How about - when other people start referring to you as a professional photographer? For example, I was recently commissioned - in return for free publicity - to shoot a photo for the cover of one of our local newspapers. The byline for the cover photo referred to me as a professional photographer even though I did not claim to be one.
It depends on why you need "professional" defined. If you want to enter a photo in a contest (e.g., a local fair) that has professional and amateur divisions, read their definitions carefully.
For tax purposes, I think the distinction is whether you intend to make a profit, not whether you consider yourself to be a "professional". If you want to start a photography business, you should probably get advice from a tax lawyer. If not, photography is considered a "hobby" (even if you consider yourself professional); you must still report any income, but you can only deduct expenses up to that amount. (This is U.S. law, which confuses me enough; I have no idea how it works elsewhere.)
If it is just for yourself, define it however you want!
A professional photographer would make a 'specific portion' of their income from their photography. I've checked out quite a few photo contests and that seems to be their defintion of a professional. I think I was once given the number of 20% of your income.
A professional photographer would make a 'specific portion' of their income from their photography. I've checked out quite a few photo contests and that seems to be their defintion of a professional. I think I was once given the number of 20% of your income.
Located this posted by a VERY well know maker of Professinal Film..."definition of Professional (defined as 5% or more of your personal income derived from photographic activity) or Advanced Amateur (defined as less than 5% of your personal income derived from photographic activity) level and a category of submission as listed in item #2 above."
