What defines a professional photographer?
Professional photographers who shoot with Canon and Nikon gear have longed enjoyed special privileges through both camera makers’ “professional services.” As a member of both Canon Professional Services (CPS) and Nikon Professional Services (CPS) I’ve enjoyed fast turnaround on repairs, loaner equipment, services at special events and other perks.
Admission into the programs wasn’t easy. You have to prove your made your living with their brands of cameras by providing tear sheets, serial numbers and other information. Up until recently, membership in both programs was free.
Canon, however, changed its CPS program this year and now has three levels of membership: Basic (still free but with limited services), Gold ($100 a year with better services) and Premier ($500 a year with more services). To qualify, you have to have what Canon considers an acceptable number of their “pro” cameras and lenses.
It wasn’t hard for me to switch over. I own a bunch of Canon equipment and, fortunately, most of it is up to date. But shooters who depend on older camera bodies (like the original EOS 1D MK I) or older lenses can’t qualify for the new program, even if they made their living with Canon equipment.
This changes of the rules of who qualifies as a “pro.” It no longer means making a living with your equipment. It simply means affording the latest and greatest equipment and whether or not you make your living with that equipment is secondary.
I’m a little late in responding, but I have to say I believe it’s sad when equipment defines anyone’s professional level, photographer or not. Guess I grew up believing a camera, a lens, or any of the hundreds of possible photographic accessories are simply tools that need to be replaced only when better tools become available that will help you do a better job. I’ve used Nikons as my 35mm format camera of choice since the 1950s when I left the Navy and became a civilian “professional.” (As a Navy journalist, I used a 4×5 Speed Graphic.) And,I am a member of Nikon Professional Services, but if Nikon follows Canon’s lead, I may decide to become a non-professional for the first time in over half a century.