Part of the problem is that many "Professionals" on here think the only way to become a "Professional" is to do it the way they did by shooting what they do and many act like they would rather hold someone back than to push them forward.
Now having said that I didn't spend 900 I spent 1500 one camera and a kit lens, took some pictures of a baseball tournament, showed them to the owner of a baseball facility and was asked to start taking pictures of their players for parents to purchase. Another 100.00 for a shutterfly account for parents to buy from. Free software that came with the laptop I already had.
First week end 10.00 to get into the tournament for two days and 20.00 gas want to include the two hot dogs I ate for lunch 4.00. Made enough to pay for my camera! Second weekend 1100.00 I'm ahead. I am already scheduled for five tournaments this year plus several school events.
I did not intend to change careers I've been a building contractor for 25+ years. This year may change that, I don't think of myself as a professional simply because this work is so easy compared to what I've always done. I am going to invest 10.00 in 250 business cards so I can direct parents of the other teams to shutterfly account. So yes it takes more than 900.00 but that was because I chose a better camera but I bet I could do it. A professional is just someone who gets paid for a service or acts like a professional which a lot here do not.

Part of the problem is that many "Professionals" on here think the only way to become a "Professional" is to do it the way they did by shooting what they do and many act like they would rather hold someone back than to push them forward.
Now having said that I didn't spend 900 I spent 1500 one camera and a kit lens, took some pictures of a baseball tournament, showed them to the owner of a baseball facility and was asked to start taking pictures of their players for parents to purchase. Another 100.00 for a shutterfly account for parents to buy from. Free software that came with the laptop I already had.
First week end 10.00 to get into the tournament for two days and 20.00 gas want to include the two hot dogs I ate for lunch 4.00. Made enough to pay for my camera! Second weekend 1100.00 I'm ahead. I am already scheduled for five tournaments this year plus several school events.
I did not intend to change careers I've been a building contractor for 25+ years. This year may change that, I don't think of myself as a professional simply because this work is so easy compared to what I've always done. I am going to invest 10.00 in 250 business cards so I can direct parents of the other teams to shutterfly account. So yes it takes more than 900.00 but that was because I chose a better camera but I bet I could do it. A professional is just someone who gets paid for a service or acts like a professional which a lot here do not.

why does anyone on this forum reduce themselves to calling anyone names..? the purpose of this forum is to be able to learn off each other..lately it seems that some of the folks in this forum are becoming so full of themselves that it make others feel intimidated to be able to ask a question..i like that someone is brave enough to put themselves in the line of fire..
the person that said that they wanted to start a photography business on a mere 900 bucks is very innocently asking something..slamming him or her isn't going to help educate them..giving them some realistic expectations would be a kinder way to go..
one of the reasons i won't join a regular camera club is because i find that many are very cliquish and some are a bit full of themselves..photography is very competitive yes..but to knock anyone else that tries to get ahead is just plain mean spirited..

Just read a post where a member on the forum commented that he/she wanted to buy a camera to work toward becoming professional. Camera budget ... $900.

That person literally got hammered by 2 to 1 posts about "better rethink the budget"... some proffering $9000 as a starting point.

REALLY??????

How does this type of reaction to a simple post encourage photography at any level.

I know there are some on this board who want to stifle professional dreams as a function of protecting a domain they think they alone own. I discount those people off the bat.

Does everybody really think that a person with skills and the courage to market their work (KEY word) cannot begin to sell their work and go on to created a thriving photography business.

To people like the poster in this case, I say good luck and Go For It, even if there is only $900 bucks in the bank at the moment.

The poster did not say they weren't able to spend more when it becomes necessary.

There certainly are many cameras/lens kits out there that can create work that WILL sell, and priced at $1000 or less. This is true particularly if you include used and refurbished camera's.

I'm not the friendliest guy on this forum, and not particularly well liked by some whose shit I have gotten into it with.

Like the scorpion said to the pig in the middle of the river, "It's my nature".

But come on folks. Where's the camaraderie, the good intent, and the willingness to give a fellow hogger a hand up.

Yes, you can start a photography business with any number of camera's I can think of.

The camera is NOT the deterrent. The lack of willingness to do the work is the problem. Many of the responses on this forum would deter others and kill such willingness to make the attempt. Sad!! Sad!! Sad!! :cry:

I would go ahead and make up a list of $900 camera's that will produce images that can be sold, but frankly the list is way to long.

The spirit and creativity of the individual who does the appropriate things to become a professional is the heart of success.

Most of those who poo poo'd the $900 camera budget clearly have no aspirations of becoming professional, particularly if they think the camera and the money spent on it is the key to opening that door.

Big surprise for those people....A professional uses the camera that is available when the subject or scene presents itself. I am confident that many who are professional today started out with an UNDER $1000 camera equipped with one lens. :shock:

To me, being a Professional Photographer, means creating part or all of your income with a camera and photography, no matter how much equipment you own or what you spent for it!