jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Welcome to our forum!

Becoming a pro means running a business. That should be your first priority - learning how to set up and run a business.

http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Professional-Photographer
https://fstoppers.com/business/first-step-becoming-successful-photographer-dont-go-college-34257
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/go-pro.htm
https://improvephotography.com/1521/20-tips-for-starting-a-portrait-photography-business/
https://www.eyeem.com/blog/10-steps-to-becoming-a-professional-photographer/
https://petapixel.com/2013/06/25/how-i-transitioned-from-being-a-hobbyist-to-being-a-pro-photographer/

BJW

Take NY institute of Photography's (NYIP.edu) course on Professional Photography. You'll learn an awful lot about your camera and how to use it. Pass their exams and you'll get a diploma that says you completed the course. Then practice, practice, practice. Then you will have a shot at becoming good enough to call yourself a pro. BTW: the first thing you'll learn is that it has nothing to do with the camera you use. Good luck!
BJW

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I have seen many golfers that have taken more than 10,000 swings and had no proficiency!!!

Best,
Todd Ferguson

stevetassi

Bear in mind that being a professional photographer is 10% photography and 90% marketing.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

My strongest advice to you is find a local professional photographer and offer your services for FREE. You can carry the equipment, help transport equipment, help set up. Ask discrete questions, do not be in the way. Watch and learn. Take a local photography course on line or at a local community college. Get your self involved in post processing. Go on Utube, there you simply ask a question about photography and it will be answered for you sometimes with tutorials. Study, study, study. Ok Grasshopper, start your long journey. Most important advice, don't stop your day job. You will need the extra income.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Before you can become a professional photographer, you need to become a very good photographer. Before you can become a very good photographer, you need to take many many pictures. Before you can take many pictures, you need to understand your camera and how to make it work to get the pictures you want to take.

From what you described, it sounds like you have not been into photography in a long time. But say you have done a little digital photography. These statements are rather vague, saying nothing that will truly tell us the level of your understanding and proficiency!

Just remember that the move from film to digital on any camera will involve a learning curve. No matter how much film camera experience you have, the camera itself will have different controls, etc. Be ready to study and practice!

If you are truly dedicated to becoming a professional, buy the best gear you can afford. Make sure the lenses you purchase are suitable for the type of images you want to capture. Yes, you can always move up later, but starting out at a higher level than an entry-level camera will mean you have more time to learn and grow before that camera is no longer adequate.

Good luck.

Brent Rowlett Loc: Atlanta, GA

Be very very careful. Experienced photographers are closing up shop everywhere. The digital cameras and the cell phones have absolutely killed the profession. It used to be if one did not know what they were doing with film, it would cost a fortune to film a wedding, task or event. One could charge a decent fee for their services. Not so today. A rookie can put a high end camera on automatic, take a high volume of pictures, and have enough keepers to satisfy some clients. Defensive photographers will not admit it, but it is a fact. At events, I turn my daughter loose as a second shooter with one of my high end cameras set to automatic, and I am often pleased with the photos she takes. She doesn't know Jack about the triangle of photography or composition. And all of us photographers know it. The high end cameras are killing us.

In addition to just the camera, a complete knowledge of Photoshop and Lightroom are a must which takes years to truly be proficient with their use. My advice: Get a good day job to support this activity as a hobby or part time venture. For most, the money is gone in photography. For many, the cell phone is good enough and making great advances in quality every day.

Crombie

Hi,
My I suggest you take a close look at the MFT offerings from Olympus and Panasonic. About 5 years ago I traded all my big Nikon equipment in for the technically advanced Olympus EM1's and lenses. What a difference, from a monster heavy shoulder bag to a wonderful Think Tank around my waist. Image quality is there in spades. I shoot professionally with a high bench mark set not by me but by art directors and assignment editors, MFT!

Bill_de Loc: US

Years back Moose Peterson did a lot of writing about getting started. When most where saying don't he said go for it. IIRC his first choice was getting published in magazines. Not the magazines you see on the news stands, but specialty magazines ... that may not pay much. But every time you are publishes you are one step closer to your dream. He got himself 'invited' to photograph the work of a group studying the California Vole. Not the most popular subject.

If you Google him now, you will see what he is doing now.

Before you do anything, even before buying a camera, you have to believe it is what you want to do and believe you can do it.

TonyF Loc: Bradenton, FL

MFT???

duane klipping Loc: Bristow iowa

There is other software that produces as good or better results than PS or LR at less cost. They are not the only game in town...

Crombie

Ah, sorry, Micro Four Thirds. This is the size of the sensor which is smaller than Nikon's and Canon's. But before making a decision based on the sensor size do some research.

Best!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Although your comment doesn't even come close to warranting a response, I'll be polite and give you one anyway. Perhaps you were on the receiving side of one with such talents and, thus, have a jaundiced opinion of such photographic skills.

Did you read all of my replies to the OP?
--Bob

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I take it you have not read any of Malcolm Gladwell's books.

docdish Loc: Saint Petersburg, FL

Sam, it is easy to see that a lot of people that frequent this site had a difficult time earning a living as a photographer. Like most things, it will take time, talent, and a lot of practice to make a good living. Depending on what training you have so far, the best advice I can give you is to meet any professional photographer you can find and talk with them directly. Most professionals will be willing to chat with you and guide you in a reasonable direction. Once you have a more concrete plan, you will be able to figure out what equipment meets your needs. Good luck.