Well, the intro class has come and gone. Thanx for your tales; it did add some "real-life" interest to the class and generated several questions and a good time of discussion.
Several students were encouraged that they could keep at what they are doing now (work, mom, etc.) and start small and part-time, then (hopefully) work into a studio and more opportunites than they could handle.
And we talked about how the field has changed (the sub-topic started by Pea-n-Me). I started in the late 70's while still "a kid", thanks to my Dad. Although he took alot of photos, his main thing was collecting cameras. Many of my associates also started back when "the smell of the chemicals just shouts 'Photography!'" as boBQuincy says. The thing that has changed in photography is that the "barriers to entry" have been reduced. This is also true for illustration, animation, cinematography - many of the arts that use technology. The things that hasn't changed are the subjective, experience/training-based parts like composition, fore-/back-ground separation, eye lines, design CRAP (contrast, repetition, alignment, proximity), color balance/choices and so on. A good photographer does all that; a great photographer knows why they do all that.
Another point that came up which has been discussed here before, IIRC: what makes a Pro a Pro? Since "anyone" can get a really fine digital SLR, point it, fiddle and shoot, what does a Pro do beyond that? We came up with three points that a Pro must do that a photo-phile/amateur might not do:
--Consistency. A pro is able to create the same great quality photo time after time; in any conditions with any subjects at any time. This gets to things such as technical and aesthetic expertise.
--Workflow. Not only does the pro create great images but does so in such a way as to support his business and family. This gets to things such as backups, organization, and discipline as well as technical and aesthetic skill.
--Responsibility. If you work with volunteers at all you know that they are often very motivated, capable and excited to help. But after a time other priorities take over. A Pro does what he says he will do, when he said he would do it, for the agreed upon amount. A Pro will cover both himself and the client legally for the work to be done, even when (especially?) the client is a friend or family. I'm doing a wedding (which I don't do often and haven't done in a while) for a friend who I've known for almost twenty years for her son and his fiance. Did I sign an agreement with her? Yes, I did. (BTW-make the appropriate s/he substitutions in the preceding prose.)
[Side point - use the word amateur as in the Latin root amator, meaning lover; NOT as derogatory term indicating "of little or no skill"]
Apologies for the long-winded reply. But your stories did help the class alot and I wanted you to know that.
Thanx again.
---Ritch
