Let's get very serious - $100K to invest, what would YOU do?

[S.Horton]

Let's just say, for a moment, you had $100K at your complete disposal to enter any segment of the photography market.

1. What would you go after?
2. Would you be shooting Canon, or medium format? Both? Why?

Assume your living expenses are paid, but not your travel.

Assume you'll be profitable in 24 months.

What's YOUR dream plan?

[SuzyView]

Funny you should ask. I'd get the Hasselblad 39 MP camera and all the lenses and shoot for the Smithsonian or National Geographic.

[cowpix]

1. I would go after something I enjoy.
2. I would shoot with the best equipment for the particular job.

I shoot what I shoot because I enjoy it.
My Canons are the best for it.
I am profitable.

I still want the 100K. ;)

[DocFrankenstein]

I'd make sure I know what it is (what kind of photography) is going to give me profit in 2 years. Then I'd buy the lenses I need for it after getting interest on 100k for 2 years.

[the_incubus]

I would buy a 5D with the bet canon glass. Buy a Leica or two with some nice glass. Buy a hasselblad with a few lenses. Use the rest of the money to travel and stay and nice hotels and go to awesome/exotic places.

[Kadath]

"What, you mean like Kane from Kung Fu?"

Ah, gotta love the classics... =)

I personally would recommend someone in that position to spend as much dough on business training and market research as gear.

If it was ME in that position tho it would be like this:

Canon 5D, 14L2, 24-105L, 135L, 100 Macro, 100-400L,400 2.8L, both TCs
Nikon D3, D300 to backup, 14-24, 24-70, and a big tele

2 AB 800s, 1 AB 400 and 1 AB 1600, 10 pocket wizards, a Sekonic meter

and put the rest into business development. Then again, I'm not convinced that being a pro photographer is going to be a decent living for any but the most extroardinary businessman, regardless of photographic skill.

[cdifoto]

I'd start building a studio...location, strobes, reflectors, etc & put some of it into marketing. I don't need anything else with a Canon logo on it.

[NickSimcheck]

I'd buy a 5D and a 28-300mm L and the other $96,600 would be spent traveling the world getting the shots for National Geographic.

[FZ1dave]

Porn. :cool:

[Glenn NK]

If I had $100,000 to invest, I'd put it into real estate or the market; cameras don't increase in value or pay dividends.;)

[EcoRick]

I didn't invest $100K, but did spend quite a bit of money on Leica's and great glass. It was and will always be just a hobby to me. More money and equipment than brains or talent. A few years ago, I received an XT and kit lens for a birthday present, learned digital, sold the 2 Leica's (M and R series with lenses) and have taken better pictures than I ever did with expensive cameras. Just recently upgraded to the 5D and have never looked back at better equipment. I learned the hard way that it's the person behind the gear that makes the picture.

[liza]

I just dropped a little more than that this year on some equipment and software upgrades as well as a new studio and loft. So I guess I'm living that dream. ;)

[mysticalbeing]

my dream plan: I would buy an English speaking penguin and dress him up in a tuxedo.
put him on surfboard in a big wave in aloha land and make a 382.880 pictures of him.

bless

josh

[Waleed]

From experience, I can tell you $100K are not enough to go into commercial photography. It's more than enough to enter the market as a freelance photographer, though.

A commercial photography studio would require that you start by hiring:

One sales person.
One more professional photographer.
Two photography assistants.
Receptionist.
part time janitor.
part time driver.


Assuming the location is already found, leased, and set up (A to Z). That leaves you with the equipment needed for photography:

Per Photographer: Main & backup camera bodies with the needed lenses.
Per Photographer: 8 lighting heads with stands & accessories for in-house studio use.
Per Photographer: 8 lighting heads with stands & accessories packed & ready to move for location photography.
Product photography table.
4 Backdrop stands, with assorted backdrops and muslins.
Accessories: Light meters, power stabilizers, voltammeters, electric extension cables, power strips, ...
Props and storage.
Minivan.


