I became interested in photography a few years back, but I never thought I could make enough money to pursue it as a full time career. I’ve recently fell into a little money and have decided that I’d like to go through with my previous plans of opening my own photography business. I’d like to spend this money on equipment instead of school, so I need a little help determining which camera’s would be best and which equipment I will need to make the best out of my business.
Which camera(s) would be best?
What equipment will be a necessity?
What other kinds of equipment would be good to have but not necessarily needed?
Which editing software is the best?
What kind of printers will I need?

Money is not an issue. I’d like the best of the best, high quality.
Thanks so much for your help!!

Photography can be very competitive in most areas. It will take knowledge in equipment, technique and business. I honestly have to tell you that I believe you are getting ahead of yourself. If you are thinking of opening a business and you don’t even know what type of camera to get, that tell me you need to re-think. First off, you must take some classes and learn about techniques, lighting, posing, etc. For a person to take you seriously, you need to build a portfolio and classes can help you do that. If you really don’t want to do the school route (and it doesn’t have to be a 4 year degree at all), then you should get a job with a photographer and look at it as on the job training. You’ll learn about cameras, settings, lighting, working with people, and the business part.

Good luck. You seem really interested in this career, but you just need the background.

Home or Business?

How did you get started?

Digital?

What camera do you use?

any helpful info you could give me?

I’m in love with photography and have been all my life! I have actually done a few weddings and some portraits. I have some people at work that want me to do their pictures too. I just want to get started on having my own business and I don’t know where to start. I currently have Canon Rebel and am getting ready to purchase the Digital Rebel too … Where should I get the printed for cheapest and how much should I charge for pictures? See, I need help, serious advise!

I have what I call a "portable studio".

My mom has a enlarger, and I have an enlarger. I’ve got a bunch of dryers. And normally we’ll set up in our laundry room because it’s got no windows, and we can easily change the lightbulb.

We use film cameras. I normally use a Pentax K-1000, and my mom uses a Nikon N65.

The first thing you should know about developing photos and such is: how to use the enlarger, what paper to buy, what chemicals to buy, and how long to leave each print in each chemical.

how many people in the uk take up photography in colleges and how many get a sucessful photography career?

how long is a piece of string?

hundreds of people take up places in colleges universities and schools across the land… and teh chances are, that the people with the careers didnt goto any such place.

hundreds of photographers find work, only a very select few make it to the david bailey standard… the rest of us work hard, and manage to earn a crust, give the kids new shoes and make a deposit ont eh aston martin of our choice… (oh i wish)

it must pay, or we wouldnt do it…

How is digital headshot photography different from film? Would I shoot in Raw or jpeg? How do the clients receive their pictures from me? Would I do touch ups or just give them a DVD and have the client take it to the lab? How much should I charge? I am currently taking photoshop I at the International School of photography, but need to start working immediately and have connections in the acting community. Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Sounds like you need a degree in Business.

6 questions:
1. Too vague to provide specifics.
2. RAW or TIFF – I chose based on application (Jpeg for web)
3. Digital is cost effective
4. Disk or print… your client pays so makes the choice.
5. Touch ups are part of the process.
6. How good are you?

Like a one similiar to Nikon D70, something of that range and having similiar features and producing best quality digital images. I am running a photography studio, I usually deal with wedding photography.

goto dpreview.com and compare them

without more info your question is like whats the best racing car simalar to an indy car, if you are running a studio you should know a little about DSLR’s?

hi!
I’m only 16 but photography is so intresting to me! I’ve heard of people starting photogrpahy at a young age, but I’m not quite sure how. Does anyone have any suggestions? I’ll be going to college next year and I’m planning on taking some photography classes there, but what can I do now to get a head start? Is there any suggested things to begin photographing? Any suggestions about anything is welcome!
Thanks!

I shot my first wedding at age 13. The couple couldn’t afford a "real" photographer so I volunteered, shot it for free and they bought a bunch of my (way too cheap) prints. I shot candids of my classmates in school; gave some prints away and sold additional copies. By the time I was in college I had a portrait studio in my parent’s home. I also started doing advertising photography for local businesses who also couldn’t afford a "real " photographer … but they ended up paying me real money for pictures they really liked.

Hope that gives you some ideas. You’re never too young to start. Develop good skills and a professional attitude and your youth won’t be seen as a negative by old people like me.

I’m in a studio arts class, and my theme is childhood. I can’t find any photography artists whose theme is childhood. Please help, I’m planning on focusing on the carefree aspect of childhood.

Please, please help me find some digital photographt childhood artists.
Thanks so much in advance!

Try going to photosig.com that site cover almost every aspect of photography and you might find someone from your area that can help you.

My mom says i should look for something else to do, that i won’t make enough money and i’ll "end up waitressing." my friend says that i could make a lot of money, even just photographing weddings and stuff. she mentioned paparazzi but i’m not interested in that whatsoever. galleries? idk exactly. would anyone enlighten me? thanks

Lets get back to basics.

* Get some formal education in photography … you will not only learn how to use your camera (and others) under almost any conditions, you will also though completing assignments, get a taste for all the various fields of photography there are.
* After school, become an assistant for a successful photographer in the field of photography you enjoy … this could include wedding, portraitist, advertising, fashion, event, sports … well the list can go on nearly forever.
* Spend some time learning how the business end of photography works and that charging $700 a day, may lead you into bankruptcy.
* Then network with other pros in your area … here in the States, ASMP and NPPA are excellent organizations that have local chapters in medium to large market areas. Attend some of their meetings as a guest and start networking.

What items would I need?
I know I would need the camera, lighting, back drops and light boxes, but where could i get a digital photo printer that prints in mass [like the ones in asda] and how do people print to canvas?
Also, if I had my own darkroom, would I need an enlarger [i think thats what its called]?
Where do I get all this stuff from
HELP! (=
Thanks

Stop. Take a deep breath. Exhale slowly.

Now enroll in a photography course, preferably a 4 yr. one although a 2 yr. Associate will work. You will learn using a 35mm film camera. You will learn about light, composition, ISO, shutter speed and f-stops. You will process and print black and white. You will learn photography. If there are no courses in your area, consider the New York Institute of Photography (nyip.com). They offer correspondence courses and have been in business since 1910.

Plan on taking some business courses since there is a lot involved with starting and running a business. Taxes. Insurance. Incorporating.

Call every professional photographer in your area until you find one who needs an assistant. This will be an excellent learning experience as you observe how a professional works and what is involved in running a business. Watch and listen and only ask questions when your mentor isn’t working or if you don’t understand your instructions.

You should be ready to go out on your own in 2 or 3 years.

Basically things like photography, art, graphic design … communication systems … you get the idea

If you are really good, you can make a LOT of money selling your images as Royalty-free or Rights-managed stock photography. Some sites to look at and apply to:
ImageEnvision.com
Corbis.com
GettyImages.com
Istockphoto.com
Shutterstock.com

The last two are considered micro stock photo sites where images are sold for really cheap (or by subscription) but many artists make a LOT because their images sell over and over and over…

Many artists and photographers are able to make a great living off of selling their work as stock. The images are used by publishers, designers, etc. Plus pretty much any travelling you do, meals paid for, shopping, etc can be used as a write off as long as you find a way to make it into work (such as by taking a picture).

Otherwise, graphic design and freelance photography would be good too.