Is it possible to get found without going to school?

I don't believe in 'getting found out'. I believe in hard work and self marketing. No one is being magically found out just by sitting at home and taking pictures. If you want a job as a photographer, you need to put yourself into a 'getting a job' mode, which mean- meeting potential employers, mailing potential employers, even asking friends to recommend you to others. I suggest you try doing some of these ideas, or make some on your own. Good luck! =]

Hi Seppy, You do NOT need to go to school or take classes to get into photography. And don't think that because you live in a small town you can't get started in your own business. I live in a small town (under 400 people) and my wife and I have a photography studio. We started in our basement, shooting our children. Since we invested in equipment, we decided to try and make a little money as a side business. It grew enough in the last two years that I quit my full time job. Now, from reading through the answers you are providing in these posts, I have a couple comments I strongly urge you to consider. 1.) Get a driver's license. I don't know where you live, but if it really is a small town, you will need to be able to get around. If you have public transportation and taxi's, you are not in that small of a town! (by my standards anyway) You can't have much success unless you are able to get around. (that is my honest opinion. I live in a place where it is unheard of to not have a driver's license, though. So if you can get around without one, then I guess this isn't a big deal.) 2.) Invest in a high quality camera that you can afford. Someone mentioned a Canon 30d. Great camera. Do NOT think you are going to be able to sell yourself as a "pro" walking around with a point and shoot camera. 3.) Don't waste your money on school, unless you really need to take classes to learn the basics. My line of thinking is that if you need to take classes to become a photographer, then you shouldn't become a photographer. You will learn more by studying your camera manual and learning how to use YOUR camera than you would probably learn at school. 4.) Visit photographer's websites. Find shots you like and think are neat. Then go out and PRACTICE shooting those with your camera. If you can't figure out how they did something, then try to find out how they did it. There is so much information on the internet about photography it will blow your mind! 5.) Join some forums where actual photographers hand out. Photographers are kind of funny about what they are willing to share, and who they share it with. I don't know why, they just are! But if a photog sees you are trying to learn, and you are polite to them and ask the right questions, they will usually be very helpful. If you truly have high quality images, I agree with what a lot of people are telling you - try to sell them as stock images. But don't be surprised if you never sell any of them, because there are millions of people who try to sell pics this way. And, a lot of them are going to be better than what you have to offer. I suggest you research equipment while you are waiting for enough money to buy yourself a quality camera. That way you will know what you want when you have the funds available. Ebay is a great place to buy your first camera IF you know what you are looking for and are careful about choosing the right seller. On the other hand, if you go to a store that specializes in cameras and equipment, then you usually will have a staff of people willing to help you if you need it. But you will learn a TON just by shopping for the right camera. That is how I got into it, honestly. Allow yourself to follow links that lead to more information and you will be amazed at what you can learn. By the way, the more you learn about the cameras, the more you will change your mind about which camera you will want. Or at least that is what happened in my case! But the point is that you will be learning! And that is truly the key to making yourself a valuable photographer. You will constantly be learning new techniques, new tips, and new points of view. Other wise you won't succeed. And you will need to constantly be learning more about what is available to you. Other wise you won't last. Sorry for the long answer, but I get kind of passionate about the topic! Good luck to you!

i think there is still a possibility even though it is quite slim... as long as you really produce a good work and other people acknowledge your work, you can be recognised through word of mouth... so try to establish yourself by taking pictures for your friends or send your work to enter a competition whenever you have a chance... it will take lots of hard work though... but i'm sure you will be able to make it if you have the will and determination... good luck... take care and have a nice day...

I think you have the approach backwards. There is not much of a market for pictures that are taken, then sent off because you like them. There is a huge market for photos taken that meet people's needs: in other words, you don't need a degree, or a drivers' license. You do need a decent camera and you need to know what people are buying. Then you need to take those particular photos in the style that sells. Landscape, travel, pets, all sell, but for stock, PEOPLE pictures are the best sellers by far. There are many people making very good livings just uploading pictures to stock and microstock libraries: there are a lot more wasting their time doing the same thing because they haven't made sure their photos meet the guidelines. Here is a site that might help you get started: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/

If you go to school you have a better chance, but you don't have to. It is real difficult if you can't get around to get a job, but you can always contact your newspaper and submit some of your photos. Don't expect to get paid right away, but if they like them then they could possibly use you to do projects on the side for pay of course. Just don't set your expectations too high though.

I have taken 2 years of classes in high school, but I am not "found" yet. I go to the library and take out as many books as I can on photography, and watch lots of youtube videos. I saved up some cash and splurged on a Canon 30d dslr camera with 2 lens. What is with all the information? Because after all of that, even though I am not found I have gotten myself a decent education and knowledge of photography that helps me out. I live in a small town, but my friends know of my experience and are constantly asking me to shoot things for them. I am 18 years old and so far I have done 4 paid shoots, doing a pregnancy,wedding,child and a shoot for my friend in the next year. Photography has a great saying, "To make a small amount of money you have to spend a lot first" Which in a way is true. I spent $500 on my camera, but I already paid it back with 2 shoots. Just ask around, bug your friends, make a portfolio to show off. Then start charging. Make sure you can prove your worth before you charge.

hi! Yes, I think you can be found by someone if you like photography and it is in your blood even without going to photography school, but you must be really big talent and the chance is really very very small! I also like photograhpy but have no money to go to university to study it :(

i don't know about making big money out of amateur photography but its possible to earn extra from them by submitting them to some legit sites and earn royalty fee from them after a year or so for each photo you submit. however i don't know if you can make a lot from it sooner because it takes time. sites available that pay you for photos buy your photos in bulk. means you have to submit a lot of photos to make few dollars from it. its quite hard so i gave up on that. but best luck to you maybe you'll succeed.