A photographer according to the Miriam Webster Dictionary is "one who practices photography". However, there are many different types of photographers. Photography can be done for the fun of it, as a hobby or as a profession. It can be practical or artistic. Photographs can be of still life, landscapes or people and each photographer whether amateur or professional has their own signature or style that is reflected in their work. A professional however, stands out from the rest as their job is more than taking a nice picture.
A professional photographer is professionally trained. Photography is a learned skill. A professional photographer understands exposure, masters lighting, depth of field, and understands how to use perspectives and composition. The technical side of photography can be taught but when photographing people there is much more to it.
When photographing individuals or families you are responsible for recording an event or telling a story. You are archiving a moment in a family's life that will be looked back on for generations. You are capturing the relationships of those in the portrait and the uniqueness of each individual. This takes more than technical skill. There is a human touch that's needed to evoke the personalities and emotions of everyone involved. The ability to connect with someone and put them at ease is an important part of a portrait photographers job. Their natural raw talent is what separates a good portrait photographer from a great portrait photographer. This skill is just as important if not more important than getting the right aperture and shutter speed.