Primarily I shoot fashion.  I love collaborating with others, however the images are only as good as the weakest component.  If the clothing, hair, makeup, model or photography is off, so is the shoot.

Fashion is extremely competitive.   You need to assemble a strong team and have access to good models and good clothes.  If you are in a location which does not have a fashion market, it is very difficult to develop.

Initially I wanted to shoot lifestyle.  I knew I had to develop a portfolio.  I walked in to a model agency looking to test.  I showed the booker my work.  He liked my photos but they were not fashion.

He asked me to come back with fashion photos.  I figured I could shoot some fashion for the agency/model and some lifestyle for myself.  I found out that I liked shooting fashion but had no idea how to do it.

I am still trying to figure that out.

Hints?  Shoot, shoot, shoot.  The advent of digital makes it a lot less expensive to develop yourself.