What's the best camera for children's portraits?

[Annab9]

Hi, I'm new here!
I'm interested in starting a children's portrait photography business out of my home. I was origionally thinking of the eos 20d for its fast fps, but now I'm thinking of the 30d for the same reason (children = moving target ;) !!!) I don't have a huge budget, can you recommend any others that have a fast fps or am I on the right track here?? Also any recommendations for lighting and lens would be greatly appreciated!!!
~Anna

[Stavhp]

well, if you can afford teh 30d go for it, but if you cant afford that go for the 350d, im sure 3fps would be plenty enough.

[Benandbobbi]

If you are considering getting a camera because it can shoot many frames per second, and are intending to use it for child portrait photography, I'd think about it some more. While children are indeed moving targets, I doubt you will ever put it on "full auto" and machine gun blast away unless the kid is playing basketball and about to dunk ;-)

In my opinion, more important than the camer'as ability to shoot many FPS is the lens you choose.

[Permagrin]

The 30D...the rebel's 3fps is pretty slow (I used the MKIIN w/8.5 fps to photograph my 15 mo. old niece and that worked very well). I also used the 135L which was plenty fast. I've heard that the 135 soft focus is a good lens and much less expensive that the L, also the 85mm 1.8 is a less expensive option...I borrow my husbands sometimes for kids portraits, though the 135 is my fav. because I'm not right in their faces...better for candid expressions in my opinion.

[rabidcow]

FPS does not matter for portrait work. Monolights and Powerlights will not keep up with the shutter at all. Any consumer level DSLR on the market today will make a fine portrait tool. As for lights, a couple of mid-level mono or powerlights should do just fine.

[Hermeto]

I’m sure OP was meant to say children candid photos, rather than portraits..

[Annab9]

yes, I was considering the perfect lens as well as camera. I'm also looking into the future, and present, with my own 2 kids that don't like to pose when I'm ready for them!!

I was also thinking of the ef 70-200mm f/2.8l is usm or am I completely off on that too??
Or is an 1.8 better?

Many thanks!!
Anna

[Permagrin]

The 70-200 f2.8L IS USM is a vg lens. I just prefer primes for portrait/candid shots of people. But I do know of other photographers that use the 70-200 or the 100-400 (especially in situations where they don't want to impose upon their subject's personal space...mostly in foreign countries or third world where they are shy of strangers...tribal things...that sort). It just depends on your budget...and do you want to heft around a lg. lens (following children). I did my niece's portrait shoot at a public garden...just followed her with the 135L...and as she was exploring I got some wonderful shots. (I did have her grandmother there to chase after her for safety....). She wasn't even aware that I was photographing her. But since I was chasing after her, I'm glad I didn't have a larger lens on.

[andym172]

Anna - you're interested in starting a children's portrait photography business but appear to know little about photography. What are your motives?

(especially in situations where they don't want to impose upon their subject's personal space...mostly in foreign countries or third world where they are shy of strangers...tribal things...that sort)

:D

I'm not going to say you're wrong, but I don't think you're right either. I love the way you put it though :)

[Tee Why]

fast moving targets? 1D Mark IIN with a 85mm f1.2 or the new 50mm f1.2 with a few strobes from Alien bees.

I kid of course, I agree with another poster above. If you are not sure of even which type of a body would fit your business needs, you may have to rethink the business plans.

Personally, I think the new or even the old rebel XT and a prime or two would do with a simple backdrop and a set of Alien Bees would be adequate and you can grow from there.

[Permagrin]

I'm not going to say you're wrong, but I don't think you're right either. I love the way you put it though :)

Some photographers I've read, Rick Sammon being one, said that he'll use his 100-400 in those types of situations. So I'm just quoting...I've never done it personally ;)

[Curtis N]

Anna, welcome to POTN!

From the nature of your questions I get the feeling you're jumping into the deep end before learning how to swim.

Photography can be great fun and immensely rewarding, but it's harder than it looks, especially when you involve studio lighting and unpredictable subjects.

The business of photography involves its own can of worms, from business licenses to advertising to insurance to taxes. If you've never owned a small business before, it can be overwhelming.

Take it one step at a time, read a lot, practice a lot, and feel free to ask questions here when specific issues have you perplexed.

[braduardo]

You will probably get some of your most impressive shots by letting the kid play outside. I like to sit somewhere with my 70-200 f4 L and just snap away when they are doing something cute. If you stay out of their way, they will do a lot of nice poses without even knowing it. You also get more 'natural' pictures too.

In reality, any camera will do the job. I agree with the posts above talking about how difficult it is to start a business. You might want to get a camera, and just shoot for fun for a while to learn how to use it. Chances are that if you are just jumping in, you probably won't get all that much better of shots than someone with a little experience using a P&S.

Practice, practice, practice. Take thousands of shots. Learn what works and what doesn't. Get a feel for aperture and exposure. Anyone can get lucky shots. Your clients will expect you to get consistantly GOOD shots.

[kfry]

any given camera stuffed in this:
http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/5f/02/kifmToysAllFisher_Price_My_Talking_Pooh_Stuffed_Wi nnie_The_Pooh1-resized200.jpg
to grab the children's attention of course.