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I would say that an SLR weather it be film or digital would be the only choice for professional photography. The ammount of flexibility is unmatched by even the best point and shoot cameras.

As far as schooling goes it depends on what kind of professional photography you plan on doing. If your talking weddings, school is unnecessary. If your looking to do photography for some large photography firm or business then they may require schooling.

Nowadays you will want a digital SLR for professional shooting, Canon or Nikon, it's all personal taste. If you do go to school you will have to start with a 35mm film camera with the ability to function completely manual. As far as going to school, it's not totally necessary but will help you learn. I have a degree in photography and the only person I know who actually works as a professional photographer never went to school for it. More important is the quality of your work, assembling a good portfolio, and networking. Photography isn't neccessarily one of those professions in which a degree is absolutely needed, it's more about your actual talent and skill.

you can't go wrong witha cannon or nikon, howevever there are several brand names a professional photogapher might choose. remember it's not the camera that takes the photo... it's the photog.

eastman kodack has a great photo school, but several colleges/universities offer photo classes.

you don't have to have a degree to become a professional photographerbut it's like everything else, the person who has a degree is looking just a little bit better than the person who doesn't. david hume kennerly, a pulitzer prize winning photogapher doesn't have a degree in photography but then he's just gifted, also. hope this helps.

First things first.

Go to school and get a degree in business, art, and minor in photography. If you look up the most successful photographers, they didn't go to a photography school for their degrees. I definitely recommend taking photography courses in seminars, and getting first hand experience through interning.

As far as cameras, get one that you can afford and has the flexibility to let you control, 'f'-stop, shutter speed, and focus. At this point, I don't recommend going overboard on equipment as the equipment changes almost as fast as your change the style of your hair.

By aligning yourself with a professional organization through internship, you will develop a better understanding on what camera as well as peripheral equipment is essential to success.

Nikon D40

school would help you a lot with skills and it would give you a big edge to employers over those who didn't go to school

but school isn't at all mandatory and you can still be a successful photographer w/o it

i live in georgia, and the best school i know is Savannah College of Art and Design. NYU also has a school of arts w/ photography that is really good

good luck

I'm no expert on cameras, but I know the Ringling School of Arts in FL is a very prestigious school.