What equipment do I need to start a photography business?
I enjoy photography and have a digital Nikon D40 with a few accessories that I love to use. I wanted to take photography to a business level since recently I’ve had a lot referrals from family and friends to do their pictures. Thing is I don’t really know what I need. I figure that I’d start small and get the basics and start small. So what should I get for portrait style photos? What are the best basic necessities that I would need that are portable an can take with me?
Also I’m not sure what to charge. I’m just starting out and haven’t charged anyone for taking photographs since it’s mostly close friends and family but I want to be compensated for my time when I do it for others. Should I charge for photos? Give them a disk with the digital pictures? Anything helps.
In response to a comment, I have taken photos at weddings and other functions where there was a hired photographer and my photos were better than the photographers. Everyone has said so and agrees which is why they ask me to take the photos and why I want to do it professionally at least part-time for now. I like candid photography but people are interested in portrait photography like in a studio. I usually do them with scenic backgrounds but I’ve been asked to go to people homes to do family portraits and I don’t know what I would need besides a background and stand. Such as what kind of lighting, props etc.
I have answered this question 1000 times before, and I am going to give the short answer.
If you don’t know what equipment you need for a photography business, then you can not start a photography business.
Somebody who is about to start a business will know exactly the equipment needed (and will likely already own it and be very experienced with it) and will not need to ask a question like this. You are years away yet.
Praise from family and friends on your images do not count.
Sorry to be blunt, but it’s true.
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"I have taken photos at weddings and other functions where there was a hired photographer and my photos were better than the photographers."
Bullshit indicator = 100% probability..
"Everyone has said so and agrees"
Praise from family and friends on your images do not count.
You can not do anything "professionally" until you first have a clue what you are doing… Which you don’t.. not by years. You can not "get the basics" and do things "professionally" at the same time.
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Posted in digital photography business
February 1st, 2010 at 3:33 am
D700
85mm f/1.8
50mm f/1.4
24-70mm f/2.8
Umbrellas
Props
Muslins
Stools
2 or 3 strobes
Softboxes
Computer
Enhancing Software
Liability insurance
Quickbooks Pro
At least some business classes
References :
February 1st, 2010 at 4:23 am
I have answered this question 1000 times before, and I am going to give the short answer.
If you don’t know what equipment you need for a photography business, then you can not start a photography business.
Somebody who is about to start a business will know exactly the equipment needed (and will likely already own it and be very experienced with it) and will not need to ask a question like this. You are years away yet.
Praise from family and friends on your images do not count.
Sorry to be blunt, but it’s true.
+++
"I have taken photos at weddings and other functions where there was a hired photographer and my photos were better than the photographers."
Bullshit indicator = 100% probability..
"Everyone has said so and agrees"
Praise from family and friends on your images do not count.
You can not do anything "professionally" until you first have a clue what you are doing… Which you don’t.. not by years. You can not "get the basics" and do things "professionally" at the same time.
+++
.
References :
February 1st, 2010 at 4:40 am
Get a better camera (maybe opt for a secondhand D80)
Get lots of memory cards.
Get a nice flash (Sb-600 or higher)
Get practice
Get a good, sturdy tripod (Not a twenty dollar Wal-Mart tripod)
Get a tax ID
Get Quickbooks
Get lightroom and Photoshop (or Gimp)
Get a contract together that protects you
Get a good camera bag
Definitely get good lenses (I’d say a 50mm 1.8D but it won’t autofocus on your D40)
Reflectors
The bad thing about starting out low is that whenever you raise prices you’ll lose most of your market.
I don’t recommend starting out a business with a D40. It’s a great beginner camera, but not for a business. If you’re serious about business, invest in a nicer camera and lenses. And remember that most of running a photo business is marketing, not actually taking photos.
Edit: I’m with everyone else… If you don’t know what you need then you’ve got quite a ways to go. Even if you’re just asking for props/lighting/stands. If you don’t know, you’re not ready, especially if you’re going to do it with a D40.
Everyone says your pics are better? Did the bride and groom say that (at every wedding?)
I’ve studied in school for several years and am in the process of getting everything I need to so I can start a business. I know exactly what I need to get and do before I can get there, and I figure it’ll take another 6 months before I can officially open.
There’s a long stretch of time between saying "I’m going to start a business" and actually getting your business up and running.
References :
February 1st, 2010 at 5:28 am
First and foremost, take some classes in photography. As a pro, clients will expect you to be able to produce marketable images on demand and using the "try and fail" method is a sure way to have your business fail.
Next spend four to five years working as an assistant to a working pro (or two). Doing this has a few advantages. 1) you will be able to hone the skills you learned while in school, 2) start building the camera system you will need for your career in photography and 3) learn the business of photography.
Then before you go off on your own, contact SCORE and have them help you write a business and marketing plan as well as a Profit and Loss work sheet.
Then AFTER you have all the above done, you should have a good chance to be successful
References :
Fashion and glamour photographer
February 1st, 2010 at 6:01 am
If you honestly have no idea what you’ll need, then you aren’t ready. I know exactly what I need for my business but I just don’t have the funds yet. I do what I can with what I have and that’s the best most people can do until they have everything. And even when you have everything you’ll want more.
References :
February 1st, 2010 at 6:35 am
Mere’s got a pretty good list. Liability Insurance is a major plus – if you can afford it, maybe even a nice package including Inland Marine (your equipment).
It’s a good idea to have back up equipment as well. If one camera or lens bites it and you’re doing work for a wedding, I don’t think the officiant will say "Sure, go to Best Buy or wherever, we’ll wait for you to buy a new one,"
And remember, there’s a contract for event jobs like weddings. If you can’t perform your end of the contract, even due to unforseen circumstances, you are in default and depending on how angry the happy couple is, VERY liable to being sued for breach of contract. And chances are, they will be pretty angry with no images from their happy day lost.
I’d also get a pretty plainly defined, watertight contract drawn up.
References :
February 1st, 2010 at 7:14 am
If your photography is that good why didn’t they hire you? With that being said here is a few things in photography 101…
referrals= what people give to others
request= what you are getting from family and friends
You say you have better pictures than the photographers… do you have a website that you can send me a link to so I can see your work?
Family will always want to get something for nothing… especially if you do it better than them. You will find out how quickly your REQUEST start to dwindle after you charge someone. Then you’ll see how much they will knit pick your work…. How come I look so pale, why my dress looks stretched, why my nose looks big, and so on and so on.
Compare your photography to established photographers on real websites… not some JOE WANNA BE PRO down the street that someone hired to save a buck.
We are all great photographers before our time when we start out… I can give you a list of things to get… but there are people on here that will disagree. But when I get down to pure facts… they get quiet. If you need a mentor or guide… you not going to find it here. If you just want a few good pointers contact me direct.
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