Best ways of Breaking into Photogrpahy ?

I've been told this is a great place to ask this question,so here goes. As many have, I have been laid off now since January.this has left me searching for manufacturing work,which I am afraid there isn't a whole lot of northeast of Boston. Thats not the real point. I find myself with time,something I never had before.My passion is photogarphy,and I have been in and out of it ever since I had my first Pentax K1000.
I have been practicing Photoshop and am actually getting good with layers and masks.Also working quite a bit with HDR as well.
But heres the question: whats the best way to actually make a little money in Photogarphy? I have offered my services free of charge for editing and retouching,with little results. I thought maybe I could take the overflow for pro's who have better things to do than color balance or get rid of artifacts or blemishes on images. I also thought of getting a Nikon Coolscan V scanner and doing slides and neg scans, but ahven't found one yet for a good price.
I am willing to put in the time and already have especially with post processing, but I'm sure I will learn a lot more with a little guidance.
I have also been told to show my images to locak resterraunts and place s where they might sell,but I'm still not sure what would sell,and I'm not much of a promotor either.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Photogrpahy, photogarphy??
Not much advice here since I don't make money taking pictures. The only advice I do have is first knowing how to spell Photography.

I guess it would help If I could type too, but I really am better at photography !

Their are so many different paths in photography without knowing where you are and where you want to go it is impossible to answer the question of how to get started. When Alice meet the Cheshire cat at the fork in the road and asked him what direction to go he asked her where she wanted to get to and she replied I don't know to which he answered then it doesn't matter. Funny how children stories explain some of the most simple concepts in life.

Since I can't seem to ask the right question,what question should I be asking?Lets see,its been said I need a niche,yet I ask myself,why peghole yourself into just one thing.the other problem with that is,what If you do something you like and no one really cares for it.We all sort of get pegholed before we ever start anyway. I live in Massachusetts,near the coast. I thought well maybe since I like landscapes,seascapes would be just as well.Maybe they are, maybe they aren't.
I also volunteered my services to others to help with there images.Now this is for free,yet absolutely no takers at all.Does this mean everyone is already as good as they'll ever be? I hope not for there sake. I know I try and learn from every image I take and everyone I see.
I guess If someone asked me this same question, I would have to answer it with more questions.But I'm not sure Alice in Wonderland, or even knowing how to spell Photography would even enter into it.
Then again ,If you usually ask a question,you usually get some information and learn from the answer.
Where am I in Photography ?Guess I'm not really sure myself.

Bsmooth wrote in post #8363787
But heres the question: whats the best way to actually make a little money in Photography?

Taking "other people's pictures". What I mean is photographing things that customers want you to photograph, rather than taking the images that you like and then trying to find a buyer for the images.

Photographers who shoot portraits, weddings, senior pictures, kid's league sports events, people's pets, etc. have a much easier time making an income than do photographers who photograph what they like and then try to sell the images to publishers or advertising agencies.

With the aforementioned types of images, you start with a customer, then shoot the images they want you to shoot. You automatically have a market for the images. With the latter, you shoot the images, then have to find a buyer for them. That's quite difficult, and can lead to weeks in which you receive little or no income.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #8365735
Taking "other people's pictures". What I mean is photographing things that customers want you to photograph, rather than taking the images that you like and then trying to find a buyer for the images.

Photographers who shoot portraits, weddings, senior pictures, kid's league sports events, people's pets, etc. have a much easier time making an income than do photographers who photograph what they like and then try to sell the images to publishers or advertising agencies.

With the aforementioned types of images, you start with a customer, then shoot the images they want you to shoot. You automatically have a market for the images. With the latter, you shoot the images, then have to find a buyer for them. That's quite difficult, and can lead to weeks in which you receive little or no income.

+1 I shoot HS sports. My passion is landscapes and nature but they don't really sell. You also need to expand on what you offer, for example I offer a slide show for each sport that I shoot. When I sold the first one, for football, word got out and since then each team has purchased one each year. When it comes to school sports, the T&I are the most profitable.
Will the income ever replace the income from my full time job? NO it won't but the income that it does produce is nice to have and I'm having fun.

Many full time photographers are hurting now. Some have resorted to working for others and some have taken other jobs to pay bills.

Mike R wrote in post #8365820
+1 I shoot HS sports. My passion is landscapes and nature but they don't really sell. You also need to expand on what you offer, for example I offer a slide show for each sport that I shoot. When I sold the first one, for football, word got out and since then each team has purchased one each year. When it comes to school sports, the T&I are the most profitable.
Will the income ever replace the income from my full time job? NO it won't but the income that it does produce is nice to have and I'm having fun.

Many full time photographers are hurting now. Some have resorted to working for others and some have taken other jobs to pay bills.

Tell me about it!

Alright then simple question: Best way to break into photography? simple answer: Take better photos!

When attempting to break in somewhere one of these can be mighty handy...

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Alleh wrote in post #8366088
Alright then simple question: Best way to break into photography? simple answer: Take better photos!

Geez, I wish it was that easy

Good advice above! More...

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How did you become a pro (or semi-pro)?

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PhotosGuy wrote in post #8368901
Good advice above! More...

The 10 Myths Of Freelancing (And What It’s Really Like)

How did you become a pro (or semi-pro)?

Starting Your Photo Biz… Part 1: You Sure ‘Bout That?

What advice would you offer a new pro photographer?

If you knew then, what you know now...

Those are some sweet links, wow

PhotosGuy wrote in post #8368901
Good advice above! More...

The 10 Myths Of Freelancing (And What It’s Really Like)

How did you become a pro (or semi-pro)?

Starting Your Photo Biz… Part 1: You Sure ‘Bout That?

What advice would you offer a new pro photographer?

If you knew then, what you know now...

As usual, outstanding information

The only advice I can give is go big or go home.

You need to do it big, do great work and people will come to you!

When I started photography 3 years ago, I started with a Rebet XT and 18-55. WHen I decided to make a living from photography, I then decided to sell my car and I purchased a 1D MarKII and 1Ds MarkII. At the same time, I decided to purchase my 70-200 f2.8L and my 24-70 f2.8L lenses. I have never sold the lens and I only recently sold the 1DsMKII for the 5DII. Yes I got a big bill but I had nothing to blame but me for the quality of my images. I then went through the entire lineup of L series Lenses and sold some kept some...

Anyway, I have save myself money and headaches by going directly to the best equipment instead of going the bargain route to then purchase the same lenses I own today!