Finding my niche?

I know that I want photography to be a successful lifestyle for me. Not just a hobby. I want to live behind the camera. I know I love to take pictures but I havn't really found my niche yet.
I am in photo 1 and when I started, I knew I loved photography, I worked at Walgreens in the photo dept..and there are no photo's of me in the house bc I'm always the one behind the camera.
But I feel through my young photography career I have basically drifted taking pictures of things I didn't really care about..or just my surroundings..rather than taking art like I dream about.
I guess what I am asking is..how did you decide what type of photography you wanted to take and why? Whether Landscape or portraits. I find that every aspect of photography grabs my attention and it's hard to go in one direction or another. But I need a direction. How do I find my niche? I love portraits! But I also love landscapes..and photojournalism. How do you decide a path?!

Ask yourself what your interests are? What photos do you enjoy going over and over?

Experiment and learn all you can of the many facets of photography. As you experiment and learn more skills, your interests will eventually start to take form as to what your niche will be.

Check out betterphoto.com
There are forums, clubs, classes and contests you can participate in that should be able to help you along in the right direction.

Good luck and HAVE FUN!!

I knew a couple of amateur band photographers. So one day I took a film camera to a concert. I was ok. I actually learned how to zoom in when the second band played. I kept going to gigs and people thought my photos looked like the ones you see in magazine. So, I was like "what the hell I'll give this band photography thing a go."
I started my own company and have just kept taking photos of bands. I'm finally getting somewhere.

I don't see why you can't be a landscape and portrait photographer. Taking portraits is fun. I do a little bit of promo work too. Photojournalism will take a few years to get anywhere. How about you become a photojournalist and take landscape photos on the side? Get enough money and you can make your own studio for portraits.

I think you kind of fall into a path. I live in the states desert southwest nearly 30 miles from the nearest settlement. Landscape was a natural for me. I enjoy the female form so I do bodyscape work as well. My wife mostly.

I like hands-on printing and I like chemistry. So I have specialized in alternative process handmade bodyscape and landscape prints.

Best question I've ever answered!

I looked at thousands of photos by people I admired.

Ansel Adams' landscapes...zzzzz.

Mitchell Funk's jazzed up New York...nyahh.

Richard Avedon's portraits ...hmmm, starting to get warm.

Diane Arbus...yep.

Cartier-Bresson... double yep.

Sebastiao Salgado...bingo!!!!!

Now I know who I have to beat.

HTH
V2k1

Photojournalism gives you the opportunity to do a huge variety of types of photography. That is also one of the reasons it is very difficult and highly competitive. You may like it, or you may find your niche there.