Does Expensive Gear Make You a Professional Photographer?

I was just in an online forum where an aspiring photographer asked if having expensive gear makes you a professional photographer. Several photographers said absolutely while others had mixed opinions. It's an interesting topic of discussion so I thought I would put my response on my blog. My answer is as follows: Creativity and execution is what makes a great photographer. You do need a certain amount of "good" gear to get the job done but that isn't where it ends. Take a stroll into the gallery of the late Galen Rowell in Bishop, CA. Most of his images were taken with a 35mm film camera. Sure you can see the grain in a lot of photos but some of the images are so stunning so who cares (oh and they sell just fine too). Work with what you can afford and let your creative vision dictate the market for you. If you produce something new and interesting, chances are it will sell. With that said, the true definition of a "professional photographer" is someone who makes his/her living off of their work. With such a saturated image market these days you had better come up with something creative to set yourself apart from the crowd.

"Bonsai Rock, Lake Tahoe"