Parents said they would open a credit card for me...........

[bakerbranded]

Hey everyone,

Ok so my parents today told me that if I wanted they would open up a credit card in their name for me so that I would be able to purchase the camera equipment I want/need for my photography (weddings/portraits).

I would still be paying for everything myself, but would be able to put a significant down payment on it so that my payments would not be high.

With it I want to prepared for my first wedding, but also have the equipment I would use for everything else I want to shoot.

The gear I would have before making any more purchases would be:

Gripped 40D
20D
580EX II
50mm 1.8 (The 70-200 f/4 L would be sold to go towards down payment)

I do not want to stick with all primes yet and am about 90% sure I will purchase both the
17-55 f/2.8 IS and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS along with either a 430EX I, II or 580EX I and lots of memory.

After all that is there any changes anyone would make, or is there something else you can think of that you would add.

I was also thinking of maybe losing the 50 1.8 and upgrading to the 1.4 or keep the 1.8 and purchase the 60mm macro.

Anyways what does everyone else think, change, add?

Thanks,
Scott

[picturecrazy]

First of all, I would totally not use a credit card as a way to get a 'loan'. The interest rates are absolutely horrid. Try to get a line of credit or something with your parents as co-signers or something... at least you interest will be around prime rather than 28%.

Second of all, your gear plan looks pretty good. I would get a 580 I over a 430 II as you need all the power you can get when shooting outside in full afternoon sun.

Also, I don't really like the 50 1.8 personally. If it were me, I'd sell the 50 and the battery grip (does it really allow you to get better pictures?) and get the Sigma 30 1.4 if you want a fast prime. The 60 macro is FANTASTIC, but it's a very limited use lens so I'd get more foundational stuff first before a macro... like an ultrawide like the 10-22 or tokina 11-16.

The 17-55 is a super kickass lens. But just DON'T turn on the stabilizer unless you actually need it. i.e. shots under 1/40 WITHOUT flash.

[Mark Russell]

You're gonna get the phone book on what most of us consider must-haves, but if it's within your means, I can't recommend anything more than I recommend a Canon 24-70 2.8L. With mine, I rarely need anything else. I can't remember the last time I switched it out.

[bakerbranded]

First of all, I would totally not use a credit card as a way to get a 'loan'. The interest rates are absolutely horrid. Try to get a line of credit or something with your parents as co-signers or something... at least you interest will be around prime rather than 28%.

Second of all, your gear plan looks pretty good. I would get a 580 I over a 430 II as you need all the power you can get when shooting outside in full afternoon sun.

Also, I don't really like the 50 1.8 personally. If it were me, I'd sell the 50 and the battery grip (does it really allow you to get better pictures?) and get the Sigma 30 1.4 if you want a fast prime. The 60 macro is FANTASTIC, but it's a very limited use lens so I'd get more foundational stuff first before a macro... like an ultrawide like the 10-22 or tokina 11-16.

The 17-55 is a super kickass lens. But just DON'T turn on the stabilizer unless you actually need it. i.e. shots under 1/40 WITHOUT flash.


I dont know if I am able to be a main on a line of credit, can you at 16?
I'll ask them about that option as well thanks.

The 50 1.8 I cannot sell. If anything I would give it away. If I did not get the 50 1.4, then I will continue to keep it. So you like the Sigma? Why would you consider one of the macro to be limited use? I dont know if I'm in the budget tha expensive of a lens, although I would like an ultra wide I dont know if I would be able to own one right now.

[bakerbranded]

You're gonna get the phone book on what most of us consider must-haves, but if it's within your means, I can't recommend anything more than I recommend a Canon 24-70 2.8L. With mine, I rarely need anything else. I can't remember the last time I switched it out.

What do you mean? Also you would still recommend the 24-70 2.8L for a crop body?

[gravy graffix]

i borrowed a 24-70 for my 40d and i dunno... not really wide enough and not enough zoom really either. but thats my opinion...
i also used a 70-200 2.8 is and liked it alot, but have that wide on your other body.

i have no prob getting what i need so far with the 17-50 and the 85mm prime. hang on to that 50... i just printed a 13x19 i took with it and im absolutely in love with the shot.

[Mark Russell]

What do you mean? Also you would still recommend the 24-70 2.8L for a crop body?

Absoloutely. I've only been a photographer for a few years, but full-frame or crop, it's never stopped impressing me. It's sharp, fast, quiet, and focuses well without 'searching' like some of my others did. Aside from its size and weight, I can't imagine anyone NOT liking this one.

[bakerbranded]

Absoloutely. I've only been a photographer for a few years, but full-frame or crop, it's never stopped impressing me. It's sharp, fast, quiet, and focuses well without 'searching' like some of my others did. Aside from its size and weight, I can't imagine anyone NOT liking this one.

Have you ever used one for weddings?

[bobbyz]

Can you run a business at <18, not sure.

