How did you know???

[Cinbika]

How did you know what exactly you wanted to start your photography business in? Weddings, sports, glamor, seniors???
I love sports photography but how do you break into it?
I also love weddings but that is virtually impossible to break into because unless you have a lot of weddings under you you don't get hired by the bride, second photographer or even Bella. Any thoughts on helping a gal out?
I love photography and I think I am pretty good at it but should I hang up the towel???
Here is my website if you want to check out my work, www.prominencephoto.com

[Mike R]

I looked at your site and after seeing your portraits, It looks as if you already have a business, or the start of a very good one. I kind of stumbled into sports photography by asking the booster club at a new HS (the first for my town) that I wanted to take action shots at the games and donate back to the club. I had no real interest in sports but wanted to help the school. I cannot even throw a ball straight,lol and don't watch pro sports. I now shoot at 2 high schools and also do a cheerleading competition at one HS and one university. I find that I look forward to going to the games. The first HS recommended me to one in another town, that's how I got that and I got the University cheer competition because the head cheer coach at the first HS is the assistant at the university.
What does all this mean? Once you get that first school, or even one team, your business will expand by word of mouth. It's funny that I get the least amount of sales form the original school and they are the only one that has a link to my site on theirs.
The reason may be that the football team allows a mom on the sidelines and she gives the prints away. The quality is very poor but "they're much cheaper than Mike's" It's also the only school that I give something back to. Next Saturday I have a cheer competition with 100 teams.
If you get into sports, offer slide shows for the teams annual banquet. Since you already took shots throughout the season, it's easy to put the show together and very profitable. I currently get $265 for a 15-20min show. I go to the banquet and let the show run in an endless loop while I enjoy myself. I also take some shots at the banquets and sell those. T&I shots may be boring but they're much more profitable than action shots. The sports will lead to other work from parents. I have been asked to do 2 weddings since October but turned them down since I want to work as a second shooter on some before I do my own. You should seriously consider expanding your portrait business.

[Alleh]

You need a ton more practice to be successful as a photographer. You might be able to earn a couple bucks here and there but it won’t be profitable. Also for some reason most people can’t see past retail photography but that is only one place to make a living in the industry and definitely not the highest paying.

[Speeed]

I also love weddings but that is virtually impossible to break into because unless you have a lot of weddings under you you don't get hired by the bride, second photographer or even Bella.

I'll give you my story cause its short and sweet. well maybe not short.

I knew I wanted to take pictures for a living when the realization hit me that I enjoyed it infinitely more than my 9-5.

having always had a interest in photography it wasn't until a few years ago I got serious.
I started seeing pictures pop up on the net of dying architecture, abandoned places to be more specific. it blew me away. I thought I have to learn how to do that... http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w231/frejentrazac/Power/power209.jpg
that a was the start of something unbelievable and I never though that it would lead to where it has.

at my 9-5 I run a large format department for a advertising agency. we have an in house pro for product/catalog and model photography. the main part of his personal business is wedding photography.
he knew that I was a hobbyist as I would often go to him for advice.
one day he asked me to come out and shoot second camera with him on a wedding to which I laughed uncontrollably and told him FORGET IT! I have NO interest.
he asked me a few more times and I gave him the same response.
then one day he told me he was in a bind and could really use my help.
I very reluctantly agreed.
that was it! http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w231/frejentrazac/frejentrazac/godekpro.jpg

we trained for 6 months before he cut me loose.
I shot approx 25 weddings for(not with) him last year and have 30+ dates for this year. I've also managed to pick up 2 more wedding agencies.
I produce and sell my own prints and book my own wedding/event/advertising work
I make a very nice income from this and its steadily growing to replace my "primary" income from my 9-5.
I do not advertise, I don't even have a web site, yet I've managed to grow a nice little customer base through word of mouth, treating people right and most importantly "under promising and over delivering"

the long and short...
if this is what you really want to do, YOU CAN DO IT!
find a pro to latch onto even if it means working with him/her for free for a while.
it will handsomely pay for itself in the end

I will be leaving my 9-5 this year to "take pictures for a living"

[PeaceFire]

I fell into photography on accident. A few months before my (destination) wedding my photographer's mother fell very ill and she could no longer make the trip. With such little time left, and such a popular weekend, we couldn't find another photographer. So instead we bought a (cheap) DSLR and some (cheap) lenses and literally DIYed our wedding.

Since then I've always just done weddings or wedding related things (boudoirs and engagements, as well as some family portraits). It's what I got into back then, and it's what I feel most comfortable with. I'd LOVE to get into sports photography, but I didn't spend 9 months planning a sporting event. I planned a wedding and I know the ins and outs of that element of it and I feel comfortable doing it.

Getting my first wedding was surprisingly simple. I posted a "free" ad on Craigslist. I got a wedding within 20 minutes. But if that's not the way you want to get into weddings, work with a friend. If you are invited as a guest, ask the bride if their photographer is covering their rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and getting ready. If not, volunteer to take that portion with your camera. I can't imagine anyone saying no to that, and since it was something they didn't plan to have covered anyway- they have to expectations. And bring your camera along to the ceremony/reception. Edit the pics you take, and give them to the bride. I did this for a friend and she called me to thank me, and said my pictures were better then those she got from her photographers. She then refered me to her friend and I got my first paying wedding from that.

Just don't expect to make money right away. My first wedding was May of '08. I JUST did my first paying job (a boudoir session) two weeks ago. My first paying wedding is booked for September of this year. It took a while, but my patience is paying off and the "friend of a friend" is finally getting married.