Starting a serious photography career, but can't get family to take me seriously?

Proof.

Like others have already said, it's your life. Worry less about what anybody feel about what makes you happy! And people take pictures for their own enjoyment. She didn't take out her camera and take photos of her child because she didn't trust your talent. She just... simply wanted her own photos of her child, lots of them. Everybody has a camera and uses it nowadays, you can't let that offend you. Good Luck.

While the 3rd answer is a good one, one aspect I think you are missing is that you are going to almost always have other people taking pictures if you are hired to take pictures at an event - you are supposed to be taking sparkling, wonderful record shots of the event and other people are taking snapshots or only taking their personal memories. You will have to live with it - even when you arrange a group shot and people keep handing their cameras to their friends to get their own shot. You ask the people what kind of coverage they want and then you tell the people what it will cost to have you provide it.

first of all....who cares if an amature wants to take photos with thier point and shoot camera....garanteed you'd get a better shot...if your working on your technique and everything...then let you work speak for itself...dont worry bout other people...you dont have to prove anything to them...and if your family doesnt take you serious...then just show them how good your work is...and work your *** off to get where ever you want to be.... good rule is....make your clients happy....if they are happy...then so are you... family are here to annoy us and to push us....take it as them pushing you to improve yourself...

Handle it? Simple. Next time you are asked to be the 'official photog' tell them you don't work for free but will give them the 'family discount'. If they choose to pay bring your pro gear. If not bring your point and click for your own entertainment and enjoyment. Just one bit of advice... NEVER shoot a wedding for family!

Some families can't admit that a member is stepping out of the mold, doing something the rest of them not only don't understand but don't value. When non-family members start praising your work and you're getting jobs, the family will come around. Sometimes you just have to depend on the kindness of strangers rather than the truckload of criticism you get from family.

When it's free, you get little respect. Charge them. p.s. I charge my family when I take their photos.

I think the only thing that you can do is " Show and Tell " Set up a portfolio of your best works and let them see how well you have done them. As time goes on your Work should get better.

well, there is nothing wrong with having a few photos of their own, what would be the point of them having a camera, be lucky that they wanted you to do the photo shoot, nothing wrong with a little amateur photography, it's not that they don't trust you, unless they are showing obvious signs.