yeah, the term "professional" is used rather losely.
i don't claim to be a professional, but i know my way around professional camera equipment and people love the pictures i take for them.
i get paid here and there, but up until this construction company paid me 3k, i would get a handful of shoots every 6-8 months.
typical portrait shots are @ $100 so i don't go out and gouge people lol.
i already have a full time job - photography doesn't maintain my family