Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

I have retired from Professional Photography now. I have worked on industrial, weddings, portraits,and all other situations that are covered by newspapers. I studied photography, got distinctions from three photographic bodies.Loved what I was doing from the outset, and never stopped learning.Was my own boss....and at the beck & call of everyone.

Jer Loc: Mesa, Arizona

very hard industry...cell phones and point and shots are killing off the desire for paid photographers. Im retired so I don't have to depend on the income.learn the craft a best you can because the will be a ton of people just a good or better.

ph0t0bug

There are web sites where youyou can sell your photos.Don't know how lucrative it is butI believe one is Smugmug. If you are looking to sell commercially, Google for commercial photos for sale. You should be able to find out something.

strictlyflorida Loc: Melbourne, FL

All really good comments. Esp. the pizza one. I found that setting up a website is a good way to get your name out there and to NETWORK. Do not use it for anything else. Selling your photos on the internet is too hard and time consuming. I find most of my sales come from hands on. Start going to some of the arts and crafts shows. Prepare to invest alot of money and alot of time. I am preparing to open a physical gallery by the end of this year. If you are truly interested in doing this, you will need to do your homework and lots of it. Good Luck.

viscountdriver Loc: East Kent UK

Wedding photography is one way. Advertise and be good.

Tompar Loc: Bedfordshire UK

Do you want to sell single images? then try Ghetty images or Cavan, Cavan buy for $50.00 per image.
Its an easy way to make a bit of cash on the side, dont flog your best images though!
They are looking for a fairly standard look thats popular at the moment. i know Cavan will also give a remit of what they are after.
Do you have any images of yours?

Good luck

livingeyes

If photography became my full time job I probably wouldn't enjoy it as I do now.

GilC

Well done, I couldn't have put it better myself - while all three areas are very important, probably the last one is the most important of all. Study marketing at the same time as you are learning to take photographs. One will NOT work without the other however good you become as a photographer. I've known excellent photographers who just 'get by' and I've also known average photographers who make extremely good livings because they understand marketing. Good luck and don't listen to the 'nay sayers'.

Tompar Loc: Bedfordshire UK

This is really worth watching and so appropriate!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb6thtmfveE

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Good one. :thumbup:

Say Cheese Loc: Eastern PA

When I bought my new Canon AE-1 (many years ago) I looked for a topics to shoot to become familiar with the camera, I saw a log home being built and for the next number of months I took pictures of the construction and on Christmas day I went up to the house and handed them a album with about 60 pictures of the home being built. I had never met the people before but we became great friends. Later I was then asked by them to do their girls weddings. (the start of doing weddings and making some money). My daughters were on a field hocky team and I was taking pictures of the games and soon I was doing team pictures of field hocky, then softball, baseball, basketball, gymnastics, dancing, cheerleaders, etc. We did about 700 sports individuals a year, and about 8 to 12 weddings a year. I went from the AE-1 to a Canon EOS-1N and a Bronica SQA. I always called it our paying hobby. We never made enough to make a living but certainly was some nice extra money and we enjoyed giving others enjoyment by capturing their event.
Start slow by getting your feet wet, they will find you if you have something good to give them.
I now have a Canon 7D but only do volunteer photo work for charity events "No Charge"

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

It sounds to me like you're competing with all those so called "Photographers" out there that hope to snap off $1000 shots for Rupert Murdock and his newspapers of embarrassing moments from stars and famous people. If not, then you should seriously consider taking courses in an effort of attaining a degree or some certification in the photographic arts. Find your niche, that specialty that engages your passion. AND PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Photography for most is just a hobby, a way to save those special moment that life offers, or a means to scrape out a living as others have already told you.
Want to have a million as a photographer? Then you need to begin with $2 or $3 million and gain experience, buy or rent the right equipment, travel to locations that offer those spectacular opportunities, wait for the perfect moment for lighting, and then get that rare opportunity to display your work so people can see your talents. You really have to LOVE what you do or it becomes a drudge and an endless monetary drain.
THERE'S NO FAST LANE TO SUCCESS.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

The camera club I belong to has several presentations over the course of a year at which those who make their living from photograpy (Pros) give presentations. All have a central theme, one or two of which have stated it - they make a living by doing in-house and in-th-field workshops and tutoring. All sell their work but those sales are not the source of primary income. None are wedding photographers so can't speak to that

Several members cooperate in galelries - open on weekends, at which the display and sell their prints; go in see whats on the wall and then page thru the stack to find what you wnat to buy. They have full time jobs.

For whatever its worth...

Larrie Loc: NE Ohio

There are several posting site that buy stock, plug " stock photos " into UHH search or Google. Many are ripoffs, the good ones require imagination and tack sharp photos. If you have to ask this question you already have a deficit.

theobennett Loc: Sumatra

Like any aspirant to any professional trade, craft or profession, it is up to you.
There are a few "ifs": If you have a passion for the craft; if you are determined; if it is more than a gadgeteering, self- satisfying, hobby interest; if you are young enough, or sufficiently committed to undertake an appropriate graduate or diploma or certificate course; and if you are then willing to seek a prized, highly competitive, indentured apprenticeship with a newspaper, magazine or commercial studio.... you will stand a good chance.
Otherwise resign yourself to the way of wedding and "santa" photographers.
Truth is, there is no easy path.
However, you have taken the first step identifying your desire. It's likely you also have a reasonable camera. Don't worry if it isn't state of the art. Don't even worry if you are using film. It's the final image that matters to a publisher or employer. Not the brand or style of camera - although some file agemcies like Alamy prefer submissions made by good glass on closest to at least 35mm film or sensor size.
Just look at the photographs published by professional photographers, bearing in mind that higher standards are expected for hard copy magaInes and newspapers, and keep making images that you feel might emulate those you see published.
Do this. Practice all you can. Get a portfolio together. Write letters to,prospective places where you hope to get training, experience and employment while you study.
Seek advice from professional journalists and photojournalists associations, the contacts for which will be in the association and, or, union pages of your local phone direcory. Go talk with the pictorial editor of your nearest newspaper.
Demand for print may have become less because of the Interweb, but it remains relatively strong, especially now with evolved specialist and general magazines, and is above all the best training ground for aspiring photographers.
Beware of anything, or anyone other than university, college, or trade school that asks you to pay money. For anything. Including equipment.
Most of all know that it is possible to earn a living honourably, enjoyably, as a professional photographer.
Good luck,