Basic Lighting Equipment for Small Scale Shoot

Hello, all. I run an ecommerce website for men's and women's sunglasses. I need to start taking pictures of the merchandise using professional lighting equipment. These won't be white stock photos - the sunglasses will be worn by a mannequin. I need lighting equipment but I'm not sure what terminology/items to use and ask for when shopping for this equipment. I imagine that I will probably need a backdrop but it shouldn't be too large. What about small lighting lamps? Umbrellas and such? The photo shoots will be small scale - I'll just be taking pictures of a mannequin wearing sunglasses but I'd like the photos to look professional and well lit.

Can you guys create a basic list of equipment for me?

This is a toughie! You can go as cheaply as a couple of clamp on lights with flourescent bulbs (set proper white balance) with paper as the infinity background (under $20) to a full blown commercial lightbox with top of the line flashes ($1K). Couple of links for ideas are http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …0-macro-photo-studio.html or http://www.wikihow.com …sive-Photography-Lightbox. You can google "DIY lightbox" for numerous other ideas. But the basics stay the same.

Thank you very very much for that info.

Now that you mention it, I remember that I have a large light box stored somewhere.

Will definitely pick up FL bulbs for that white light!

Questions...

1. An infinity background - is that the exact term used for this equipment?

2. Are there any stands I can buy to hold up the infinity background? I'm picturing a stand with a horizontal rod to which the background would be clamped... if such a stand exists, what is it called?

3. Are there lamp stands that would be small/short enough to set on a table which I could use to clamp my lamps to??

You just need to lean the background against something to support it. I use poster board (available in various colours). What you want is a curve from horizontal to vertical, no line where the transition occurs. Creates an infinity look - no horizon.
If you have diffusers on the sides of the light box, you can just lay the lights on the tabletop or perhaps on some books if you want the extra height. Alternatively, shine your lights through a bed sheet, tissue paper or other translucent material.
When choosing the CF bulbs, make sure that they are daylight bulbs. But as I said before, setting the correct white balance can compensate for any bulb you use.
The setup can be done quite cheaply.

Excellent. Thank you again.