If you've always wanted to make a living as a professional photographer, look no further. This guide on how to become a photographer shows you how.

In the pre-digital era, you had to buy film camera, take dozens of pictures, spend money on prints, and only then could you determine if you had a talent for photography. These days, almost every family (if not every person) carries one. It's easy to play around with digital cameras and decide you want to become a professional photographer. However, a career as a professional photographer is not all fun and glamour. You'll be required to shoot boring stuff in even more boring locations, work at the demand of a client, and sometimes, make less money than your friends who are accountants.Ken Rockwell: How to Become a Professional

Still want to be a professional photographer? Read on.

• The first thing you need to do to get your photography career started is to buy a camera. Here's how to go about it.

1. Just because you're shooting professionally, it doesn't mean you have to run out and buy the most expensive camera available. Expensive cameras only make it easier, they can't give you the talent. Start practicing with a cheaper camera until you learn the basics and know what you want out of the more expensive version.Ken Rockwell: How to Become a Professional Photographer
2. Decide whether you want to shoot in film or digital formats. As a professional, you should be able to deal with both. Digital is becoming increasingly common, but some jobs still require film. Make sure you know the market.Norman Koren: Digital camera vs. film
3. Apart from the camera, you'll also need to invest in a camera bag, lenses, a tripod, and other accessories. If you're going to do studio photography, you'll need need additional equipment, such as lights and backdrops.How To Do Things: How to Become a Photographer

• The one thing about being a photographer is that you'll never stop learning. However, before you start asking to be paid for photography, make sure you have the basics down.

1. Teach yourself using books and videos on the Internet. Practice, practice, practice. It's the only way to get better.Ken Rockwell: How to Become a Professional Photographer
2. Learn as much about the technology and as much about the workings of a camera as you can. Learn what makes a camera work and how to use that tool to take a good picture.A Photo Editor: Advice From a Photographer (November 10, 2007)
3. Attend college or vocational training programs. It will, however, cost money and time. If you don't have what it takes, a school won't be able to give it to you. It can help in polishing up your skills if you have them though.Ken Rockwell: How to Become a Professional Photographer
4. Take classes to learn the latest technology. Like many other types of equipment, cameras and camera accessories are constantly being improved (especially digital cameras). In addition, a lot of photography equipment may have multiple functions and can be difficult to teach yourself to operate. The days of point and shoot are long gone, and it will take a bit of tech savvy in order to make the most of today's cameras. Therefore, it can be vital to attend classes that can teach you everything that you need to know about the equipment that you are going to use.
5. Get as much experience as you can. Volunteer for a local newspaper, or to shoot a few weddings, or to take up assignments. Contact professional photographers for interning opportunities.How To Do Things: How to Become a Photographer
6. Study the greats. What is getting published, how do famous photographers work, what are the subjects most in demand? What do you need to do to be a successful photographer? What makes a good photograph?Digital Camera Reviews & Photography Tips: Tips to Become Freelance Photographer (May 31, 2005)
7. Along with photography, learn how to run your own business. As an independent photographer, you're going to need to know the skills of finding clients, negotiating a price, and getting the work done. Think like you're running a business.Proof Positive: How to Become a Professional Photographer(November 23, 2005)

• Once you've learned what makes a good picture and how to take it, you need to start getting work in order to build a good portfolio. This will enable you to get paying jobs in the future. Your portfolio can be print or online. You might even want to utilize both formats.PhotoCritic.org: Creating a photography portfolio

1. Submit your photography to contests and magazines. Even if they're contests that don't pay a lot, it'll help you hone your craft.Digital Camera Reviews & Photography Tips: Tips to Become Freelance Photographer
2. Ask people for critiques of your work. You could go online and participate in online photo forums, or you could team up with other photographers.How To Do Things: How to Become a Photographer
3. Intern with a working professional photographer. You might have to work for free initially, because the openings for Assistant Photographers are very few, but there are many advantages:Proof Positive: How to Become a Professional Photographer(November 23, 2005)
   1. Networking.
   2. Learning and experience.
   3. Seeing how a professional works.

• Once you've started photographing the world around you and have some idea of the different kinds of photography there are, and which types of work you most enjoy, it's time to hone in on one.

• There are several ways of classifying the types of photography, but Photography.com gives a broad overview.Photography.com: Types of Photography

1. Photojournalism: Fact-based photography, usually news events. You may be working with a reporter or even writing stories yourself.Mark Hancock: What is a Photojournalist? (January 01, 1996)
2. Documentary photography: Documentary photographers usually shoot a series of images to tell a story.History Matters: Making Sense of Photos
3. Action: This is usually the kind of photography sports photographers undertake.Photo.net: Sport photos: a how-to and tip guide
4. Macrophotography: In this category, pictures are usually taken at very close range, for instance, of insects.Wikipedia: Macro Photography
5. Microphotography: Special cameras are needed for this kind of photography, which usually deals with extremely small objects.Mic-UK: Microphotography on a shoe-string
6. Glamour: Also known as fashion photography, this is the stuff that graces the covers of magazines.Wikipedia: Glamour Photography
7. Aerial: As the name suggests, aerial photography refers to the art of taking photographs from the air. This is usually for military purposes, surveys of sites, and sometimes news pieces.Photo.net: Aerial photography tips and tricks
8. Underwater: Usually undertaken by scuba drivers or snorkelers, this one's for you if you're fond of the water.Photo.net: Underwater Photography: A primer from Photo.net
9. Art: This kind of photography has no fixed definition, but must have some aesthetic value to be considered art.Art History: What is Art?
10. Portraiture: This is probably the most popular, since it concerns taking photographs of people.Knowledge Rush: What is Portraiture?
11. Wedding: Wedding photographers are highly paid, and is usually where most start out.Digital Photography School: 21 Tips for Amateur Wedding Photographers
12. Advertising: Probably the most lucrative of all, advertising photography not only pays well, but also guarantees a steady stream of work. Photo-Seminars.com: The Concept
13. Travel: For people who love to travel and live in style, travel photography is a great way to see the world for your work.Fodor's Focus on Travel Photography: Travel Photography Tips

• Finding jobs as an independent photographer can be tough, but if you've learned how to take good pictures and be a good businessperson, it doesn't have to be too hard. Here are some of your options.PowerHomeBiz.com: Starting a Home-Based Photography Business

1. Become a stringer for a newspaper: A stringer is usually a freelance journalist/photographer, who contributes reportage to a news publication, but is not an employee, and is paid for each piece of published work. Typically, a newspaper shoot pays approximately $100-250. It can act as side money for when you're starting out and helps you get some news experience.Ken Rockwell: How to Become a Professional Photographer
2. Start a small business: You can specialize in something, such as portraits or architecture and market yourself to people as the go-to person for these kinds of photographs.Ken Rockwell: How to Become a Professional Photographer Put out an ad in the paper and ask your friends for references.
3. Photograph weddings on the weekend. It's a good way to put in a few hundred dollars in your bank account every week or month, at least initially.Ken Rockwell: How to Become a Professional Photographer
4. Send your portfolio to photo editors at magazines. You can find hundreds of magazines in the local bookstore. Contact them.Danny Steyn: How to become a professional photographer

• The life of an independent photographer isn't necessarily easy, but it's definitely fun. Follow the steps above, and you'll be living the career of your dreams very soon.