I'm an amateur photographer. Where should i start?

I'm an amatuer photographer and want to start a freelance photography business. Where should i start? What camera should i start with? what equipment do i need and where can i get more information Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

if you don't know were to start or don't know where to look for inspiration it is hard, a good place to start is stock image suppliers like this one
http://www.alamy.com/showcase/default.as...
look for images you can shoot like the ones you see maybe you are local to a work wide event or tourist attraction and can shoot it in all weathers and seasons, you have access to a fresh food market, is some on you know a cook, hairdresser, policeman plumber or stay at home mum? ask friends or relatives that will model for you
make a list of projects
Food
local sunset/ sunrise
news stories
anything collectable or old
anything you have an interest in (look in books and magazines to see what and how they shoot) contact the magazines and ask if they need images

I have talked to photographers that don't want to sell through stock image agencies because they don't want to give away half of the profit taken to the agency
The agency is just another tool. If you are marketing your images and selling threw an agency as well it is adding to your selling power. Stock images gives any image you take a secondary market. you could have a week with out work but still get a check from an agency from a photo you took 5 years ago on a cold rainy day in your kitchen on a day you did not have any work. so it is important to shoot, shoot, shoot.

make a list of your strengths in photography

strengths in photography
good knowledge of sports photography
good contacts with football club
love photography
got the basic equipment to do the job
good knowledge of PCs
large amount of stock images

weaknesses in photography
need experience in other areas
lack of contacts in sports and news media
funding for equipment
do not have web site or bank account
do not have business cards

list of equipment you feel you need
higher spec DSLR body
better tripod
new laptop
business cards ASAP**

list of equipment you don't need and sell it to raise funds
old slr system
dark room equipment

1 year plan
better contacts with football association
contact equipment sponsors
make contact with council and tourist information
look into shooting wedding photography
market images to magazines and spots suppliers
sell images through stock image agencies


3 year plan
new camera body
set up own company in sports and wedding photography

This is not set in stone but you will have an idea of you direction.

www.deviantart.com - Is always a great place to start,
You can post your work and even sell prints!

Well i think you should meet some girls and ask them if u can take there pistures model type girls then u should use is



http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Get more experience in using SLR cameras and studio equipments. By now, you should know these things if you are going into a photo business. I don't think you would be going to a race track and not know your cars capability.

Decide on your goal first - what type of photography do you intend to do as a pro? Your needs will be far different if your shooting landscapes, wildlife, sports, or fashion.

Research good camera systems - Nikon or Can are the two leaders - because once you buy into a system you're pretty much locked into it unless you want to lose lots of money selling it. Buy the best quality you can afford first; expand your system slowly.

I would suggest getting a DSLR like a Nikon D40x or an entry DSLR from cannon.

I would also recommend that you try selling your photos on a microstock photo site such as those listed at http://www.smilelikeumeanit.com/stock.ht...