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It's real simple.
1. Beginner Phase
>You have no portfolio, publicly discoverable photos or online presence, or respectable photog skills.
Go to random events or whatever interests you, and really develop your personal niche of photography. Ask for contact me details of those organizing the event and simply cold-email them with a set of your best photos from that event/session. Every day/session of photography, take 1-2 of the very fucking best, and put these into a folder named "portfolio". Keep repeating ad infinitum time allowing. Print a copy of whatever you goes in the digital portfolio.
2. Intermediate Phase
>Begins from your first paid session. Someone felt your skills were worth paying for and was happy with the results. This does not happen often enough to live from alone.
You probably have some set of blogs/social media/instagram/facebook/photo hosting set up. You probably should have some business cards by now. A simple flash, a few lenses and some simple gear such as reflectors/diffusers form part of your photog understanding and gear. Even your skills command encompassing some basic photog discipline of light/angle/color/composition.
Anyone that comes up to you with interest in hiring you should have ready access to your portfolio, ready to trade contact details.
Your portfolio is taking shape, you've been to 50-100+ events/shoots/sessions.
3. /P/rofessional Phase
>Your photography is mostly/completey supporting your living expenses. It is well known enough amongst your contact circles, both on social media/IRL that you are worth hiring for anything and everything, and you often are. Your portfolio is looking really polished, as each piece really says something about who you are as a photographer.
By far the hardest echelon to reach and _keep_. Professional photogs live and die by their photography. Your gear is expensive, so are your fees, and any wedding couple will be looking to save wherever they can, so you better hope you can deliver. 1/2
