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You do not need to go to formal school to become a photographer but you have to learn it from somewhere be it from a class room environment or from you reading and doing things on your own.

1. A good portfolio (website) will speak for itself. Just make your portfolio fit to the people you are presenting it to. Example: If showing to a bride for a wedding, remove landscapes and corporate images they just want to see wedding images only and your style. If you have a website do the same and tailor it towards your clientele and leave the "fluff" images out.

2. You should learn the technical aspects of photography and your camera (composition, shutter speed, rules of thirds, depth of field etc), once you understand these you will be able to create better images.

3. Shoot in "M" (manual mode) because you will have more control over your camera and not the other way around. When you are in one of the "Auto" modes the camera will just read the highlights and shadow areas and try to get you a picture. The camera is not smart enough to know what you are shooting.

4. You can start reading all kinds of books on this subject and get information from the internet. This includes web based classes, manufactures web sites to personal blogs.

5. Buy the best DSLR camera that you can afford this also includes good lenses. Take out your camera and manual sit down and go over all the buttons and knobs etc.. this is the best way for you to learn what your camera can do.

6. Start shooting with your camera to get practice and from what you are learning from reading and doing you will get better. Practice does make perfect. Take notes while shooting and then look at your photos on the computer find the best one from that set and see what you did to get the shot and why you like it more than the others.

7. You can get yourself a job as a photographers assistant (be it payed or free) and learn from that person.

Since you have access to the internet here is a start: Some you have to pay for and some are free.. start with the free stuff of course.

http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/......

http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp......

http://www.shootsmarter.com/

http://www.webphotoschool.com/

http://www.lexar.com/dp/index.html?cmp=e...

Studio Lighting info

http://www.studiolighting.net/portrait-lighting-st...

Photoshop classes

http://www.russellbrown.com/

Just incase you need info on a degree

http://www.photographyschools.com/

Hope this helps,

Kevin

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No, most people don't care about degrees or anything like that. They just want really good pictures at a really good price. I started out over 7 years ago and just got my work out there by word of mouth. I showed as many people (like at work, family and friend) as possible and now I have no problem booking sessions when I want. Put together an album or cd with the best of your pictures and try to keep it handy. Good luck!

The best way forward is a Commerical Photography Degree!

Photography can be a very rewarding career if you are confident, competent and have all the technical know-how to make wonderful images. Imagine making images like Laurence Laborie : http://www.laurencelaborie.com/

That is what you can do when you are properly trained.

The opposite is to go out and fake it without training and have people chasing you shaking their fists in rage and disappointment. You won't enjoy it. You'll never feel fulfilled or happy.

I am a Laurence Laborie fan. Enjoy her website she is a real professional and a young woman too.

No degree required...just talent, determination and a portfolio of quality work will do more to sell who you are and what you can do than any degree or credential.

Show your work. Enter contests and make it know you are available.