Essentials for starting out

[gsbblack]

For someone who is interested in starting out in the photography business, probably weddings, portraits... what are the essentials for a beginning or portable type studio?

Thanks for any input.

[Oneslowz28]

Top notch equipment (read not a 20D, xt or xti) Minium would be a 30D or 40D, backup body and a few name brand CF cards. Decent glass, photoshop, Good photoshop skills, biz plan, setting up accounts with album manufactures, market analysis, competitive pricing, marketing, website, and the will and determination to go profitless for a while.

portable studio requirements-- Backdrop stand, several muslins, 3 light setup, adjustable stool and or posing props, light meter, and patience for children who don't want to smile or look at you.

[liza]

Top notch equipment (read not an xt or xti) Decent glass, Good photoshop skills, biz plan, marketing, website, and the will and determination to go profitless for a while.

portable studio requirements-- Backdrop stand, several muslins, 3 light setup, adjustable stool and or posing props, light meter, and patience for children who don't want to smile or look at you.

Don't forget a logo and a decent accountant.

[ryant35]

Top notch equipment (read not a 20D, xt or xti) Minium would be a 30D or 40D, backup body and a few name brand CF cards. Decent glass, photoshop, Good photoshop skills, biz plan, setting up accounts with album manufactures, market analysis, competitive pricing, marketing, website, and the will and determination to go profitless for a while.

portable studio requirements-- Backdrop stand, several muslins, 3 light setup, adjustable stool and or posing props, light meter, and patience for children who don't want to smile or look at you.

Because the 30D's larger screen makes a photographs then the 20D?

[Oneslowz28]

Because the 30D's larger screen makes a photographs then the 20D?

No, Because of its better AF system, better high iso noise reduction, improved battery life, faster fps, and the fact that you can still buy one new with warranty.

[Oneslowz28]

Don't forget a logo and a decent accountant.

Liza you are right but if worse came to worse one could take care of those things themselves. Oh congrats on the new studio btw.

[ryant35]

No, Because of its better AF system, better high iso noise reduction, improved battery life, faster fps, and the fact that you can still buy one new with warranty.

It actually has the same FPS as the 20D.

[stathunter]

Top notch equipment (read not a 20D, xt or xti) Minium would be a 30D or 40D, backup body and a few name brand CF cards. Decent glass, photoshop, Good photoshop skills, biz plan, setting up accounts with album manufactures, market analysis, competitive pricing, marketing, website, and the will and determination to go profitless for a while.

portable studio requirements-- Backdrop stand, several muslins, 3 light setup, adjustable stool and or posing props, light meter, and patience for children who don't want to smile or look at you.

Dude.......no offense but you are way off. I have and still do many weddings with my 20D. It is a fantastic camera. Are there better, sure but that will not get you better photos.
The most important thing someone needs is to understand their camera. Equipment with a backup is necessary but the amount you spend on equipment will not mean you get better photos.

[bigjon0107]

Dude.......no offense but you are way off. I have and still do many weddings with my 20D. It is a fantastic camera. Are there better, sure but that will not get you better photos.
The most important thing someone needs is to understand their camera. Equipment with a backup is necessary but the amount you spend on equipment will not mean you get better photos.

Completely agree! What do you think photographers did 3 or so years ago with then 30D and the 40D where not out yet? When a new camera is released, is the only one suddenly incapable of making good photos? Sorry, rant part over

But yes, basically you need a COMPLETE understanding of your gear, and photography principals/rules. Once you have this mastered you should be capable or producing some great images.

(but make sure you have backups to basically everything....Murphy's Laws apply here too...:D)

[staciecd]

What portable light setup do you recommend?

Stacie

[bigjon0107]

What portable light setup do you recommend?

Stacie

What is your budget?

[jdouglas003]

Even more important that any gear that you might get will be a good business plan and a rock solid idea of what you really want to do.

I've been fumbling around for two years and I still don't know exactly what I am trying to accomplish.

[epatt250]

No, Because of its better AF system, better high iso noise reduction, improved battery life, faster fps, and the fact that you can still buy one new with warranty.

He asked for reasons to buy the 30D over the 20D. Not over the XT. The only thing accurate in your statement is the warranty issue.

30D and 20D performance is identical, unless you really did deep and count the increased buffer. The 20D will take 23jpegs before filling the buffer, the 30D will take 30. There are a few features the 30D has over the 20D, but actual performance is identical. Same AF mechanism, same sensor, same processor, same battery.

[ryant35]

I bought a 20D NEW at a store last year. There are still some floating around unsold.

