I'm probably not a very good source, but if you need it you need it, and I might be able to give you a somewhat different perspective.
Name: Alex Turco
Age: 19
Years Being a Photographer: "Professionally?" About 5 months. Otherwise, 3 years.
Fav. Type of Pictures: Feature/news (ie something like Life or Nat'l Geographic)
How Much: I don't get paid on a picture basis, but by the month. And it's not good pay: $40 a month, but I don't make any otherwise (college student) and it has more or less become a part-time job time commitment wise. I have sold art prints from about $30 up to $300, but not that many of them.
Freelancer vs. Spec. Company: I get paid/assignments from my company (college paper) whereas I wouldn't work if I was a freelancer.
Why do I like Photography: I'm very shy/ uncomfterble in social situations, and a camera is my way of interfacing with the world. I also enjoy the process, from taking to editing, the challege, the techincalities of the gear, the results, the reactions I get. Really nearly everything about it: it satisfies both a desire to capture what I see (I'm a very very visual person. Very.) and to get positive feedback, which is more important to me than I'd usually admit. I also enjoy having something to do, as I'm a boring person and don't party/drink/whatever. And making some money is nice (pay goes up next year by a fair chunk!).
Am I an artist: I have created art, but I see myself in my 'professional' role as a journalist, not an artist. If I happen to make art in the process, then I'm doubly pleased.
Inspiration? Of course, not only can photography inspire wonder about the world around us, it can inspire a desire for action: images of abject poverty and destruction force us to acknowledge problems that would otherwise be forgotten, left by the wayside. The power to capture a memory is an amazing thing.
I hope this is somewhat helpful. Also, this is due next week? When do you go on break? (Or are you in some position wherein US school/college breaks correspond poorly with your breaks?)
