I'm glad to join this forum. As for me, I've been seriously photographing since I was about 16, when I worked at Ehrenreich Photo Optical Industries (EPOI) in New York. EPOI later became Nikon USA. I was a stock-boy then, but some of the nice people there taught me a lot and showed me how the equipment works. I started using a range-finder (Minolta, I think), and later to Canon film. I made the permanent switch over the years to Nikon cameras. I think the progression was D70, D2Xs, D3, D850, D5 and now the Z9.
I decided to get my certificate in photography from the local University (where I graduated in a different area years before). I have attended quite a few seminars and workshops over the years. Later in 2021, I am traveling to the Badlands of South Dakota for a workshop.
I'm probably in the category of very serious amateur or semi pro. I don't make my living from photography, but I've had some paid professional assignments over the years.
Tom Sweet