Hi Hive account@hunternnm, I know how you feel. I'm a programmer passionate with arts. And here's my opinion about our situation:

Keep on doing your work as a programmer and on times you have no work to do (on weekend, after work) do your hobby. It is important for us to earn especially with our artsy hobby. For my case, I still pay for my laptop and pen tablet on credit card. For you, consider the expenses like camera, lens, and other equipments.

But if you really want to make your hobby as the main source of your income, here's my opinion (that I am also trying to do):

1. We need to still keep our current profession (the work that gives us stable money) to pay for our expected expenses (rent, bills, groceries, etc.).
2. Save! Try to save some money as an emergency fund that will allow you to live for months in case your hobby/business did not clicked at the start.
3. While still working on our current profession, try to make time on improving skills and collect your art works. These art works will serve as your portfolio for potential clients.
4. Make a site or a blog that will showcase your portfolio and from there try to promote it on social media and get customers.
5. In time that your hobby can support your lifestyle, then that's the indicator time you should quit your Programming work and focus on your new work.

Again, these are my opinion and my future plan. But hopefully you get something from my comment :) Good luck on you bud!