Second Careers: Nature Photographer

RICHARD TURNER, 79, | $5,000 a year

Home: Sacramento, Calif.

Previous work: Attorney

Why he did it: A photographer friend saw my pictures and said, ‘Richard, these are terrible!’ I vowed to learn the art and science of photography and began taking pictures of flowers, birds, landscapes.

How he did it: My wife, Prem Hunji, encouraged me to make my first sale, at the local Elks art show in 2000. Since then I’ve sold 54,000  greeting cards featuring my images. My prints hang in homes, hospitals and nursing facilities, and I self-published a book. I make people happy. I used to piss people off.  I love what I do.

What you need to know: Selling your work means getting the word out. I show mine at art shows and community events. Shopping at Costco, I convinced the manager to get my book approved by corporate for sale locally at a pre-holiday event. I sold 90 $35 copies in two days.