A professional programmer is not necessarily better than an amateur. Many top hackers are self-taught and they beat any professional programmers. In the photography field, a full-time photographer is not necessarily better than another amateur, of course depending on comparing whom with whom. But generally speaking professional guys have better experience and are more capable of accomplishing assignments. With the emergence of digital cameras, especially DSLRs, the situation has gradually changed these days. Experience can be gathered through massive shooting under different light conditions for many kinds of themes. Shooting more and showing less, the philosophy of being a professional photographer, are now applicable to an amateur photographer who wants high standard of work. But all in all, it's the person. I won't easily trust a pro simply because he works full time. Show me the pictures with a pro standard, and I would be impressed.