How do you get a job in photography?

[ruth b]

Although not professionally trained, im a highly talented photographer.

How do I go about turning my hobby into a career?

[Mujer Bonita]

Go apply at a family poitrait studio or a news paper photographer.

[Kezza]

Write to photographers you admire and try to get taken on as an assistant. That's how most people get started.

[kat]

This is a really competitive industry and so it is best to get some background training - unless you have something really special then you need to find a unique way to market yourself, good luck x

[WellTraveledProg]

I did just that a little over a year ago -- it's both easy and hard!

A lot depends on what kind of photography you want to do, or what you're good at. If it's portraits and weddings, put together a web page with samples of your work, start offering to do portraits for family and friends, and then advertise. Advertise a LOT. I'm in the local yellow pages, in the newspaper, and I send out mailers to businesses and homes in my area.

If you do more commercial work, get together a sample CD and a portfolio, and get them in front of the people who would buy your images. I'd suggest buying one of the "Photographer's Market" guides at your local bookstore, they have contact info for all of the magazines and other image buyers in the US, plus tips on getting started.

Nobody is going to just magically know how good you are -- you have to constantly push your images out to people that might hire you. Another good idea is to work with some local organizations, and do some "free" work for them as a way of getting exposure. Offer to shoot the Chamber of Commerce social for free, or do some free work for the local schools or churches. Have business cards printed and ready, and hand them out to everybody you meet at these events.
It'll pay off with return business (that is paid work).

Finally, think about getting on some of the microstock sites (like istockphoto, bigstock, etc.). You won't get rich from these, but good images will sell, and can keep a nice steady extra income flowing.
My web page is below -- have a look.
And good luck!

[highpicture577]

go to university and do a course.

[Legna]

You DON'T need to go to school. What you really need is time, patience and talent.
As someone said, you should call around and find photographers that might be looking for assistants. In this business you need work your way up the food chain, starting at the bottom. While assisting, DON'T screw up! One mistake can cost you everything. Do your own photography and a put together a portfolio.
I wouldn't recommend working at a portrait studio if being a professional photographer is what you wanna do. I work in one, I studied photography in college for 2 years and this is NOT what I wanted to do, but it's where I've wound up.
Photographers are a dime a dozen, so master you craft.

[lisa w]

Check this out http://www.pcworkathome.net/getpaidforphotos.html