer, check to see that they are actually certified and don’t just hold memberships.
We Don’t Just Take Advantage of the Trust People Put in a Title, We’re Committed to Being Professional
Professional photographers, like myself, not only put your safety and satisfaction first because our livelihoods depend on it, but we also have the skills and training to ensure your safety and satisfaction. It’s true that at 
first glance the lines differentiating a professional photographer from a passionate amateur are a bit blurred. But think of it this way: If someone loves to cook, and maybe they regularly cook for others and have even catered a friend’s dinner party, it’s doubtful they’d call themselves a professional chef. It’s the advancements in digital imagery that have made it easier than ever before for someone with a fancy camera to call themselves a ‘professional’ photographer.
I think I speak for all professional photographers when I say that it’s only with our unrelenting desire to be the best photographers we can be, and only after countless hours of practice and investing large sums of money into the equipment and props that are necessary for our businesses, that we call ourselves ‘professionals.’ Your photography experience and portraits will reflect our dedication.
For more information on the professional photography services I provide, please call me at (905) 449-2200.
