Remember that NO reputation is much better than a BAD reputation...And that word of mouth travels very quickly, especially about bad stuff. Like Michael said above, keep everything on the up and up, stay level with your models, and you'll be fine.
As photographers, the old addage "When I do good, no one remembers, when I do bad, no one forgets" is especially true, very much thanks to the medias constant portrayal of photographers as molesting, kidnapping rapists and such.
It (photography as a full-time endeavour in general) isn't easy. It's a heck of a lot of fun, but the reality is that the actual photography bit is just about the smallest part of professional photography. Put your overalls on and be prepared to do a lot of work...Join organizations and associations that offer resources (not the least of which in importance is legal representation) and support.
Edit to add: "Fitness photography" in specific is kinda tough also; the community/industry is a fairly tight-knit bunch and is pretty fickle and flighty. The fitness community seems to approach everything like competition in terms of the "paying of dues." Be prepared to eat some shite as you get into it, keeping in mind that it's very much an "old boys network" type of social structure. Take it in stride, and don't over react to any negative vibes that get thrown your way. Just take note of who said what (and whether or not their words really ahve much weight or if they're just rattling off at you like a blow-hard armchair know-it-all) and file it away for future reference.
Last edited by fivegrand; December 8th, 2006 at 10:57 PM.
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