In oversea, photographers conduct workshops.
In Malaysia, you can earn by shooting event. You can also go Macro Stock and sell your print/stock. Forget about Mirco Stock though, you can't make a living from that

for me i got my first DSLR in August, and since then i've been shooting for events. since i work for a broadcasting company i get a lot of opportunity to shoot events, celebs, etc etc.

then from there build a portfolio. i've done 3 paid wedding shots already and i'm currently still doing some more.

i guess you just need to have a lil connection somewhere to build your rep up, then the rest will just come flowing in after, but of course, your pictures have to be good as well.

when people know you're a newbie, they tend to take advantage of that, but then again when you have the pictures to show, then that's a different case altogether.

you planning to do this full time?

trust me you won't want to make your hobby ur job... sooner or later u will get sick of it

1.look for some rich guy, snapshot him with other mistresses, and try to sell it to his wife..........earning big money

2.look for some pretty girl, snapshot her, sell to the interested party..........earning medium money

3. work in a press/wedding planner/event staffs, snapshot event........................................earning small money

up to u to choose

in terms of connection, one way to get around that is just attending events. .Its all about selling yourself and your services with something to back you up. Like an online port folio or something.

joining communities is a good thing, attending the events the fellow forum members hold (although i've yet to attend any) will help you improve. there are many photography forums around, i won't mention but if you want to know, pm me. so that's where your connection starts. the most i do is post my photos up in the forums and wait for feedback and comments and use them to improve.

furthermore, you mentioned you're a designer, so you have added value to editing your photos for clients, like for me i only know basic photoshop

For the set that you're planning to buy, its a good set to start off with. if funds are tight, just go for the kit and practice with that first. don't really have to buy the whole system before you know the basics. you have to be patient, and at the same time creative in photography. most of the shots you see on my flickr are only taken with the kit lens

ok i've written enough, so long winded 

thanks for viewing my pictures and thanks for your comments, i wouldn't mind guiding you, buy Sony! 

ahh. met him a few months back, IINM he does like 3 - 4 shoots a month. so yeah, imagine how much he's making.