Well, it’s a complicated question with a complicated answer. Photographers since the invention of photography have, like many areas of human activity, encompassed the spectrum from rank amateur (or buff) to professional.
In fact, without the amateurs’ involvement, there probably wouldn’t have been a photography industry. Do many people make their living in the photography industry? Yes, indeed they do.
But often amateurs have played consequential roles in the invention of cameras, lenses, photographic techniques, developing, computation, digitization, etc. And they weill continue to play these roles as photography embraces AI, media and whatever else.
Thoughts on ‘Amateur’ and ‘Professional’ Photography | PetaPixel