What is a Professional Photographer?

As a working photographer, as well as the FIA Media Delegate for the World Endurance Championship, I am regularly asked how did I become a professional motorsport photographer and how do they become one to.  

I suppose it all comes down to your definition of professional and what it means to your clients.  Some people think it is just getting paid to take photographs.  While that is partially true, for me being 'professional' is conducting yourself and your business in an acceptable manner that other businesses will respect.  It also means that you are able to produce the images required by your client to exacting standards again and again and usually to strict deadlines.  There are plenty of part time photographers working the circuits who have day jobs as well but they also conduct themselves in a professional manner, so it's not just about being full time.

On Wednesday evening I was watching the latest episode of Masterchef and there were five amateur cooks who were given a task of working in one of London's top restaurants producing a five course taster menu, with each contestant producing a dish from scratch for 30 people.  They had to prepare the ingredients, cook it to order and make sure the presentation was spot on before it was sent for 'service'.  Each of the contestants had said they had never done anything like that before, they had just cooked for friends and family.  It was certainly interesting watching how they coped with the pressures. They could all cook to a high standard, but they had never done it in a professional environment.  And this is the same for photography.

There are many photographers who can take brilliant images and sometimes they produce an image that will rival the best professional photographers.  Now most of these photographers have excellent kit and produce images that their friends and family say are great and that the photographer should turn professional.  Now this is where the similarity between the Masterchef story and photography takes shape.   Could they take excellent images on demand again and again, as is required in a professional environment?  I think we'd see beads of sweat breaking out on the foreheads of most these photographers.

There are some people who think that buying a professional level camera will suddenly transform them into a professional photographer and they will be bringing in the clients and the money.  Uh, no!   Hanging the biggest Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Sony, Hasselblad, Pentax etc around your neck doesn't make you a pro anymore than buying the best tennis racket suddenly makes you a rival for Andy Murray.  A camera is a tool and it the person who is pressing the buttons who takes the image, not the camera.

The myth is that all motorsport photographers stand next to a track with a long lens, take a few shots, head back to the media centre, edit the shots and post them.  Job done!  Well some people might work that way but the real pro photographers don't.  Most photographers are working for one big client or several small ones at the event.  They have various deadlines to meet,  for example the official photographers for the World Endurance Championship have to provide thousands of images of cars, drivers, entertainment, branding, photo calls, all over a four day period.  

Now the amateur photographer may take 1-2 days to edit some of their better shots from the weekend.  The pro photographers has to edit and make available in excess of 100 to exact standards from each track session and then be out there shooting some marketing images or attend a photocall for a new team or other such shoot.  It is not unusual for a photographer to work 18-20 hours per day on event. 

Now you can see why I was using the Masterchef episode as an example.  The pressures on full time professional photographers are intense.

Also when I work trackside and the sun is shining, I usually get talking to a fan with a good camera on the other side of the fence.  The conversation usually turns to the fan saying 'I'd love to do your job..' but it only happens when the sun is shining.  If it is pouring with rain that conversation has never happened - I wonder why?  A professional sports photographer has to work in all conditions; you can't pack up and go home if it is raining.

Recently I have seen a few 'wannabe' motorsport photographers, there were a couple at Silverstone at the weekend, who decided that they wanted to be more than a fan with a media pass.  The reality of actually doing a professional job really shocked them.  They had no idea that the job can be so intense and demanding.  

Over the years, in my media delegate role I have given a lot of photographers their first opportunity to work in the 'big leagues'.  Some have taken the opportunity with both hands and worked hard, others have been blinded by the 'bright lights' of working on a top level event and wasted the chance.  Some have soon realised that the job is very hard and they have decided it isn't for them but there are others who are now working for some top clients in the paddock today.

So the next time you see a professional sports photographer working at the side of the pitch, next to the track or any other sport, just think that their job is not just about taking a few pictures in a really cool location.  Their work is hard and their clients demanding but they have built up their skill set so they can produce the standard of image the client requires time after time after time and not just one or two lucky shots.

Don't get me wrong, we all have to start somewhere.  I honed my skills attending low level motorsport events as a spectator at Donington Park and Mallory Park before I even got the chance of a media pass.  There are plenty of photographers who are, even now, treading this well worn route, serving their apprenticeship so to speak.  However there are some who think they don't need to bother with this and they can jump straight into the top level, whether it is WEC or Formula One.  Boy, do they get a shock and they soon come down to earth with a bump.

Sports photography is not a quick way to earning a living; it is tough! You need a variety of skills to run a successful business.  You have to be a people person, there is plenty of networking you have to do, you have to do your own marketing, you have to be an accountant and, of course, you have to take decent pictures.  But taking decent pictures on its own will not make you a professional photographer, you need the other skills as well.  And on top of this there are plenty of people who are thinking the same and usually working for free undercutting all the guys trying to make a living - but that is another sore subject.  However the free togs don't usually last long but it is tough to earn a living from sports photography.

If you want to be a professional sports photographer then please go for it but be 'professional' in all aspects from day one. Don't be a 'fan with a camera' and don't give your work away for free.  Once you get a reputation for giving your images for free it is hard to recover.  If you can put up with the hard work and long hours it can be very rewarding but it certainly isn't a quick or easy way to earn a living.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS BLOG BY VISITING THE ADVERTISERS ON THIS PAGE

By clicking on the adverts you are helping support this blog - thank you.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ALL IMAGES ARE THE PROPERTY OF MACLEAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AND CANNOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION

MacLean Photographic run Tours and Workshops in East Lothian and the Borders of Scotland.  CLICK HERE for more details and availability

In June 2015 Jeff Carter was named as a Fujifilm brand ambassador and you can view his profile and gallery on the Fujifilm website HERE

If you like what you see on this blog please visit our Facebook page and click 'like'