Can I pick your brain on Photography?

[peaches0516]

So I've been into photography for a while now and I've been wanting to do it as an extra source of income. My question to those of you who have started your own business or have done it for the same reasons as me is: Where and how did you begin? I mean the farthest I have gone so far is by taking a Digital photography 1 course (in which I made an A+):mrgreen: But where do I go from there? I know there is a whole lot I need to learn but I'm one of those who does better "hands on." So do I promote myself as an amateur photographer and offer my services free of charge or do I find subjects to volunteer their time so that I can build some type of portfolio?
Does this all make sense? Please, assistance is needed.

 

[enzodm]

This is a frequent question here.

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...-photo-gallery/230294-photography-school.html

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...gallery/229765-professional-photographer.html

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...lery/229863-pro-photograpy-job-beginners.html

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...6830-how-much-would-i-charge-photo-shoot.html

Etc.