Buying 20D and need advice on equipment for part time business

[positive_image]

For the new year I've decided to stop talking about it and go ahead and buy a 20D and start the part time photography business I've considered doing for some time. I want to shoot portraits, glamour, beach sunset portraits, some business functions, and maybe some pet photography. I'm really starting from scratch on equipment, so I need advice from those in the know on getting started. If I buy the camera body only what one lense would be good one to start with to cover my target market, which flash, and if I can find the money for studio lights what's a good starter set that can be mobile since I don't have a actual studio. I'm starting off on a small budget and hope to build on equipment as business grows, so what would be the must have equipment that would get me started and suggestions on where to buy.

[rodbunn]

I'll give it a shot, quite a big list of things to shoot......
Well, you need at least one good flash unit, so a 550ex would come in handy. If
the budget wasn't small the Quantum flashes are great. Again, on a low budget
you could get a 50mm prime from Canon, 1.4 or 1.8. This is a good lense and the
1.8 is cheap. The 24-70L Canon is a great lense but lots of $$$. The thing about
buying cheap now is you will be buying more expensive stuff soon, expecially if you
are running a business.
Portable portrait lights are tuff, there are SO MANY out there. Call B&H Photo
in NY and ask them to send you their "Lighting" catalog, it's very usefull and can
help you decide. There is the whole thing about "hot lights" vs. "Strobes". You can
rent BOTH and it might help you decide which way you want to "start off" with.....

Ok, that's my 2 cents.... Good luck. Rod

[Jon, The Elder]

Just remember - once you go into business - photography won't be enjoyable any more. It will become a minor element in the overall ratrace !!

[chops]

For the new year I've decided to stop talking about it and go ahead and buy a 20D and start the part time photography business I've considered doing for some time. I want to shoot portraits, glamour, beach sunset portraits, some business functions, and maybe some pet photography. I'm really starting from scratch on equipment, so I need advice from those in the know on getting started. If I buy the camera body only what one lense would be good one to start with to cover my target market, which flash, and if I can find the money for studio lights what's a good starter set that can be mobile since I don't have a actual studio. I'm starting off on a small budget and hope to build on equipment as business grows, so what would be the must have equipment that would get me started and suggestions on where to buy.
To answer that question alone, I would have to say the Tamron 28-75mm XR Di F2.8 lens. Hands down, it is the best possible lens out on the market right now for the price/performance ratio. It will also cover most all of your needs for portrait and event photography you are wanting to do.

[KennyG]

One other tip, hang onto the EOS650 as you must have a back up camera. The deeper you get into professional photography you will soon realise that you need to have back up cover for almost all your equipment in the event of a failure.

[positive_image]

To answer that question alone, I would have to say the Tamron 28-75mm XR Di F2.8 lens. Hands down, it is the best possible lens out on the market right now for the price/performance ratio. It will also cover most all of your needs for portrait and event photography you are wanting to do.
The positive remarks on the Tamron 28-75 XR DI F2.8 seems to be consistent for the budget/quality minded consumer so I think I'm going to put this lense on the top of my short list. The old saying stands true that it takes money to make money. The costs seem to keep going up when you look at all the equipment you need to get started in a digital market, it makes me wonder if I will spend more to get started then I will ever get back?

[chops]

The positive remarks on the Tamron 28-75 XR DI F2.8 seems to be consistent for the budget/quality minded consumer so I think I'm going to put this lense on the top of my short list. The old saying stands true that it takes money to make money. The costs seem to keep going up when you look at all the equipment you need to get started in a digital market, it makes me wonder if I will spend more to get started then I will ever get back?
Yes, the 28-75 is a very nice lens and will fool alot of people thinking it's the Canon 24-70 L. Also, as I am finding out rather quickly, it does take a while to start getting money coming back to you with your equipment, but if you stick with it and get in with the right crowd and market, it can pay for itself just as fast.

[phili1]

Do you have a never ending limit to cash? Ha HA.

Portrait Photography: min. 3 light set up
Main - fill - Hair or blow out light
Personal choice items. Umbrellas / softboxes / LIght panels
A portrait photographer I know only uses light panels because they give a softer light and the effect changes by moving your lights closer or further away. Snoot/Barndoors
A battery unit so you can take it into the field.

Lenses: I use Tamrons 28-75 for head and shoulders and 3/4 length. Some people use Canon 17-40 L. The famous pros used for 35mm between 70 and 105mm lenses.
I know some who use Canon 70-200 IS for portrait work.

For your beech shots you will need a good refector system. Sometimes you want a clear to diffuse the sun and some times silver and golds to give a different look.

Pet Photography you can get away with one light like for babies butm 2 is better. Basicly the same equiptment.

Now equiptment: I have Excalibur light set up and it is good but if I had my way I would trade them in for Alien Bees, you can get a 2 light set for $599 and add a hair light for $224,00 and a stand for aboput $40. For around $900 you have a studio set up.

If you want to bring your lights out side or where there is no ac yoiu can for $350.00.

So you now have a totally versatile set up with a cost factor.

Camera 20 D $1400
Tamron 28-75 lens $400
Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS L $1500
Alien Bees light set up $900
Battery system $349
Total cost $4549.

And you are not threw. You need backgrounds, Muslins 2 to 3 different set ups at about $200 each and a portable back drop system around $200. and if you do kids you need props. You could spend $500 here or $5000.

Ok you have the Camera and you can live without the 70-200 and 1 background will get you off the ground so you are looking at around $2,000 to get off the ground cheaply.

Hope this helps.

[positive_image]

Geez, it sounds like if you want to make a small fortune in photography, than start off with a large one. I'm a stay at home dad wanting to use my love and potential skill with photography to help bring in a little extra to help out the misses. What would be a good market to tap into that would require the least amount of equipment to start off with?

Your list above did not even mention the computer end. I edit all my work in PS on my home computer, but it is in need of an upgrade. So I'll also have to factor in a computer, a good monitor and a good printer to print out contact sheets and photos for customers. Do most photographers do there own home printing for customers or do they send it out for professional printing. I've been curious about this since your customers will want to have good quality prints made of there photo session.

[phili1]

Darren, if you are going to do portrait work you need the lights. You can get away with two lights but the cheapiest set is around $500. You need a muslin background and a set up to hold it another $500.

What you can do is try to get local team pictures which can be shot out doors with a fill flash shoe mount.

Dog photography you need a zoom lens at least 70-200 and that is about $700 for the Canon 70-200 F4L.

I wish I could make it cheaper but there is no way if you want to make money at it.

Baby photography you can get away with one light, stand and umbrella

You can buy cheap slave units but they have no control and are not reliable.

If you are mechanical one light company just came out with a new light system were they use the new spiral florecent, which they say silmulates daylight.

Build a light bank of four or five 75 watt bulbs which will give you of about 300 to 375 watts.

Unless someone has a cheaper way, that is your only out.

[merrrrjig]

If you are shooting indoors get the AC adaptor if outside get the battery grip foresure

[positive_image]

Thanks for the information and the very sobering numbers for equipment. I appreciate the feedback from those already shooting.