starting photograhy career

[XshannonrolfeX]

okay so advise is needed.

this is what i will do in the future as a photographer, i will do it no matter what people say.

http://mediastorm.org/0007.htm

just asking does anyone know how to get into this business. where do i start.

help

[Stealthy Ninja]

Documentary photography?

Like video/film documentaries, the market isn't huge. But if it's your choice, that's cool.

I'd start by getting a book (meaning a photo book, there are various companies that do this, apple have the service built into the iphoto program) of your work made and taking it to some magazines or something that specialise in this sort of thing. If you're good enough, they may sponsor you and send you on assignment or something. Either that, or you could approach them with a topic/subject you want to explore and see if they'll back you up. The latter may be the best way to go. If it were a documentary (video) you'd get a script/presentation done and send it to different stations/documentary production companies. You better get good at selling your idea, because that's what you'd be doing.

Either that, or get a book sorted out and contact publishing companies.

Good luck!

[vdao1972]

Shannon,

I am glad that you have discovered Mediastorm. You might also want to check out the KobreGuide (http://www.kobreguide.com/).
Have you seen War Photographer? If not, definitely watch it because the subject of the documentary is probably the greatest documentary photographer (www.jamesnachtwey.com/) living.
Also, check out lightstalkers (http://www.lightstalkers.org/) and VII Visionaries (http://viiphoto.ning.com/).
As for advice on how to get there.... Its tough because there are so many different avenues. All with their pros and cons. In an earlier reply to one of your posts, I gave you some ideas for where to start.
I can however, tell you how I made photography my lifes work. I never planned on making it my living. It was just a hobby that I really liked and it got me into punk shows for free. After graduating with a Bachelors in Political Science, I waited tables for 5 years to try to figure out what to do. Since I was in a holding pattern, I left California and moved to Southeast Asia.
Based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, I worked as an administrator of an english learning school whilst shooting merrily away in possibly one of the most photogenic countries in the world.
Then I got my break. My roommate was a journalist for a paper and his photographer flaked out on him so I offered to shoot the story for him. After getting the front page of the weekend edition, the editor looked at some of my other work, liked it and asked me to start contributing. Four years later, I am still shooting, making a difference (hopefully) and making a living on it.
Once again, I hope this helps and feel free to PM me if you need any more information.

Vinh