By working in a portrait studio, that’s what I do. A photographer doesn’t just stand behind a camera and take a picture. They get to know who their subjects are, and essentially (if sucessful) become a part of their family. I have literally thousands of portraits I’ve taken hanging all over walls across America. And it really makes me feel like I’m doing something with my life. My ultimate goal is to open my own studio to go into business for myself … but until then, I keep taking those pictures and my “family” keeps getting larger and larger.
My recommendation is to start out working in a portrait studio, because when the parents love them so much they cry, that is what makes the job worthwhile. And, of course, that leads to the sell. ;-)