[sarahgirl777]

Great Great Great post. I am new at this whole thing myself, but I can't tell you how many hours I've spent educating myself. Yes I've done a few photographs in the mean time for friends and family to help me learn and build my portfolio, but my main concentration has been on education. I've read a lot about my camera, lenses, and especially lighting, I feel it's a constant learning experience and there is always room for improvement. I have only had my camera since Sept. and I have already come so far. A lot of it has been because of my education and practice. Yes I have a website, business cards etc. but I also have all my business forms in place and a bookkeeping strategy. I have contacted the IRS and my local regulations for photography businesses. I am available for photo shoots, but I'm not yet advertising cause I'm still perfecting my art and educating myself.

I also see so many people posting that they are starting a business but are taking photos on Auto and don't know what 1/2 of the camera jargon means... Then I look at the pictures they are trying to charge for and it's really sad. With all that said, yes education is important, and yes a lot of people can go out and buy a DSLR, but photography is also an art and not everyone with a camera is an artist nor deserves to call themselves a photographer.