I am at a crossroads in my career. I’ve worked as a professional photographer for 28 years and it is time to hang it up. I’ve occasionally considered moving into aviation but never took the plunge. Is it too late for me and too stupid of a choice at my age?

No, not if you do it correctly and understand what you’re getting yourself into.

If you want to do it step one would be find an FAA medical examiner and ensure you can pass a First Class physical.

AME search

Step 2 would be to find a school that could take you from private thru MEI as quickly as practical.

Step 3 would be to build 1500 hours as a flight instructor.

Step 4 would be to get on with a regional and you might find yourself sitting at a major around the time you turn 35.

Screw anything up along the way (bend metal, DUI or get violated) and you’ve just spent $100,000 to have a mediocre career.

FPNI.  Get your medical.  There are a lot of medications what are disqualifying. Some can be substituted.  I don't know if it changed, but it used to be that if you ever took SSRIs, you were permanently disqualified.

OP said he's been working as photographer for 28 years. That puts him at a lot older than 35 before he starts flight training.

OP, it really depends how old you are and how badly you want it. If you're 48 now (total guess), I don't think it's a great idea personally because it will take you well into your 50s before you get to fly for a network/major carrier and that's assuming they will hire you at that age. There are other careers in aviation, but if you're talking about working for a network carrier, you're going to have a limited time for your career to develop.

If it's your passion, talk to someone who flies for the carrier you want to work for and talk to their pilot recruiting group before sinking your money into flight training.

There's a lot more to aviation than just flying planes...

Yep

If you want to fly for commercial airlines, age is a big deal, as there is a mandatory retirement age.  If you don't have the time to work your way through the system and get a return on investment, it won't be worth it.  (e.g. don't go $100k in debt if you will only work at a major airline for a couple years maximum)

Interesting conversation. I tought about this earlier tonight. Subscribed.

When you say “ moving into aviation” , moving where?

Pilot, AMT, Flight Attendant, Air Traffic Control, Fueler, Poopsmith?

Judging by your question: yes, yes.