I've been trying to figure out just how you "break in" to the business on a national level nowadays. From what I can see, being a good photographer has little to do with making it to that level (more like a co-requisite). Instead, it looks like you either have to already be famous for some other reason (like the model- or actor-turned photographers) - or you have to have a gimmick. Then, hopefully you'll be "discovered" by someone famous and with enough connections to get you going.(posted 8737 days ago)An example of the latter is Natacha Merritt (www.digitalgirly.com and www.digital-diaries.com). She is the new, young photographer who's nude, digital pictures of herself and her lovers were discovered on the internet by fetish photographer Eric Kroll. He then introduced her to Taschen, who produced her book "Digital Diaries" - and now she's the hottest thing around, including with gallery exhibits.
I've got some more examples I'll post when I can, but this goes back to something I've talked about before on the Philosophy of Photography forum: In the past, if you were at the top of your field, you might become a celebrity. Today, to get to the top of your field, you have to be a celebrity first. Now how do I get that first 15 minutes of fame?