Also you would need insurance isn't it?

What about backups?

[bakerbranded]

Can you run a business at <18, not sure.

Also you would need insurance isn't it?

What about backups?

Starts with a lemonade stand at 5.
Insurance on what? Camera Gear?
Backup Equipment?

[bobbyz]

Starts with a lemonade stand at 5.
Insurance on what? Camera Gear?
Backup Equipment?

Insurance on both your gear and liability insurance.

What happens if your camera dies during the wedding ceremony?

[FlyingPhotog]

Starts with a lemonade stand at 5.
Insurance on what? Camera Gear?

Insurance on your gear, on you and for you...

What if something gets stolen from your car?
What if you get hurt while on the job?
What if you break something belonging to a client while on location?
What if someone hurts themselves tripping over your tripod?

Backup Equipment?

A second body is a must for something like weddings. A third to back up 1 and 2 isn't a bad idea either.

[Karl Johnston]

I highly advise ditching the signature.

Other than that, there's nothing wrong with using your parents' card. Just make sure you give them the cash immediately after and they pay it immediately. You can get a credit card at 18, but you need to be working full time. But banks, the fairly decent ones anyway, require you to be able to pay your bills and prove you can keep up with your credit or they won't issue you a card. They will, on the other hand, if you can get someone to co-sign it (essentially accept the responsiability to pay for your **** if you can't).

What you have now is fine, I highly advise you don't weigh yourself down with a ton of equipment you likely won't need to use. A 40D is fine to shoot a wedding with and a couple of lenses. It depends on what you do and how you do it, though, I don't know enough about what you do and how you do it to give any proper advice.

Insurance is an iffy issue, do you need it? Probably not. There's not many people out there who are going to sue a 16 year old for screwing up their wedding photos, I mean no offense to you and all but if you're hiring a 16 year old to do your wedding...you've either got a lot of trust in him/her or you're just on the daring side.

Get liability only, that should be all you need. I highly doubt you're going to want to insure less than 2000 $ worth of equipment for damages, theft and natural disaster; it's just not practical.

Is it worth it? Depends where you get it from, what it is and ...just what exactly your doing. If your shooting one wedding every 6 months - probably wont make sense to get insurance. If you want to break into doing your own full time bizz doing 50 weddings a year - yerrr going to need some insurance.

[bakerbranded]

Insurance on both your gear and liability insurance.

What happens if your camera dies during the wedding ceremony?

Gear yes, liability no, but is a good idea.
I have two bodies. A third would also not be a bad idea.

[bakerbranded]

Insurance on your gear, on you and for you...

What if something gets stolen from your car?
What if you get hurt while on the job?
What if you break something belonging to a client while on location?
What if someone hurts themselves tripping over your tripod?



A second body is a must for something like weddings. A third to back up 1 and 2 isn't a bad idea either.


Gear is insured.
Other then that no, but as stated is a good idea.
Also I have a second body, and a third may be in the picture as well because like you said it would not be bad to have.

[bakerbranded]

I highly advise ditching the signature.

Other than that, there's nothing wrong with using your parents' card. Just make sure you give them the cash immediately after and they pay it immediately. You can get a credit card at 18, but you need to be working full time. But banks, the fairly decent ones anyway, require you to be able to pay your bills and prove you can keep up with your credit or they won't issue you a card. They will, on the other hand, if you can get someone to co-sign it (essentially accept the responsiability to pay for your **** if you can't).

What you have now is fine, I highly advise you don't weigh yourself down with a ton of equipment you likely won't need to use. A 40D is fine to shoot a wedding with and a couple of lenses. It depends on what you do and how you do it, though, I don't know enough about what you do and how you do it to give any proper advice.

Insurance is an iffy issue, do you need it? Probably not. There's not many people out there who are going to sue a 16 year old for screwing up their wedding photos, I mean no offense to you and all but if you're hiring a 16 year old to do your wedding...you've either got a lot of trust in him/her or you're just on the daring side.

Get liability only, that should be all you need. I highly doubt you're going to want to insure less than 2000 $ worth of equipment for damages, theft and natural disaster; it's just not practical.

Is it worth it? Depends where you get it from, what it is and ...just what exactly your doing. If your shooting one wedding every 6 months - probably wont make sense to get insurance. If you want to break into doing your own full time bizz doing 50 weddings a year - yerrr going to need some insurance.


Ditching what on the signature? The ITS A BOY :p?
Along with the credit card issue, I for sure will be able to put half of the card down for down payment.
The gear thing is a must, especially with putting in $4000+ into equipment.
The other (liability) I will defiantly research. But for now the business is family and friends...so far.
The full business will come when I can do things on my own without the constant signatures of the parents.

