Hi John,
I started about 1 year ago. so I’m not that far off from you.
I did a very basic course on photography, where I was told about lenses, apertures, ISO, shutters speeds etc. It was free, from the council, once a week for two hours.
I then got a nikon d70, rang about 40 photographers. I ask them to assist and help for free. Two of them accept it! I didn’t like the style of one so I worked just with the other one.
I did it for about 6 months for free, then she started to pay me. ( good feeling by the way!!!)
I still work with her but I’m trying to start on my own.
In the last year, I put together a website with my best shots, I bought a nikon d200, d300, sb800, 17-55,70-200.
I did one wedding on my own and I have two enquiry for next year.