How difficult would it be to start a career in photography at my age?

I have been into photography for the last 5 years or so. I'm 27 but will be turning 28 this July. I've signed up for a photography course this summer at a local university. Sometimes I feel like I'm too old to start a career so late. I'm interested in portrait photography. My wife stands behind me 100%. Other ppl in my family think I've lost my mind. Can anyone give me any advice. Thanks, and have a great weekend.

You're the same age I was when I went in to professional photography.

The main issue is to get your basic skills right - photographic and business - as you won't survive without them.

Courses are fine, but I'd also consider trying to visit the very best photographers you can find, as your limits will be defined by the quality of your course and tutors, or by your mentor if you become an assistant... by definition most courses and photographers are going to be 'average' and you have to aspire well beyond that if you are going to get past the safety zone and into success.

Before you go for it I would get some folks to critique your work and give you personal advice. I would also do a very honest self appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses - ask friends and relatives to do this too, ideally by some anaonymous and averaged mechanism (a 360 degree appraisal). A Myers-Briggs test could be useful:
http://www.tickle.com > "career personality test" then look for the 4 type letters which you can google + "career".

You can earn well out of photography if:
You have a good portfolio.
Ideally a track record and qualifications (which will come hopefully but start submitting images now and start to dip your toe in the water for commissioned work as soon as you feel able).
Your service levels are appropriate - ideally excellent.
You are equipped to do the job.
Your marketing is effective.
Your pricing is appropriate.
You have a well thought out sales mechanism.

The three keys are your product / service, your pricing and marketing, your cash flow... never neglect the last one.

Be aware that as someone who is self employed you are going to have to commit a lot of time and effort to improve your skills and grow your business - it's going to be hard work. Can you commit to 80 or 100 hour weeks... that's probably what you are in for unless you can build a really good support network, get a top class mentor and work smartly.

There can be a lot of money in portraiture if you get your ducks in a row and you can target and approach your market effectively.

I don't want to p*ss on the parade above but it is a lot harder than it sounds - put some money behind you, get various advice on the right kit to invest in, because you are going to have to make a personal decision, make a plan based on that advice.

Mail me offline and I'll happily do a Skype call with you to give you more advice.

Good luck - and welcome to the mad house!

First off, I think you're nuts for having doubts. Do yourself a favor and lose the "I'm too old to..." idea. At best, it's self-defeating. I know people who have changed careers in their 40s and haven't looked back even once. You're never too told to start anything. If you go through life thinking you are too old to do this or that, then you will be too old no matter what your age actually is.

Second, just get in there and do it if it's what you want to do. Do you really want to look back on your life and realize you backed out of anything at all solely because of what other people thought?

It's your life. You should be the one living it. Nobody else. Don't let others live their lives through yours, or tell you how to live your life. Only you can decide that.

Take that class. Buy that camera. Because you just don't know - this could be the smartest decision you've ever made, or the stupidest. You just won't know until you try.

Think of it this way at 27 you still have about 40 years left to work. Why not give it a try if it is what you would like to do. Take the classes, try to find a job as a photographers assistant and see what you think. The key to a successful career in photography aside from talent and knowlege is business skills. If you are good at business then with the right training and talent you can be successful. Good luck

I worked with a physician who used to be a singer (in a bar). She got her MD when she was 50. Happily working and the patients love her.

I also worked with a physician (who was also a pilot) in the Air Force. He was a nurse!

One of my students--was a police officer. She's in her 2nd year of nursing program, and she's one of our (few) adult students. Others look up to her for her wisdom.

If you're old at 27, what am I? :-)

At the risk of sounding cliche, you're never too old to follow your dreams- don't live in regret and be 65 and wonder what if....
Just take the dream slowly- start as a freelancer, or "hobby business" and then when and if takes off, transition into a full-time career!

your not THAT old...lol... especially when you think, ok this is going to be what im doing for the next.... 30years?? go with what makes you happy.

if its what you want to do GO FOR IT!!

Dont let anyone tell you that you cant and dont give up

Never too old, I started at age 50. Now 54. If you don't try it , you will regret it!