Need information about being a photographer?

My girlfriend has decided to go into photography instead of her past choice of a career. So I've decided to try to find some information out for her ..and this seems like the perfect place to start. *Most topics will be centered around freelance photography rather than a salary job* I'm going to try and hit as many points as I can think of: 1-What education is needed? After a quick google search it seems most agree that no formal ( as in a college education ) is required. I know you would need knowledge of the equipment(camera, printer, programs,etc), marketing , and most of all just real world experience. But is a degree really required? I'm sure it would look better...but is it needed? And if it is, how far? Would a associates in photography be good enough? 2-What "career path" is better? This is centered around freelancing because that's what she wants to do. But would a regular job position with a company be better? I know it would be more stable because you won't always have freelance work. But is there any real difference between the two? 3-What does it take to get started? I know it would cost thousands at first for the camera, lenses,misc camera equipment, printer, printer paper, cd's, computer, software,advertising/website, etc. How much does advertising (besides website) usually cost? And what other costs are there? How do you get your foot into the door? Starting young and having a portfolio and experience seems to be the best way I would think. But how do you explain to your first costumer that they are the first without freaking them out? 4-What can you expect? Weddings, senior pictures, family pictures, and random portraits are about the only things I can think of. Are there any other situations to expect such as request from companies and being contracted out or anything related to that? 5-How much money do freelancers make? Doing another quick search on google came out with a mix between people saying they can make from 0-millions and others sticking around $40,000 a year. I see people listing on websites stuff like $1,000 for wedding pictures but how much of that is actually profit? I know the initial cost of the equipment would take awhile to pay off, and then it would mostly be the cost of the printing and time basically. 6-What is the environment like? Is it hard to find jobs the way the market is? I'm sure many aren't willing to spend thousands just on pictures and with technology advances it seems like photographer is becoming easier and easier so extreme talent doesn't seem to really be needed (I'm sure this will be corrected by someone, and I hope it will be.). Besides the job market is there any difficulties with costumers? Do you have to charge a deposit to keep them from canceling and leaving you with wasting time when you could of gotten another job or anything of that sort? Well, this is all I can think of for now....I hope it's not to long :\ Just trying to cover all the bases before she gets to deep and realizes it's something she really isn't into. Thanks in advance too.

so your friend is at a loose end, she has a camera and photography is one job anyone can do right? 1. as someone that has a very good niche in this game and went to photography school i tend to disagree with no need for schooling, those that are unschooled tend to have a disability when it comes to dealing with light i find 2, career path? i dont get that. find a niche and market and network to it, i have reinvented myself a couple of times and my niche has changed 3. my first client was when i was at photography school, i didnt bother saying i was virgin i just did the work - if the work is up to standard thats all that matters 4. you only mention the ma n pa markets - portraits/weddings - i hope you understand every other non schooled wannabe photographer will be your competition? i dont do the ma n pa markets, i do advertising and commercial work. - - any other situations? - - sure who shoots the images on the products you buy from the supermarket? who shoots the images in magazines? who shoots the billboards you see? who creates and shoots advertising images? your sister is entering a part of the market dominated by under skilled photographers - some are very good - they went to school or trained under another photographer foer a few years, most are fly by nighters with no education or training and wouldnt know a light if it hit them on the head and said "hello im a light" 5. again it depends, ma n pa shooters proberly earn ok dollar if they are good, if they are not they will earn a bit here and there but peanuts really, those with more commerical niches earn the big coin, they have studied light and lighting alot............. 6. again your talking ma n pa photography i dont have an answer for that - - i suppose its like competing with 1 million new camera users that all think that with no skills or schooling or training they can be a pro photographer? - so hard i geuss

I ran across this article. Kind of disheartening really ... are positives, too, but the article does a good job of pointing out things people may not think of.

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