I'm a professional photographer and I have been taking baby steps towards it being my full time career.......?

As you know, many photographers have 2 jobs. I have been studying and taking photographs for around 12 years. I've shot many weddings and portraits, I have also sold some of my travel photographs. I have a website and business cards. I know that I can do photography full time but am a little bit scared to make that big step. I have been a waitress for many years and love the cash. If I could wait tables a couple of days and do photography during the other days that would be great. I know advertising is a great way to get your name out there. Please share your experiences and any advice you may have to help me get over my fear and also how to make those first steps into turning this into my career. Serious responses only please.

A picture is worth a thousand words. I'm a graphic artist that started out in newspaper advertising. All of those ad you see in the sunday paper? that was my job, either working with business owners/advertisers to create a campaign or just creating the ad for them.

If there was only one thing I could pass along as advice about advertising it would be; USE A PHOTO in your ad.
you can buy a b&w 2x4 ad in the sunday paper that will do wonders with the right picture. What alot of people don't realize is that readers scan...they only stop when something catches thier eye. Once you have thier attention with the photo, it's up to you to sell your words.
(feel free to email me with any questions you might have about advertising.)

My question to you would be, do you have a studio or a building with a streetfront you can put your business in?
If so, you are well on your way. If not, I suggest only advertising (in the begining) for gigs that require YOU to GO somewhere and photograph.

You mentioned being a waitress so I'm assuming you don't have a lot of disposable income. doing gigs on your off days will help you save and plan for your business. (you already knew that) If you have good credit then you can probably get a small business loan. That may be where you need a little push from the nest. It's a big decision.

good luck

I'm sorry because I don't really have an "answer" to your "question" hehe, but I was wondering what your website it and stuff. You were talking about advertising and getting your name out there and you didn't even plug yourself here. :)

I wanna see!