Professional Vs Hobbyist/freelancing Photography

 Professional Photograph (Sample- My shot)

Hobbyist/freelancer Photograph (Sample- My shot)

What is the difference between a professionally shoot and a hobbyist/freelancing shoot? Both of this option carrying one thing common that is photography and the rest is all uncommon. I have always interacted with lots of my clients. They are always asking me to shoot and when I discuss all the requirement before the shoot or preplanning of the photoshoot. My client always ask why all these things are required? They suggested that I should come along with the camera and shoot quickly, delivered the photographs to the clients on the same day. But for a professional photographer, it is not possible. 

The reason behind this attitude, They always got their job done by the hobbyist photographer and Hobbyist photographer are not having any professional attitude, they are only doing these shoot only for pocket money, they are not concerned with post-processing, preplanning etc even they are not worried about the correct delivery of the projects. They come with the camera, shoot and deliver without post-processing on the same day.

Let's discuss the difference between professional and hobbyist/freelancing photography.

Professional Photography 

• They have only this profession to work and live life. No other profession except the photography career
• They have specific photography genres to move on, to become more professional
• Understand the correct requirement of the clients and deliver the project
• Keep on educating himself for better photography through advanced classes. 
• Always deliver the project, which helps the client to establish well his products and services. The client's image is also at stake while photographing.
• Choose the photography kit (Spl-Lenses) as per the project and shoot
• Maintain all the marketing strategy like website, newsletter, blogs, etc
• Keep changing the photography kit as per the technology changes, always carry highly advanced equipment 
• Always use genuine software for best post-processing results
• Never use products from the grey market
• Spend time, money and energy to build his branding worldwide
• Follow proper term and condition to build up the company goodwill.
• Having a proper team to execute the photography project
• Having a proper photo studio for the requirements like indoor shoot, client meeting etc
• All the photography is done only for the clients, not for himself 
• maintain a good business relationship for future leads

Hobbyist/freelancer Photography 

• They love photography but hardly take this as a career, they work like a free bird
• Work as a freelancer and along with this, they work for another field also.
• They have one photography kit to shoot everything
• No company policies
• Not having a photography team, 
• No advanced photography kit
• No post-processing skills
• No client handling, No website, No portfolio, No marketing etc
• Hardly understand client's project, always in a hurry to shoot and deliver the project and sometimes they deliver the photographs after the shoot or on the same day without editing.
• No specific photography genres at all. 
• They shoot for themselves and hardly for the clients. 

Sometimes clients hire the freelancer's photographer due to budget constrain but later on hired the professional photographer and spend double the cost. I have met so many clients who spent double the cost.

Conclusion - Professional means, understand the smallest thing before the shoot and deliver a large amount of details and creatives to the clients through the photographs, whereas freelancer understands less and never delivered satisfying results to the clients. The client must not care for the budget for the professional shoot because the photoshoot happens hardly once in a year or two. 

Keep experimenting & Have a wonderful and happy photography life to you all.

Photographer & blogger Prasenjeet Gautam (www.prasenjeetgautam.com) has captured above-posted the images. INDIA