[gsbblack]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm really just in the very,very beginning stages of things right now. I'm trying to get a business plan in the works and am looking into prices for new equipment. I see you recommend no XTi, which is what I happen to have right now. Would that work to begin and upgrade as I can afford? Any recomendations on fairly inexpensive, but decent equipment as far as backdrops, lighting... that type of thing? I'm located in Iowa, but wondering if online would be an O.K. way to go?

[bigjon0107]

Would that work to begin and upgrade as I can afford?

Well, if you are looking at becoming a pro, you will need more then one body anyways. Now as a pro, "my camera broke" is not a legitimate excuse to miss a big moment. So you could use that to get a nicer body and use the XTi as a backup.

Any recomendations on fairly inexpensive, but decent equipment as far as backdrops, lighting... that type of thing?

As far as backdrops and support systems, look on eBay. It is probably the cheapest route to go (from the sounds of things, i am assuming this is a pretty high priority). But for lights, i would go with alien bees, you will not regret it. They are very reasonably priced and some of the best out there. If you want to know more about them, just search it on the site; you will see great reviews.

I'm located in Iowa, but wondering if online would be an O.K. way to go

What do you mean? Its kind of hard to take a picture though a computer :lol:

[gsbblack]

What do you mean? Its kind of hard to take a picture though a computer :lol:[/quote]

HA HA As I'm sure you know I meant ordering equipment...:D

Thank you for the advice. I've enjoyed photography for quite a while, but have finally made the decision that it is something I would love to do as more than a hobby. I guess we'll see.

[f8ed4photography]

Hi... I am just starting out myself. I wanted to get black and white backdrops and a stand that would be ok to start with so I got on ebay. There is 1 store in particular that I have purchased 2 backdrops and a stand through and I even purchased a set of lights through them. Of course they're not the expensive, high quality things that I one day hope to have, but hopefully it will do me for the time being. The seller is 2dreammaker. My dealings with them so far have been top notch. I learned of them from my photography instructor at school so she has had some good dealings with them as well. I have gotten everything through them in under 1 week and I only paid $14 and change for my black backdrop (shipping incl) and I think I paid $21 for my white one. Sometimes you can find an auction that she has a stand and backdrop being sold together. But it will give you SOMETHING to work with until you can afford to get the better quality items. Hope this helps.

[gsbblack]

Thank You!! I will definitely check it out!!

[Cybnew]

Dude.......no offense but you are way off. I have and still do many weddings with my 20D. It is a fantastic camera. Are there better, sure but that will not get you better photos.
The most important thing someone needs is to understand their camera. Equipment with a backup is necessary but the amount you spend on equipment will not mean you get better photos.


I agree with this as well...I was shooting the other day, and I found myself using my 20d more than my Mark 3. Also In a studio situation...you will be controlling the amount of light...so you wont have as much need to shoot at a higher iso....so the noise factor is minimal.

[gsbblack]

So, if I were to use my XTi as a "backup", what would your recommendation be as a main camera if cost is a factor in getting things started?

[Blackey Cole]

To me the basics for startign out are number one knowledge - if you think you know what your doing now give it a few years and you will see how wrong you were. So either get so training from someone who works in your speciality or do months of research so you can look at a image and know every technical answer. Like how many flashes , how they were setu, what equipment was used, what settigns were used to get that shot also it it is portrait or wedding formal shoots why he posed them the way he did and did it work. I am not there yet but I do more action and sprots photography but I am learnign by visitng several sites and reading and expermenting. Find a style that you can dublicate everytiem to start out with and hopefully it sells, if not learn another style, eventually when you get teh caned shots you can start expermenting with your own touches o develope your style and that is when your business should take off. Then keep learning new techniques and try new things. SOmetimes do model shoots so you can play around without having to use your customers who are there to get a photo taken and get otu and expect you to know what you are doiung and have it all setup.

As for equipment buy so medium kits or stuff get it used to save money but beware of what you are gettign and make sur eit works or can be repaired and still be a great deal. other wise buy new kits designed for what you are shooting. These items will probably end up being you backup equipment when you cna afford to get the great stuff. And if it was good equipment you will keep it for when you need extra gear or as a backup. If not you will sell it to get the newer stuff that wil either be the backup or main. But always remember to have twice the equipment with you for a shoot that you plan to use or at least know how to get by with out alot of it. The last thing you will need is somethign to break and you miss the money shot. Then having to do the shoot for free just to make a mends with teh customer.
I am sur eothers wil come on here with other ideas and suggestions but that is the basics:

Knowledge to do the shoot and manage if things don't go as planned

Enough equipment that is you main gear goes down all at wonce you still can complete the shoot and doan excellent job.

If you don't have either of those find someone you can buddy up with and share the shoots with. Use his knowledge for setting up the shots and you be his backup. You will learn more form doing this than any other way but remember that you are his compition and he may not welcome you unless he needs you also.

