I'm a photographer and at times wish I was a mechanic. Almost everything that been said is correct. The artistic eye isn't as important as everyone says, but it is needed. You need to be able to get along with people, realize that everyone wants it for free and sometimes can take a photo as good as you with the phone. Professionally, you always have to get the shot, not just the those in nice sunlight. And follow through is what makes a pro from an amateur. Since your starting out, like Snap-On tools, you need quality tools and software. That you can purchase. You need experience, that you have to create on your own. Practice, don't do anything for free or exposure, unless it is a legit charity. You can make money with weddings and you will earn. Brides (and people in general) are really a pain when spending their own money. Think of your mechanic business. A client acts differently if they are spending there own money versus spending the money of a business. Nobody buys 'art photography'; everyone thinks they can do themselves. Portraits, of real estates agents, and car sales and such will make you some money, but you need to show quality work and do it on location. Real estate interiors might get you someplace. I'm going to say this carefully, as you were a mechanic, do you dress well (clothing style, appearance) after work? If you are doing a wedding, even though it is the camera that counts, you need to dress to fit in the situation. After camera and software, you'll need computer equipment. As a profession, photography has a small middle income class. There are some making it real well, a few, like myself, in the middle, and a lot doing other jobs to support themselves. Too many times the bag on my shoulder was worth 2-3x time that car I was driving. If you can ask to assist me and learn, even if it was for free, I still need to see a portfolio to see that have have the talent for me to give you my time. I really wish you good luck. Every profession looks better from the outside. If you want to change, learn video and not still, but that is also a crowded field.
BTW, two children, neither had the desire to go into the field. Not that I would have let them. Yu also said you can't be a mechanic. Is it a physical issue? Hauling a bag with computer and proper equipemnt is around 28 lbs. All day long.