[martinsjc]

you can shoot a full wedding with a 24-70 and 70-200 2.8. if you can have a wide angle as well awesome, not indispensable. 2 flashes (one on camera and one backup, indispensable. 2 bodies, on you or one as a backup only and switch lenses throughout event, your choice. In my opinion its all you need to start gearwise, if you cant get a great coverage with this gear you wont with any gear.

[bakerbranded]

you can shoot a full wedding with a 24-70 and 70-200 2.8. if you can have a wide angle as well awesome, not indispensable. 2 flashes (one on camera and one backup, indispensable. 2 bodies, on you or one as a backup only and switch lenses throughout event, your choice. In my opinion its all you need to start gearwise, if you cant get a great coverage with this gear you wont with any gear.

Well I will for sure have everything you stated. So that is good to know, thanks! :)

[Mark Russell]

Have you ever used one for weddings?

That's mostly what I use it for.

[bakerbranded]

That's mostly what I use it for.

Hmmm, I would love to buy that but I am really afraid of it not being wide enough and that IS just really seems to be calling me. If I were FF right now it would not even be an issue.

[Mark Russell]

Hmmm, I would love to buy that but I am really afraid of it not being wide enough and that IS just really seems to be calling me. If I were FF right now it would not even be an issue.

I thought about it before getting one too, but after shooting as many weddings as I have I've never had an ounce of regret. Although I don't own one the Canon 16-35 is pretty sweet I'd bet too. But unless I'm in a really small room, all I need to do is take an extra step back and I'm fine. This is still your money we're talking about though. For the price of the 24-70 you can get 2 or 3 competent lenses instead. I was a Sigma guy for a few years before spoiling myself...

[bakerbranded]

I thought about it before getting one too, but after shooting as many weddings as I have I've never had an ounce of regret. Although I don't own one the Canon 16-35 is pretty sweet I'd bet too. But unless I'm in a really small room, all I need to do is take an extra step back and I'm fine. This is still your money we're talking about though. For the price of the 24-70 you can get 2 or 3 competent lenses instead. I was a Sigma guy for a few years before spoiling myself...

I was seriously considering the 16-35 as well.
Wow it is still such a hard decision.

[gravy graffix]

dont get all wrapped up in the L fever... i know its hard i started that way lol

16-35 will be leaving you wanting more... while the 2.8 is nice, i never hear anyone brag about its sharpness. i had the 17-40 and the lens felt useless at times. that 40-50mm range does alot when you need it and dont want big whitey hanging off there.

dont worry about IS until you get past 70mm unless you have parkinsons...jk...

on a crop id find a 17-50 2.8 (tammy around 370)

and you need a zoom, id spend the most here as you can use it alot for other things, sports, bands, what ever... get the 70-200 2.8is

and you need one creative/fun lens... id say 50 1.8 or 1.4 or the 85 1.8

[Karl Johnston]

Ditching what on the signature? The ITS A BOY :p?

Oh no, the "Just a 16 year old trying to make it work" doesn't really have a point, and its just not the kind of slogan a client wants to hear. "Trying to make it work" for example doesn't apply the confidence in yourself to know that it will work, and that passes on to your customer.

Marketing !

Imagine this scenario; you walk into subway and order a sub and a coke. You look up and there is a slogan under the menu that reads: "Subway - hiring 16 year olds that try to make things work." If i saw that I'd probably take a picture of it and put it on the net for laughs.

It sounds awkward to me, maybe some would disagree, but I wouldn't be too inclined to go with someone who was "trying to make things work"

As for gear, like I said what you have is enough. I see excellent results done with the kit lens, though limited, hey its the photog not the gear (with some limitations of course).

[bakerbranded]

Oh no, the "Just a 16 year old trying to make it work" doesn't really have a point, and its just not the kind of slogan a client wants to hear. "Trying to make it work" for example doesn't apply the confidence in yourself to know that it will work, and that passes on to your customer.

Marketing !

Imagine this scenario; you walk into subway and order a sub and a coke. You look up and there is a slogan under the menu that reads: "Subway - hiring 16 year olds that try to make things work." If i saw that I'd probably take a picture of it and put it on the net for laughs.

It sounds awkward to me, maybe some would disagree, but I wouldn't be too inclined to go with someone who was "trying to make things work"

As for gear, like I said what you have is enough. I see excellent results done with the kit lens, though limited, hey its the photog not the gear (with some limitations of course).

I was just kidding.
Yeah I hear you, I had that when I began and was trying to figure out how to work the dang thing, ha.

Thanks again for your opinion!
Scott

[magnum703]

i borrowed a 24-70 for my 40d and i dunno... not really wide enough and not enough zoom really either. but thats my opinion...

Ya I agree, I would suggest getting a lens that's 17mm to whatever as a wide angle lens for weddings and all. I too find the 24-70 on my 40D not wide enough.

[tim]

17-55 F2.8 IS over 28-70 F2.8L IMHO. I've used both. Wait until Lloyd/PictureCrazy gets started on the 24-70.