Professional

Professional usually means a paid individual for their services. Under many sporting authorities, receiving any money for playing the sport makes one a professional. To retain an amateur status, one must reject all money associated with the sport. Outside of sporting events, it is more complex.

Clearly, an individual who makes all or a majority part of their wages from a particular service would be considered a professional. Being paid for the services, not the end result, would also tend to make one a professional.

1. Photographer-A hires and pays model-1 to perform for a photoshoot. Model-1 is considered a professional. She was paid for her modeling services. The images may or may not turn out useful.
2. Photographer-B get paid by model-2 to take her picture. Photographer-B is considered a professional. He was paid for his photographic services. The images may or may not turn out useful.
3. Photographer-B does a Trade For Print shoot with model-3. Photographer-B was already deemed a professional, and remains a professional even though no money traded hands with model-3. The images are of value.
4. Photographer-A does a Trade For Print shoot with models-2&3. None are consider professionals even if they win an award prize to share.
5. Photographer-C does paid professional photographic work of buildings and foods for a magazine. While a professional building and food photographer, he may be an amateur model photographer. He needs to contact Igor and disclose his other efforts for VW to decide what his status is here.
6. If photographer-C is found to also do wedding photos for hire, VW will likely consider him a professional even if it is limited engagements.
7. Models who conduct business like a professional, may be considered a professional. Maintaining a professional model website on one or more of the many modeling sites will tend to make her appear to be a professional, even if she only does TFP.
8. Photographers who hire professional models can retain amateur status, but must not ever submit those image to VW outside the Models For Fun.

One cannot determine the professional status of an individual based on the quality of the images produced. Many accomplished amateurs take superb photos. They may also have photographic equipment and a studio to rival any professional. An amateur buys camera equipment because he wants it. A professional buys equipment because he needs it and it will return a profit to him.

If you were a professional at one stage of your life, your current status is dependent on Igor's rulings. Never try to hide or fool information from Igor.