Photographers aplenty out there. I myself am one who freelance on referrals.
There is endless debate on pros setting the pace in the industry while freelancers are spoiling the market. But if we look closely, there are good ones out there, for a fraction of the price.
Some shoot for passion, some as income. Naturally the pressure to outperform holding a 1D is much greater .
There's a photographer association going by W****, a suppossed standard of the industry. Read around cautiously and you'll find invaluable feedback from users.