Galymzhan Abdugalimov[/caption] The Japanese concept of “ikigai,” or a “reason for being,” is determined using four concentric circles, each with its own criteria for identifying your purpose: what you love, what the world needs, what you can be paid for, and what you’re good at. If you’re a fan of our Photo Friday posts, there’s a good chance photography falls right in the middle for you, fulfilling all the requirements of “ikigai.” The question is, how do you turn your dream into a reality? We can help answer that. Flipboard is full of photographers with a purpose: amateurs, professionals and everyone in between. For an education in going pro, check out this mix of magazines, topics and publishers: The Phoblographer (publisher): Photographer Chris Gampat was once stuck in a job that had nothing to do with his ikigai. So he started a blog for fun. Over time, his photography-related writing and reviews got him a pretty big following, which enabled him to quit his day job. Today his site The Phoblographer is as inspiring for hobbyist photographers as it is for anyone who wants to make a living doing what they love. Freelancing (topic): The freelance economy is booming, with 34% of Americans working as freelancers. We’re guessing a good number of those people are photographers. While working for yourself can be fun, it can also be a major headache if you’re not prepared. Use this topic to get educated on the freelance life. Wedding photography (topic): One of the surest and safest ways to make money, wedding photography is a solid gig. Get a sense for styles and locations, and read tips related to sustaining a full-time wedding photography business. Social media marketing (topic): Social media is super helpful for photographers who want to network, even if it’s purely in the virtual world. Learn how to build a portfolio and share it using social media as a marketing tool. After all, showing your work is as important as the work itself. Petapixel (publisher): One of the biggest photography blogs around, Petapixel is a one-stop shop for every type of photographer. Get news, reviews, equipment and inspiration in one place. Adobe Photoshop and Professional Photography (magazine): On the service-y side of things, this magazine makes for an excellent reference for all the technical stuff you’ll need to know if you want to be taken seriously. ~ShonaS is curating Proof of Experience