Originally posted by Tranzistors Yeah, if being a professional means being an ass, I'd rather stay amateur.
What this video needs is a professional artist whose medium is photography to come in and put the "professional" in his place. A lot of the wedding and portrait photographers that are out there have a reason to be intimidated by the fact that professional equipment is available to their customers for the same price as one or two sessions with a photographer, but someone shooting for magazines and stuff doesn't really have to worry because their skills are on such a different level.
I got a DSLR to take nice pictures of my family after considering that hiring a photographer for portraits would get me pictures from 1 day in history but a DSLR would get similar results as my baby grew for the same price.
Add to that the fact that going out to take pictures on your own time can be a lot more spontaneous, low stress, and enjoyable than scheduling an appointment and trying to look good and trying to get a baby to behave. If I go out to take pictures and the baby just wants to keep moving there is no barrier to saying, "oh well, lets just play and have fun." If there was a photographer on the clock that would not be very fun.
Sometimes like weddings, you need someone to be a designated photographer because you want your guests to enjoy themselves, you are obviously preoccupied, and if the pictures come out bad you (or the bride) have an outlet to vent your stress and frustration against. I'm sure that last part of the job for a wedding photographer, being a human punching bag, probably sucks the most but it saves a high strung bride from destroying a friendship or personal relationship and it is part of any business where you have to deal with customer service.
If you are good enough to hack it as a professional your results will speak for yourself and there is no need to be an arrogant prick or be intimidated by every amateur with a DSLR.