I am 40 and would like to become a photographer - is it too late in live to do s

Question: I am 40 and would like to become a photographer - is it too late in live to do something like that!?

I have been a secretary for a long time, and I have worked in the office setting my whole career, but I want to do something I enjoy doing and taking pictures is my passion!. I feel like this would be extremely hard, because basically I would be starting from the ground up, but would the critisim be harder at my age!? Am I too old to do this!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Just do it!.

You will need some education in photography so you can later get a job as a staffer or as an assistant to a successful pro in your field of interest!. Since you will be starting out using a 35 mm SLR, look for a recent (less than 20 years old) Nikon or Canon SLR for under $200 with lens on craigslist in a city near you!.

After about five years, you may want to go out on your own, but buy then you will have all the skills both in photography and business to do that!. In the mean time, you can contact SCORE in your area and talk to them about your dream and they can help you find free consultants and get you started on a business and marketing plan!. Revise these as you go through school and start working as a photographer for someone!.

Good luck and send us a link to some of your work!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It's never too late to do anything you set your mind to!. Photography is like anything else, you get from it what you put into it!. It's a lot like stepping off an edge with your eyes closed!. You don't know whether it's a thousand foot drop off a cliff, or a 6 inch drop off the curb unless you open your eyes and see where you're headed!. Being passionate about something doesn't always mean you'll be successful or any good at it!. You may find that you suck at being a photographer even though you enjoy doing it because being a photographer is about more than what is done behind the lens!. There are many people who decide to become a photographer because they love it, or it is their hobby!. They figure the transition will not be difficult!. And it is the lack of attention to detail that causes failure!. I'd say if you understood that fact, and you decide that despite the inherent risk of failure it's still something you are prepared to commit to, your age is irrelevant!. You won't know if you will succeed unless you try and in the end there is no shame in exploring the possibilities!. Good luck!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

if you're 40 and you want to start a new career path, it isnt too late, ROY CROCK, the founder of MCDONALD's, he started McDonald's in his 50's!.

the catch is, you better be GOOD at photography if you want to make it at this age, if you were 20 years old and had years to spend on getting good, it'd be a different story!.

if you have good skills, a good eye, and know how to take great photos, then you can get up and running, not too late!.

bottom line!.!.!.be talented! be serious! be devoted! and take a lot of pics to build up a good portfolio!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No, you are not too old!
Just think about this though!. When you turn your hobby into your work, it changes things!. It becomes dead serious then and you rely on it for your bread and butter!. It is no longer just for fun!. It is now your job and competition is feirce!. In fact, there will be times when it is not fun at all!. If you think you can handle that, go for it!. If not, keep it as your hobby!.
I don't mean to discourage you by saying that, just want to give you a reality check!.
also, like others have suggested, ease into it!. Don't quit your day job until you are established in your new career!. That's only prudent!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You are NEVER too old to do anything! When you enjoy something you will stick w/it!.
Passion is the driven force that will keep you going, learning and continued reaching!
I recently learned that ANYONE can sing, ANYONE! You just need to learn the 'physics' then practice, practice, practice!.
My 82 year old step-dad received his GED about 4 years ago! He continues to read whatever he gets his hands on and his life is enriched because of it!
We all have to start from the ground up and learn the basics in life first!. Don't worry about or listen to criticism! Everyone is a critic!. True friends uplift /encourage/compliment!. Seek our those who accept you for who you are and for what you want to become!.
Dewey Sizemore started out in photography shooting furniture for furniture stores!. He continued on w/his artistic inclinations and is a successful Artist of Fine Arts!.
You never know where your passion will lead you! I say Go For It!!Www@QuestionHome@Com

No! You are not too old!. Go for it!

By "go for it," I mean that you can start little by little without quitting your day job!. I have been involved a little bith with flickr, where I get a lot of really great feedback on my work!. I'm a teacher by day, but I really, really like photography, and I have often thought in the last year that I would have liked to have become a photographer!. Many people on flickr also SELL their work on etsy!.com, a site that supports handmade art,etc!. Start small, join flickr, and do some business on etsy to see where it leads to!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It is never too late in life to do anything!Follow your dreams,live your life ,take photos of things you like,go to the library and check out some Petersen's guides to Photography,read them and follow the parameters they outline for different images,experiment,but most of ALL,believe in yourself and know in your heart that this is what you want to do!.Have fun,nothing ventured,nothing gained!The very best of luck to you and may you have GREAT success!Www@QuestionHome@Com

If taking pictures is your passion you are already a photographer!.
What I would suggest is joining an agency like 123rf!.com and seeing if your pics sell, to start with!.
Don't give up on your job, just dip your toes in the water and see if you have the right sort of pics!.
Then when you find out how things are, that is the time to make up your mind what to do!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You don't know what old is yet!. In 15 years you will laugh at your question!.
As a "long time" secretary, you may already have the business skills needed!. Get what ever photography education you need!. A couple college level courses and find the workshops you're interested in from the masters in your field - http://www!.dmoz!.org/Arts/Photography/Edu!.!.!. !.
If you have the education or working on it, you can get an assistant job if you need to!.
Your age is an asset!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well heck no!!!!!! You can do whatever you want!.Your only 40,your not dead yet!!!!! Get out there and go for it!. I would try it on the side first,cause you don't want to be totally without income but you could try it that way,and if it looks like you could make a living at it then do it full time,or just do it part time as a second job!.See that is what's good about being 40 you now have enough sence to know if it will work or not!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Of course you are not too old! I think it was Dear Abby who used to say, "How old will you be if you DON'T do it!?" I say go for it if it is your passion, especially if it is financially feasible!. Best wishes!

(PS: I changed careers at the age of 39, leaving a lucrative health care job for the photo lab!. I have never been happier!)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Certainly not--I worked with a physician who got her MD when she was 50 -- she was a singer in a bar (and a good one at that)--but felt she wanted to do something differently!.

By the way, if you're already taking photos--you're already a photographer!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

think about these things

- could you make money from being a photographer!.

- will you be proud of every shoots end result because you'll have to charge someone money for the end results

if you're thinking positively about these points, then go for it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Its not too late!. Get this book to help teach yourself: http://www!.amazon!.com/Teach-Yourself-Pho!.!.!.

also take online tutorials!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

im 17 and i say you can never be too old to do something if you are dedicated to itWww@QuestionHome@Com

Absolutely not! I have a 50 year old guy who is in my class!. It's never too late!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

YAWww@QuestionHome@Com

noway if that's ur pasion go for it!.!.u only live once enjoy itWww@QuestionHome@Com