Out of my league??

I need a little help if anyone is intereted in giving advice. I have been running my own photography studio with some success for about a year now. Recently I came across the president of 4 or 5 national magazines and I told him what I do and he said that he was looking for a new Texas photographer. The problem is that my mouth may have written a check my body cant cash. I know notthing about magazine layout or the photography. My question is what is the minimum megapixel camera and lens(s) and or flash I'm gonna need here to have my prints look like those in the magazines. I know what I'm doing but I fear that, since Im still new, that my equipment may not be adequate here. I use studio lights, an 8 megapixel dslr and have had great success with it- will it work here or should I look at a 12 or 16 megapixel camera,

Thank you in advance
Big break in Texas

A lot of magazine photos were taken with the D30, which was only a 3 mp camera. The 1D is only a 4 mp and a lot of sports and other type photos made national coverage from the shooters that used it. And then there are all the other brands besides Canon that are 8 mp or less that have produced some great shots in the magazines.

It's not really the camera, but what you do with it that counts. If you can get your focus, color balance, exposure and composition down, then it's just a matter of the right subject matter and timing.

It doesn't hurt to talk to them and find out what kind of photography they want and let them know what kind of equipment you have. They will probably want to see some of your work, which will tell them if you meet their needs or look like you can. Give it a shot.

Mike

Thanks fot the quick response, it's nice to hear that. Maybee I might be able to pull this off after all.

welcome to POTN and congratulations.. and agree that I would show a portfolio tell them what you are working with and let them decide if you meet their needs..

sari

With any publication you need to get the printing specs such as format needed for optimum printing, amount of sharpening allowed, dpi etc so your images will be workable within there publications.

Go yo your library & look at back issues of the "4 or 5 national magazines" & see what they're doing now. Show the AD something better, & you'll be OK.

Desmond - I'm willing to bet that, after seeing the quality of your work, and the attitude for work ethics, this guy is more concerned about completion of projects than anything.
Your concerns over the mechanics of the getting the right specs of files is easily overcome. Anything from a 300D on up will give you the quality for magazines.

I'm sure you have purchased copies of the mags and poured over them to measure the layouts and see the kind of stuff they are using, etc.

Take a hard look at what and how they are offering you work. Don't be overwhelmed by the idea. He asked You, not the other way round' DO NOT give yourself away, cause you will never, ever get back to where you think you should be.

Show interest but practice cautious optimism.

Every magazine I have shot for wants the original right out of the camera file. No levels adjustments, no sharpening, nothing. They have people who do that with equipment that is calibrated to their working profiles. Ask them what they want you to do.