Computers & printers:

Receptionist's (word processing, billing, book keeping, ... )
One for tethered photography (on table trolly).
Two high-end for post processing.
Color laser printer
Color large format printer (pigment ink)


I'm sure more requirements will pop, once a positive step is taken towards the setup. I remember it took 4 months just to get the proper licenses, but I'm sure it's a lot simpler in other countries.

Best of luck,
Waleed

[_aravena]

^But commercial is hard to get into anyhow.

Down payment on a house and buy a car?

[willy b]

I'd buy "skill" not sure where from thought ;)

[Cybnew]

Funny you should ask. I'd get the Hasselblad 39 MP camera and all the lenses and shoot for the Smithsonian or National Geographic.


I don't know how many NG photogs use Medium Format Digital Backs :) not to healthy carrying it through a swamp :)

[hooookup]

If I had 100k laying around i'd start my own wire service and service celebrity photos from the red carpets in Hollywood and New York. I'd hire a couple of staff photographers and build a list of stringers.

[cdifoto]

In light of recent developments (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=424894) (pun intended), I'd invest it in soaring stocks. I'd be too busy to work.

[rabbs]

Buy some better gear and the rest of the money would allow you to aquire the skill without worring about having to put a roof over your head or food on the table.

[doidinho]

I wouldn't spend it all on photography equiptment. Maybe take a month off work, take a few classes, go on a photography field trip. Spending that kind of money on equiptment is a total waste unless can make a living off photography and the equiptment you buy is going to make you more money. The equiptment is not going to make you a better photographer; if you want to be better photographer you need to take photos, so I would be asking myself how can this money allow me to spend more time taking photos. Looks like you already recieved some good suggestions.

[S.Horton]

^^ This is a 'fantasy photography' thread.

My background is business, marketing, sales and consulting, so I was curious about how POTN members think.

Very interesting variety here so far.

Personally, in the fantasy category I'd prefer Fine Art, Commercial/Advertising, in the latter Food (of all things) and Travel.

Realistically, an Agency is much more likely for my bother (a lawyer/shooter) and me. ;)

[Quad]

100 K phhhhuuuuuuutttttt barely get you started. What you need is this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/437568-REG/Litepanels_LP1X1F5600_LED_Floodlight_5600_Degree.h tml

you need 16 of em for this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/437591-REG/Litepanels_LP4X4_4_x_4_Frame.html

then one of these to hook it up:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/437599-REG/Litepanels_LP4X4PS_Power_Supply_Harness_for.html

(looks like a regular plug but that has got to be the wrong photo).

Of course you need to do this again so you have a main plus fill.

So lets see that is $65,094.20 plus shipping.

I have wondered about those.

Still leaves you with almost $35,000 but I saw these $10,000 tripods once. Or you could add a spot light version or two of the light panels but then you would be over budget.

[tdaugharty]

I'd buy a 5D / long and short L's, strobes, stills, props and rent a location to setup. Use the rest to take on as much training as possible. Find someone to mentor you that knows their stuff (Pay them by the hour).

Start small and build once your skill is above average. Don't rush in. Reputation is everything in this business. One bad shoot with the right subject will blacklist you forever if it goes wrong or not how they expect based on how you were selected.

I'm 6 years in and still have a day job. Photagraphy is picking up for me by word of mouth and affords me new gear to learn with but I can't see it turning my financial nut every month until I penetrate the right market. I've got to be better and skilled enough to beat out a mass sea of photagraphers.

Now as for for having 100K to burn, I'd find a partnership opportunity with a well known photographer and ask to sign a partnership to grow his business for a strong return on the money. As a partner you will learn while increasing the investment.

[Skrim17]

I would probably try to open a web based business aimed at hobbiests/pros providing a service they would want/need.

[Tom W]

... cameras don't increase in value or pay dividends.;)

To the contrary, in the right hands, they pay big dividends!

