Jeff:
Good post. You most certainly will be working from photos a lot. The thing about it is, don't work only from photos. Get in some life drawing classes and try to paint from life too.
There are very distinct differences between painting from pics and painting from life. Painting from life will help to train your eye to see. Further it will help you understand the shortcomings of photos and help you work around them when you use them.
Also, there is a point in any work when the reference becomes secondary to the work of art you are creating - my opinion. I will actually put the reference away towards the end and focus on what makes the painting a better work of art. The painting transcends the reference - that is very important for me.
