Out of curiosity how to do you get images for the site? I have tried CC but mostly buy them - just wondering since there will be a ton of images which route you take.
I agree about the monetization bit - that you want to wait - it makes sense and you won't make much in the beginning. However, something that has not been talked about here is list building. I do think that you should start this immediately (if you haven't already). I think this is one of the most important aspects to any website. I've build lists in odd niches where you may not think to do so and it has always paid off for me.
The way I would personally do it would be like this: throw up opt-in forms from day 1. Even if you don't bribe them with anything other than "free updates." Then once you build up that list a little bit add a Facebook page. Nobody likes to come to a site and see that Facebook widget with a sad 3 likes. You can use your email list to get some instant likes, this will give you some social proof and it is also another contact point for your readers - just one more place they can see your site and hopefully come back to it.
Finally, the monetization part - this comes later on of course and by this time you will already have a list built as well. If something were to happen to the website you at the very least still have the list and can still bring traffic back to the website. Also, you can sell things to the list - you may even make more from that then the website itself.
For some websites I don't even think about them as the money making vessel but rather the list generating vessel. It is a platform that grows a list and the list is the money making vessel.
you're awesome.