[kevin_c]

IMO it doesn't really matter what equipment you have, if you have the knowledge, skill and an eye for a decent shot you can take good saleable images on an old manual film camera. (but have two of everything in case one fails!)

The main thing is to be 'master' of your camera(s), know it inside out, in the dark, and upside down! - know how to expose for various situations (strong backlight/white dresses etc.)

Have a focused business plan - its pointless trying to make money if you don't know how to run a business and charge accordingly. and most importantly believe in yourself and your capabilities, and if possible still have fun doing it!

[gsbblack]

Thanks to everyone for the great advice!! Like I said before I really am in the very beginning stages of all this and I plan to take my time and have the business plan laid out, the equipment I need and most of all the experience and confidence to get out there and do it properly. Thanks again and I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions along the way!!

[liza]

So, if I were to use my XTi as a "backup", what would your recommendation be as a main camera if cost is a factor in getting things started?

I'd have at least three bodies on hand. A couple of fellows I know have had multiple camera failures at weddings. As for cameras, I wouldn't shoot with less than a 20D, although I'd highly recommend a 5D for wedding shooting. The ISO performance is incomparable. Right now, I'm shooting with a 40D/20D combo with a 10D for backup. In a couple of months, I'll probably pick up at least one 5D with a second one planned for summer 2008. I figure I'll have to have not only good primary cameras for me but good secondary ones for the people who work for me.

As for lenses, I'd recommend Canon L glass or Canon primes. There are a few exceptions, such as the Sigma 30mm, but one really should have good glass if they're going to charge for their work. The kit lens ain't gonna get it, in other words. You also need backups for your lenses in case of equipment failure. And don't forget external flashes. You need at least two of them. I'd also have 16GB of memory on hand at minimum.

For studio work, there are a lot of schools of thought, but a three light setup would be a good place to start. I believe a lot of people on this forum swear by Alien Bees. Backdrops, stands, posing stools/tables, and props are also essential for studio photography.

There are a lot of other things to consider as well. You'll need branding and marketing materials, advertising, and sample albums. Put a couple of computers, a laptop, and software on the list, too. And first and foremost, GET INSURANCE! You'll need it.

As you can see, it's expensive to get into business if you plan to do it right. I collected gear and other materials over a three year period before I officially opened up shop. Take your time, don't get in a big hurry, and think things out. You'll be glad you did in the long run.

[rhys]

For someone who is interested in starting out in the photography business, probably weddings, portraits... what are the essentials for a beginning or portable type studio?

Thanks for any input.

Read the strobist approach to things for portable studios. I did something similar but based mine on 420/430/580/STE2 although for a Strobist approach the Sunpak 383 would have been very good, combined with an optical slave or a pocket wizard. Personally, I think pocket wizards are the better method.

As far as bodies are concerned, for portrait you'll be shooting manual so if you can cope with the fudged controls on the XT/XTi you'll be fine. Otherwise get the 30D. For lenses - really any lens in the range 17-85, 28-75, 24-70 should do just fine or even a 50mm lens. Just don't (personal experience) trust the XT to focus with the 50 f1.8 or the Tamron 28-75.

[amfoto1]

Hi,

Lot's of good suggestions so far!

No one has mentioned:

1. Licenses: A business license is required most places. You probably will need a sales tax license, to collect on sales you make, plus to buy consumables without paying tax on them yourself. Also register your company name, to protect against infringement. Exactly how that's done is different, depending upon your area.

2. A network of dependable resources such as printers, suppliers and other business vendors.

3. A portfolio of your work.

4. A well-thought out price list.

5. Develop a tough skin and the willingness and ability to say "no" to unreasonable requests. As in "No, we can't put your wedding on our calendar until you provide a 1/3 deposit." and "No, we can't give away our services for less than our costs, even though you found a kid in the local community college photo class who says they'll shoot your wedding for $200."

6. Practice using any and all new equipment well in advance of any important, paid event.

7. Flash meter. Very useful, especially with studio strobes, on location or not.

8. White balance target and the knowledge how to use it.

9. Develop a list of referral photographers: People who have skills, equipment, or specialization that you don't/can't offer. Network with them to encourage them to refer customers to you, as well. You might join some local chapters of appropriate trade associations.

10. Establish a separate business checking account. Possibly a charge card and other banking services, such as taking credit card payments. There is a cost to this, so it may be useful to have a service that can handle these charges for you, fulfilling your print orders (I use Printroom.com, there are several similar services online.)

11. Put together and maintain inventories. A business equipment inventory and records of your purchases will help come tax time, when you get to deduct depreciation. A separate inventory of consumable items will be needed at tax time, too.

