Have a read of this three main types of photographer. By identifying one of them, you will quickly and easily be able to see how the information guides relates to you and how your chances of success vary according to the areas and topics of photography. You may find similiarities in more than one description, so make sure to read all of this advice as it will help greatly improve your chances of making money from your photographs.
BEGINNER ( Inexperienced Amateur )
You've been taking snapshots on a compact camera for a while, but havent have a DSLR for long. You have caught the photo bug and love taking pictures for anything and everything, but get frustrated that you dont have the all fundamental khowledge needed to take full control of your photos. So you often shoot in fully automatic mode when you want to be sure to get a decent shot, while experimenting with the various modes and learning from your mistakes. You regularly photoghraph your family, friends, and you try to dedicate some spare time to shooting interests, such as the garden, landscapes or potraits. In term of gear, you've got the basic:
an entry level DSLR with a kit lens, possibly a budget telephoto like the 55-200mm. You've a nice little gadget bag, a basic tripod but few if any specialist bits of kit like a flash gun. You rate your photographic skills'OK, but could do more', but among your many near misses, you've have some shots you rate as 'very good' to 'excellent'.
ETHUSIAST ( Advanced Amateur )
You've used a DSLR for a number of years and quite posibble owned a 35mm DSLR too. You rate yourself as a very competent photographer who know most, if not all, of the basic requirements to get a perfectly sharp, well-exposed image. You're recognised by those you know as a very good photographer and most likely have been asked not only for copies of your images, but also to take some shots of friends and family too. Your passion for photography is as strong as ever and while you've a good level of expertise, you crave new ideas, techniques and skills to learn, to help expand your talents. You don't earn significant amounts of moneys from your photos, but you've a strong idea that you could do based on comparing your work to others, from what you've been told and from your modest successess so far, which could involve shooting the odd weekend wedding to selling images on stock libraries.
You've a decent camera outfit based around a mid-range DSLR (with possibly an older , entry-level model as back-up). your lenses are all good quality and as well as a good standard zoom, you've a telezoom, an ultra wide-angle and possibly a specialist lens like a macro, as well as a 50mm f/ 1.8 and a creative option like a Lensbaby. You've a flashgun, sturdy tripod, a good quality gadget bag or backpack and quite possible have, or are thinking of getting, a lighting system. You are fairly competent in Photoshop and other digital techniques and print your best images on a high quality inkjet printer.
SEMI-PRO ( Advanced Ethusiast )
You may not have a part time job as a photographer, but you know you have the creative skills and competency to make serious money from photography. Taking pictures is a major passion in your life and you rarely go out anywhere without your DSLR, as it would pain you to see a great photo opportunity and not to be able to capture it. For this reason, you own a premium compact that you can carry around withyou for when a DSLR isnt practical. You want to live the dream of going pro but unfortunately, for whateveer reason, the time isnt quit right, but you have a rough plan and a strong desire to one day make a living as pro. You're skilled at most of the photo techniques, but read photo magazine for inspiration and ideas and to see how others earn a crust. You regularly enter photo competitions not only to try to win, but as challenge to help you improve your skills. You earn a modest but good income from the odd job, such as potrait or wedding shots, selling images to local businesses and from commissions from online stock libraries. You're on your second or third DSLR, having upgraded to a model you're now satisfied delivers the quality you need. You have a good mix of lenses, with some if not all being premium optics. Among your f/2.8 zooms you have a 50mm, 100mm macro, a premium wide angle and maybe a teleconveter and/or set of extension tubes too. You've a decent collection of photo accessories including reflectors, lighting, a remote release, a couple of tripods and gels/diffusers to use with your dedicated flashgun.
