how do I?

[MRCPix]

so I am very interested in making money using my camera and I have been shooting for several years. My question is how do I get into the business do I have to have a degree in photography or what?
any one with suggestions on how to get going in this business would be greatly appreciated.

I would probably start out doing nights and weekends unless I get lucky and can get to a point to make enough money to do it full time.

thanks
Mike Carnes

[babybluetx23]

What I have done is This. I work a 40 hour a week job and I posted photos in my cube. Most people have then asked me where I got the photos. I tell them I took them. From that point people have asked me if I can take photos of .......... (Fill in the blank) At that point I have made a little bit of money and added to my own portfolio. At that point it has become word of mouth and I have a website I point people to.
Most of my business has been word of mouth.

[Clayton Wallace]

Mike,

I bet you'll get a lot of posts on this one. Most people here have at least contemplated this thought. The photos in your gallery are nature. Are you planning to shoot stock/assignment for nature? That has its own set of issues, though nearly all of my comments to follow apply as well. There is a great deal of information on this site by others more experienced and smarter than myself. Try photo.net as well as dpreview and fredmiranda. This is a very common theme!

Let me preface everything by saying ANYBODY can take good pictures AND make money with a camera. My 8 year old can. However, making a profit and providing consistent professional products take experience, skill, and determination. Oh, and lots of business sense. I honesty think the business sense may be more important than straight photo skill. Some of the most profitable photo businesses produce only average photos..not to enourage mediocrity you understand!

I totally went backdoor, meaning I've done very little the traditional way. I minored in art in college, but wasn't that serious about it until I got into digital photography when I was teaching high school graphic arts, photo and yearbook in 1999. Then I jumped in with both feet, teaching myself more photographic skills, Photoshop, etc. I really saw myself as a nature photographer (still do in many ways) up until I decided/realized I could (and needed to) make money shooting. There are many ways to make money in photography, and for a while I sold nature work. However, like I said I realized there was more money to be made in other areas, so I'm now focused on weddings, portraits, events and commercial. Getting started, I photographed family, friends and so forth to get a good portfolio. Word spreads when you do good work, and so I got my DBA, tax permit, etc. and went official. I remade my website from nature, and have just remade it once again as I refocus my efforts in certain areas (and let others go). I'm hugely invested in the digital aspect, both in $ and belief. My website is the hub of my business and it is crucial as advertising, contact, and purchase point.

Having said all that, don't quit your day job. Have a business plan and stick to it (though you can change it of course). Reevaluate your focus and profit margins regularly, find your core market and tailor nearly everything you do to that market. Get professionals to help you where you are weakest. Be the manager of your endeavors, not the jack-of-all-master-of-none. For example, I happen to have some decent web design skills (I also teach as my day job...until I go full time photo), so that helped me. If you don't, HIRE someone. I can't tell you how many incredible photos I've seen on TERRIBLE looking and functioning websites.

NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK...I have a friend who isn't the best photographer in the area and still quite new to even some of the 'basics'. However, she has incredible networking skills and is rarely without a job.

There are way more things to think about before jumping in including startup costs, taxes, competition, etc...

Best Wishes,

Clayton