What to do?

Argh...

To cut a long story short (although i know I will ramble for several paragraphs) I have really got into photography and REALLY want to do something with it ONE DAY.

I just dont know where to start? I had enrolled to finish my degree (which just happened to have changed and now includes a photography Major!!!) And the lady said I could jump straight to level 6. Wahoo, yay... except that is not happening now because I cant find care for both Jackson and Janaya. AND, the course wont be releasing their timetable until the week we are due to start. I was supposed to be doing it partime so there was just no way I could find care for my children part time if I didnt know which days I would be attending!!!

So.. Now I'm stuck.. Ive looked at night courses and they arent going to work either, because DH works shift work

Does anyone know any professional photographers? Do all of them have Diplomas in Photography? Do you think perhaps I could just start small and maybe just go and stalk peoples weddings or something?

I just need someone to hold my hand I think

Awww thanks Sheza, that would be fab. I think I was just getting stressed, thinking people would want to know the person taking their photographs was fully qualified IYKWIM.

Yeah I saw the first pics on her website, I tried to get into it but it just froze? i thought maybe because I was on dialup?
But they looked great. I have a loooooong way to go lol.

Does she get quite a bit of work?

Linky

try this one

yep she does a lot of weddings, she is actually cutitng back a bit cos its been getting too hard for her, as it takes her a long time to go through hundreds of photos and edited them all etc etc, its time consuming for sure.
She does animal portraits and babies aswell.

she did all cadens ones, and she is doing our wedding.

Edited by Sheza

I know a couple of photographers and none of them have diplomas. Try talking to the guys at Wellington Photographic Supplies and see if anyone is looking for an assistant it may mean you can study part time.
Does seem a shame that you have almost completed your studies not to finish.

The best photographers I've come across are the ones that are self taught. Our wedding photographer has won awards for photography and he's not qualified.

The best way is to get out there and start putting together your portfolio to show people.

Hi Kaiz

I have a few friends that are amateur and do professional shots for friends weddings or portrait sittings for $$.
Perhaps you could set up your own website in the meantime, outlining what kind of pictures you can do, what you are studying towards and some samples of your work and post it around.
I actually started an amateur photography club on another site which is open for anyone to join. You're most welcome to jump in anytime, we take turns at picking a theme for the group weekly and post our best. It could help with your site too as you would have lots of different types of photo's and have a good play around with your camera. I think one of the other girls does this as well (an amateur has a site, takes pics for money and uses the AP pics as samples), you could probably pick her brains.
Do you have an institute of technology or something like that nearby? They might also have some learner work shops at night that you could also take in the mean time with people in the same boat as yourself too.

Best of luck and PM me if you want to join us (and anyone else too) and have a go at the AP threads

I've heard through a friend whos Mum has been a photographer for years that you don't need credentials in fact one of the best ways to learn is to track down an photographer and become their right hand man. Learn everything you can and slowly work up a portfolio. Its a great way to network and you're on-site training.