i do it on a semi-professional level (i make some money from it, so i guess that sorta makes me a professional), however the pay range in that field has a very wide range (from doing it and being broke, to making some pretty good money). lots of it depens on what you're shooting (cars/fashion/weddings/nature/etc...), where you're at, how hard you work, how good you are at shooting and/or post processing, and then there's some luck as well. i went to the art institute for graphic design and took a few photography classes as well, and it's overall a pretty good place to go however it is definately not cheap, and i wasn't crazy about some of their money making tactics over there.

overall, i still do it more as a hobby than anything, but it just happens that i'm in a field that allows me to make a little money at it on occasion. i don't know if i'd try to make a full career out of it (especially in the automotive world right now), however doing it as a freelancer and making a few hundred dollars on the side every now and then can be a fun source of extra income.