The photos speak for themselves

YES BECAUSE PEOPLE NEVER SHOT SPORTS BEFORE 7D AF CAME OUT

it's pretty easy to get wrapped up in cameras and equipment but ultimately they're just tools to do the job, weighing in at a fraction of the importance of taking great photos.

as for a career path, photography is extremely challenging. you need above-average skills in business/marketing, social skills, ambition, etc.

Photographer as a future job??

Don't do it.

This, or just learn, and wait for the market.

If you were my son/daughter I would never encourage you to become a pro photographer.
Do it as a hobby and get a 'real' job to pay for this expensive hobby.
Then, if you still like it and become good at it, get pro and if, only IF you get market opportunity, change your career path and get into photography as your main job.
But to go right into pro, no.

As far as cameras are concerned, since you are using a point and shoot, you need to upgrade into a SLR.
I switched from a Canon Powershot to a Rebel xsi and I love it.
But now I find myself limited in some aspects, but you need to remember that not only the camera does the job, but the lenses as well, and most of it the person behind it.
It is a very expensive hobby.
Good luck!

This. Yuck, gotta dish out 3k for my point & shoot canceler device.

This post was edited by onepagememory on May 15 2011 02:38pm

respectfully, i disagree with this advice. if you're not eating/living/breathing photography, it's very unlikely you'll ever make it as a professional. photography can never be your "plan b". you need to give it 110% and even then it's probably not enough.

While you may be right in some cases, unfortunately not everyone will have the artistic talent it takes to become a professional. You won't know whether or not you have the potential until you first try it, so it's still better to start it off as a hobby, and if you find you really have the knack for it, consider it as your Plan A. Setting it as Plan A from the get go doesn't seem like a very good option imo.

You are still young, with the attitude that goes with it.
Sure as long as your parents are paying for your food/rent/transportation you can live off them and dream of photography.
When you put your feet back on earth again, and make a budget, you'll understand.

How much money do you need to make a living?
Do you want kids later? (if you think that photography is expensive, kids a a billion more times expensive).
Do you want to own a house? Have your own studio?
Do you want to drive a decent car or drive a 1988 civic to go to your job sites?

First, you need to get a life, then make your life around photography.

You won't (as far as I know) make a living off taking pictures of extreme sports.
If you want to do weddings (where I think there is more money to make), you need to look professional.
That means having experience, knowing what you are doing and have a care that is not a 88 civic.
Cause if I was getting married and paying big bucks for my unique event, I would choose someone that I feel I can trust.

Ofc if your parents are filthy rich, you will have no problem.
But if you must work to get your way, you WILL need a job first.

You can live/breathe/eat and even shit photography everyday even if you have a better paying job.

I do think about photography all the time, always have my camera in my purse even when I do groceries shopping.
Yet I haven't made a penny with photography.
When I retire my actual 72k/year career, I plan on going into photography.

When you grow up, you can re-read my post and see I wasn't that much off the track.