An urgent help!

[Paolo Cardone]

Hello everybody I need urgently some help.
I'm a photographer in a small town in south of Italy with not a lot of possiblity to increase my clients.
I have decided to go in the United States in 2008, in particular San Francisco (CA). I see this city a very interesting place for my work and I'm sure that I would have more possibility than the place where I live now.
Last month I was there, and what I thought of this city confirms my thoughts.
The only thing, I'm afraid to make a wrong decision, I must work and not be a tourist...
I would like to know what you think about this, is it worthwile to go there or is it better to go New York (which I don't know nothing a tall as a city and what it offers for my work). Are there more possibily for my career?
I'm 44 years old and I can't take the risk to make the wrong decision.
Which city should I choose?
I thank you for your attention and await ansiosly a reply.
Best regards and sorry for my english.
Paolo

[PhotosGuy]

Your portrait work looks pretty good. Is that what you want to do & sell? it would help us to know. And, are you familiar with the "Grass is greener..." saying? I see this city a very interesting place for my work You & a million other guys? Are there no city's near you with the same opportunities? I've shot in Italy before (Rome, Naples, Concerta) & I'm not seeing your problem? or is it better to go New York Very expensive & cut-throat competition! If you can't "make it" in Italy...

I'm sure that there are magazines that have resident photographers in citys all over the world. Why don't you think about being one of them?

[stathunter]

Paolo,
No matter where you live--or decide to move to---it is about you and not really your work. Being a sharp, aggressive and extremely hard working businessman is MUCH more important than whether your photography work is good or not.
You need to focus on selling, marketing, getting business, networking, selling more and closing sales. That will make you successful in ANY city that you are in. I would suggest that you refine those skills first --then you can make it a success in any portion of the world. I am in the Detroit Michigan area----the #1 crime cities in the US---- The economy in my area is BAD---the automotive industry has been the focus of our economy and is now in reality gone. I can make a decent second income moonlighting as a photographer----------if I can do it here---you can do it in Italy---or heck anywhere.
SELL, SELL, SELL ...........get your butt up early and sell.........and do it until late in the evening and then do it over again tomorrow -and so on and so on.