Behaviors and character as so very important as they distinguish one from another.
As a transitive verb, it is enough by definition to merely
claim to be versed in photography in order to declare oneself a professional. For this reason there are
Professional Associations whose purpose is to confer a
Professional Designation, to ascribe value to a completed "Body of Knowledge' and to erect barriers to entry so that not just anyuone can enter the market. In the case of photography the barriers to entry are exceedingly weak.
Full Definition of PROFESS
transitive verb
1
: to receive formally into a religious community following a novitiate by acceptance of the required vows
2
a : to declare or admit openly or freely : affirm
b : to declare in words or appearances only : pretend, claim
3
: to confess one's faith in or allegiance to
4
a :
to practice or claim to be versed in (a calling or profession)
b :
to teach as a professor
intransitive verb
1
: to make a profession or avowal
2
obsolete : to profess friendship
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Examples of PROFESS
He professes confidence in his friend.
They profess loyalty to the king.
Origin of PROFESS
in sense 1, from Middle English, from profes, adjective, having professed one's vows, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin professus, from Latin, past participle of profitēri to profess, confess, from pro- before + fatēri to acknowledge; in other senses, from Latin professus, past participle — more at confess