Professional photography?

Question

Is it legal to call yourself a "professional photographer" if in fact you do not hold a degree in photography, photojournalism etc...

Answer 1

You can call yourself anything you want as long as your intent is not to defraud, this is America. Perhaps you would be more comfortable with "Freelance"

Answer 2

there is alot more to photography than  just snapping pictures. atleast take some classes at community college and try to be open to learning some things in a structured focused environment.

i call myself a "freelance" when people see me with a camera and ask.

Answer 3

Yes, perfectly legal. A degree is not required. Lebron James is a professional basketball player and did not go to a college for it.

Answer 4

Professional just means you do it for pay, as opposed to it just being a hobby. There is no required certification, certificate or degree to be a professional photographer. I have seen some hobbyist who have never sold a picture have shots that rival the best "professional" work so title does not make the photographer  

Answer 5

yes indeed. I've worked with over 500 photographers and artists within the last 5 years and to me they were all professionals. Only a handful of them had degrees and honestly most of the ones with degrees were less "professional" than the ones without. Some people just have it and some dont. Usually the ones that dont have it go to college to get degrees to make themselves feel like they are pros.