As for me, I'd buy a suitable building and set it up as a studio. I'd rent it to experienced photographers and build a business on that. My talents are stronger on that side of the business. That's not to say that I wouldn't dabble a bit in studio photography myself. ;)

One has to recognize their strengths before investing.

[cory1848]

I would invest it and let the interest and or profits buy more gear...

[butcha27]

$100k to invest in camera gear? Hmmmm. To compliment what I have

- 3 x 1D Mk III's
- 4 or 5 x 580 EX
- 400 f/2.8
- 24-70 f/2.8
- 17-35 f/ 2.8
- plenty of CF cards
- New PC and laptop

probably more glass with what I had leftover (if any)

[jayak]

I would go medium format and get a small studio and shoot retro, pin-up style shots for my own pay-website......

That or pay off my student loans and keep doing what I am doing.....

[vwschwartz]

if i had 100k i would buy the new maserati grand turismo and a nice 12inch digital photo frame... i already have a decent studio set up, some nice canon stuff, a digital mamiya... this way i could have a jazzy frame to see some of my shots, and the maserati for the ladies! and i would get to shoots in style and alot faster than i can now... clients would appriciate that!

[S.Horton]

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!

[Tumeg]

I'd go for:

1DS Mark III
1DS Mark III (Backup)
70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Sigma 800mm f/5.6
600mm f/4L IS USM
65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo

With the left over cash, I would get the best studio equipment\setup possible...

[Jimmer411]

Id put 90k into a timed account and let the interest build over the next 6~10 years. The remaining 10k would be put towards a 40D, 17-55IS, 100mm 2.8 macro, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.2L, 135L, 200 2.8L and 100-400L IS.

Years of hearing old people wish they had invested when they were young has paid off... Ive got the youth, now I just need some money to invest!

[The_Camera_Poser]

I'd pay off my mortgage and buy a 1Ds MkIII, a 16-35 II and use the rest to pay for travel.

[The_Camera_Poser]

Years of hearing old people wish they had invested when they were young has paid off... Ive got the youth, now I just need some money to invest!

Yeah, well, the money is the problem, isn't it?

[danir.photography]

Let's just say, for a moment, you had $100K at your complete disposal to enter any segment of the photography market.

1. What would you go after?
2. Would you be shooting Canon, or medium format? Both? Why?

Assume your living expenses are paid, but not your travel.

Assume you'll be profitable in 24 months.

What's YOUR dream plan?

I have a business in mind... a cash only business that would not depend on my personal efforts... and I would use THAT income stream to fund my photography.

[The_Camera_Poser]

Actually, I've rethought my response. I'd buy that 1200mm lens at B+H, , slap it on my 30D, and take up stalking Britney Spears for a living. Front row seats to her total meltdown, at a safe distance :-)

[Crossfire]

Actually, I've rethought my response. I'd buy that 1200mm lens at B+H, , slap it on my 30D, and take up stalking Britney Spears for a living. Front row seats to her total meltdown, at a safe distance :-)
There are so many newsworthy stories out there at the moment that generate much less coverage - I am stunned that this human train wreck commands so much media attention in the US

[The_Camera_Poser]

There are so many newsworthy stories out there at the moment that generate much less coverage - I am stunned that this human train wreck commands so much media attention in the US

But it's so fun to watch! It's the best thing since OJ!

[S.Horton]

Interesting profile on the thread.

~3, 4 people with some kind of plan for photog biz, one great plan to enjoy the money, and all others. In the all other category, looks split between sitting on the money and spend it all on gear.

Thrift is a virtue. In an ancestor.
- Mark Twain, VP, Canon Marketing

[The_Camera_Poser]

I'd never spend $100,000 on a business. I can start up my own law firm for less than that, WAY less than that, so why would I wantr to spend $100g on a business that will make me less money?

[DaVinci]

Whats the going rate for a house in henderson, nevada?