12. Some books and or classes on basic business practices such as accounting, marketing, etc.

13. Yes, a business plan, to include many things such as marketing, etc. But, also a budget. These are never set in stone, they need to be reviewed, refreshed and modified at least quarterly, as things change and your business grows and develops.

IMHO, this hasn't been emphasized enough yet... Because you mentioned weddings in particular, you need to place a lot of emphasis on backup equipment and redundancy. This means extra flashes, cameras, strobes, batteries, etc., etc. You need to be able to keep on shooting if something breaks or fails for any reason. I can assure you it will.

Backup cameras are obvious. You may be able to use a 100mm macro lens, if your favorite 85mm portrait lens gets dropped and broken. However, if you walk in with just one flash and it fails mid-ceremony, you are only shooting available light from that point on. If you only have two strobes, and one tube burns out, you won't be able to finish the formal shots. If your batteries run out in mid-shoot, you can't wait for them to recharge (even if you remembered to bring the charger with you). Etc.

I agree that it is very useful to mentor with someone already experienced in your chosen specialty(ies), perhaps get hired as an assistant. Great way to learn the ropes, probably the fastest way to ramp up. Also helps you avoid costly mistakes.

And, I think it's a great idea to partner up. If nothing else, you are offering more than some "loners" might be able to provide, and you get to bounce ideas off each other. In the case of weddings, you might choose to work with a videographer, so that you can offer packages including both stills and video.

A website is a good idea, can be really convenient for customers to review, choose and order images, plus can expand upon your marketing message and possibly act as a virtual portfolio. However, a website is just one facet of an overall marketing plan, and cannot stand on its own. And a website has to be well done, while avoiding some potential pitfalls. Some mistakes I've seen include getting too fancy with things like Flash that some customers will not be able to view easily. Other sites obviously are not adequately tested, fail to display properly in one or another browser. Some are poorly organized or too clever and confusing to easily navigate.

The biggest single problem is sites that are too slow and cumbersome to load on dial up connections. About 70% of people in the U.S. currently have Internet access. But, even though it's the fastest growing category, only about 23% currently have some form of broadband connection. That means more than 3 out of every 4 I'net users are still dialing up for access. Yet, many website designers have broadband service themselves and seem to revel in putting together sites that depend upon that level of access.

[rhys]

I hear a lot of crap about websites. I have a broadband connection and nothing - frankly - pisses me off more than having to wait for a flash site to load. Often I don't I just dump it and go elsewhere. Now that's with broadband. With dialup a 1mb file takes 3 minutes to download!

[EnronRocks]

A business plan first off, financial and other assets, checking accounts separate from personal accounts, a good accountant, and then hit up some market analysis. Do ALL of that before you go investing in thousands of dollars worth of equipment and a building.

I hear a lot of crap about websites. I have a broadband connection and nothing - frankly - pisses me off more than having to wait for a flash site to load. Often I don't I just dump it and go elsewhere. Now that's with broadband. With dialup a 1mb file takes 3 minutes to download!

DSL/Cable and Vonage are your best friends. Vonage kills the phone companies when it comes to business phone use.

[DarrenL]

I am not sure if it's been mentioned already but get some decent insurance to cover yourself and the sitter.


Darren

[John Mireles]

The number one thing you'll need to be successful is not equipment or even the knowledge as to how to use it. It's not a business license or business plan. Those things are important, but they're part of the bigger picture

The number one thing you need is a road map to profitability. You need to understand what success looks like and how you're going to get there. Once you know where you're going, then you can plan accordingly.

For example, if you're going to do portraits, then you need to figure our a profitable business model based upon that. The skill set that you'll need is going to be different from weddings or commercial work. The sales process will be different as will the marketing.

First figure where you're going. Everything else will follow from there.

You might also want to sign up for my Photographer's Business Coach. I offer regular tips on growing and managing your photography business. It's a regular email newsletter that I send out for free.

John

[Vigants]

I'm not a pro, but I am a business-person, and I would say that the "start with a business plan" advice may not be the absolute best route for someone starting completely from scratch. You don't become a surgeon by first building a hospital and buying scalpels and I think that you might be better advised to start by getting out there and shooting 10 or 20 THOUSAND images to start learning the craft.

Start with what equipment you have and a single strobe (focus on what you can do with a minimalist setup first). Supplement with natural light, homemade reflectors, etc. You may find that once you've gotten through the work flow you decide that you are better suited to another endevour. On the other hand, if after shooting those frames you discover that you love doing it and that you have some aptitude for it (which I would measure by a steady improvement in your results), then start constructing a business plan and spending money.

Just rushing out and spending money on a bunch of gear, licenses, cards, web developement, etc. is pretty easy. Making consistantly beautiful images is harder.