For some lucky, talented, committed photographers, photography can become a full time career. It can bring in enough income to sustain someone, and allow them to live a happy, comfortable lifestyle. However, this isn’t without its problems, and photography is often not a sustainable career path for someone as a full time job. Many people dip in and out of it as a lifestyle choice, and will take on the work they choose around other commitments and employment.
If photography is going to be a viable career option, you will need to have some kind of qualification and be very talented and skilled. However you also need the right attitude and to be dedicated enough to photography to take any work that comes your way, rather than being picky. As you build up a portfolio, reputation and client base, you may be able to become more picky, but when you’re starting out, paid photography work should be embraced.