Do I need public liability insurance?

[Redgum]

I also disagree that becoming a professional and working at photography full time is a bad thing. Sure beats fixing fire alarms for the next 30 years

I couldn't agree more but working at photography and being a professional are two entirely different things. The word "professional" is unfortunately a bad way to describe a good photographer because you can be "professional" at anything, even ironing. A photographer only does one thing. Just concentrate on being a great photographer and forget the title.

[kiwi]

I'll go out on a limb, but from what I gather most Pt professionals and a fair number of ft pros don't turn a profit, so, that's notany criteria to judge upon

[Redgum]

Being professional and making money are not necessarily related either. :-) (with few exceptions: doctors, street walkers and perhaps ironing lady's)

[kiwi]

Nothing beats feeding your family fir 30 years either, lol

Would you become an actor, musician, or artist ? I reckon abou the sane chance financially as a new photographer entering te market, not impossible, but bloody hard work, and some are skill and luck

[JM Tran]

I'll go out on a limb, but from what I gather most Pt professionals and a fair number of ft pros don't turn a profit, so, that's notany criteria to judge upon

big statement.

[kiwi]

yip, realise that. Real happy to be wrong.

[bb45pz]

Interesting discussion this is turning into.
Totally agree with Redgum's comments (didn't get the gist earlier...but now )

I would think there were a good few portrait/wedding photographers that were turning over enough to be comfortable. Also employed journalists etc would probably be keeping the wolves at bay.
Having said that, there is surely a stack of people out there who are working at other things waiting for some sort of a break.

You do wonder about the ratio though???

Well, we could probably debate the paid/unpaid pro/amateur thing all day but I think I'll check out of this one now.

Thanks again for your help guys.

[Redgum]

yip, realise that. Real happy to be wrong.

I don't think you're wrong, Kiwi. But you're still thinking within the square.
Most people here think that a professional photographer either does weddings or portrait/family photography (school photos, small corporate gigs, even prints for sale) but that is such a tiny piece of the market. We had a similar debate several months ago.Since then I've looked at the Qld State government stats and they employ close on 2800 people under the photography classification (pretty broad but still a good indication). Just look at the number of photographers employed in TAFE. Theis actually employ 16 in their head office alone and there are lots of mining companies that use photography as a tool.
So, looking outside the square, photography is alive and well but often called something else. Personally, I would know over 100 practising photographers none of which do the wedding/family gig and most are on really good pay. Most freelance as well, particularly in the film industry, many as journalists.
When you say that photographers are on the brink of bankruptcy it's a pretty broad statement but not well informed from my long experience. Perhaps it just reflects that part of the industry many amateurs want to get into? I reckon that if you made only $80k per year you should still be happy and most photographers that I know earn more than that. True professionals, to bring us back on subject.

[kiwi]

If there are 2800 photographers in qld govt actually taking photos, i'll eat my hat, and yours too

[Wayne]

So, based on this, serious question, why take on insurance for photography, when you probably don't have one for riding a bicycle based on risk ?

Interesting topic for most I think

Most are not risk averse when riding their bicycle down the street. I think we associate doing something in return for monetary payment as a reason to be insured, but personal things we fail to consider. I assure you that if you are riding your bicycle down the street and due to your negligence you run me over, break my leg and I can't work due to my injury, you will have some bills to pay unless you are insured under a PL policy.

Same thing goes if you are there at the airshow with your 400/2.8 taking pics for your personal use and enjoyment and I am standing in the public area next to you, then you pan swiftly that big front element of the 400/2.8 to follow a fast moving plane and you crack me on the scone and cut my forehead, my $500 sunnies crash to the ground and get scratched, you will be liable for any loss/damage you cause due to that negligence. The only thing you will be worried about is whether you are indemnified under some insurance policy..

[Redgum]

It's a hard hat so be careful what you say.

[Longshots]

Maybe that figure is based on who has a government supplied mobile phone ?


(which also has a camera )

[kiwi]

Cops with speedcams ? Counter staff with webcams for ID photos ?

I dunno

Redgum, can you point me to the stats so I can also marvel at the bs ?

[Redgum]

Redgum, can you point me to the stats so I can also marvel at the bs ?

Join the State Library - it's only about $500 per year.