Dude... your comments here sound damn arrogant man... if u wanna compare cams and all there are others who use even better entry level DSLR then u do, so the TS is using a D40 so what? u D60 damn great ah? Then how about those using D80 or even D90?? Does that make them better photographers?? I have seen photogs who use D700 and take crap pics.
It's not so much about the equipment, it's about you as a photog in general and how you envision your pictures to be.
To thread starter, i think one of the other members mentioned doing volunteering n networking. yes that is a good way to get started. If u r schling then volunteer to take pics during yr school events for your newsletter or so. From here, post your photos on the web like flickr or multiply and that becomes your portfolio. Oh and i think you mean part time photography and not freelance... there IS a diff though alot think it's the same... i also thought so in the beginning. Try community centres too... they are always on the look out for volunteers! hahaha good luck!!!
PS. To Dinobones don't be too quick to put down other ppl's cameras.. our cams are dear to us and it ain't nice to compare that way. You were so quick to say D40 is a "bottom grade" cam but you don't even know how many megapixels there are... well u wanna compare?? here u go
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=nikon_d40%2Cnikon_d60&show=all
oh and D60 only got 4 1/4 stars compared to D40 that got 4 1/2 so does that mean your D60 is lousier then a "bottom grade cam"??? :nono: