I am creating a buisness plan to start up a portrait/wedding/event photography studio/on location buisness. And am trying to think of some of the important equiptment that i would need to get and feel like I am missing something. I am shooting film and digital, but mostly digital as of now anyways.
For the equiptment that i have thought of I did a quick estimate on ebay because I am hoping to buy used equiptment because I am not able to afford new and they will probably not be the name brand equiptment either....
Anyways, the equiptment includes so far.... (I already have the camera body and lens)
-lighting kit with three lights and variable lighting controls (I am used to dyna-lites but am not able to afford them)
-light meter
-muslin
-flash for on top of the camera for event/wedding photos where I can't set up the lighting kit
-Photoshop program
Is there anything else that I should be getting that I am not thinking of? I feel like I am missing something important...
Insurance for sure. If the bridezilla is unhappy enough after the fact to file a lawsuit, you're all done.
Contracts and sales forms, brochures, samples. Pricing. issues.
Wedding photography is a cheap business to get into, if you are willing to assume an awesome amount of risk that you could lose your home, car, etc. To protect your assets costs money up front.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0817436170/sr=8-2/qid=1150906216/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-1727068-8641452?%5Fencoding=UTF8
The Business of Wedding Photography (Hardcover)
by Ann Monteith (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/103-1727068-8641452?%5Fencoding=UTF8&index=books&rank=-relevance%2C%2Bavailability%2C-daterank&field-author-exact=Ann%20Monteith)
is a good resource.
No, I am sorry. I actually know quite a bit about cameras, but since my lens is set on a particular setting, I don't have the ability to change the aperature of the lens... which is the part that confuses me because people have said many times on here about what settings they use on their lens... which i can not change on my lens.
I do have formal education on using the camera, but with film so digital is a new thing. I am currently doing an apprenticeship with a local photographer, and am starting studies this fall at the technical college to get a diploma in portrait/wedding photography to get a further focus on the skills that i learned in the 5 photography classes that I had as an undergrad. I am planning to start up my business after I get that diploma so that it will be easier to secure loans since i can say I that I have thorough education and practice, but I am working on the buisness plan now and throughout the next year so that i can get things started and prepared for opening when I feel I have ability to do so. So, indeed, I am still in the planning stages, and will be for awhile.
Also, not to scare you, but I did shoot a small outdoor wedding last weekend for my boyfriend's brother. They weren't going to have any photographers so I offered to do it for free. And the whole thing turned out to be quite successful. I realize the risks of photography, and I am not a complete novice. I appreciate your concerns though.
Hello,
Bill, you're gonna fit in just fine here! :lmao:
Fuddy
To answer a point from the original question that has not been answered, you don't need to pay for an expensive copy of PhotoShop. Just use the open-source equivalent - the GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program). See www.gimp.org (http://www.gimp.org). It's as good as Photoshop (some say better) and you can use it legally with your business for free.
Ted
If I were to cross into the high risk world of wedding photography the first thing I would do.... find another photographer to apprentice under. You sound young and haven't accumulated financial/family obligations and responsibility. If you are serious, offer your services for free for the sake of learning. Just like any trade, you cannot just jump in head first.
The wedding is a one-time event (for that couple anyway - usually). The important moments come and go in a blink of an eye, and are never repeated. Miss that 'money shot' of the kiss, and find out what it feels like to not be paid - or to be sued and lose your house.
Please reconsider this until you have some level of expertise - this is the single highest liability photography arena you could get into - meaning you have the most to lose from a legal liability standpoint. If you're not master of your equipment and have a firm footing as a photographer, my prediction is that you're going to have major problems, and possibly ruin someone's wedding memories in the process.
I mean this with total good will and no desire to hurt your feelings.
I very much agree with this also. I think a person should be a skilled portrait or street/PJ photographer before stepping into the wedding arena. It's just too important of an event, and there are no do-overs.
I guess you are getting a little taste of what business is going to be like on this thread. Personally I applaud your planning before you actually start. As a person who went into business without much of a plan (not wedding photography) I can attest that it is not an easy way to go. I struggled for several years because of poor planning and not being knowledgeable about certain things. I was lucky and now have become successful and secure enough not to worry about anyone else and what they are doing (in my business anyone with a pickup truck and sign on the side is ‘in the business’). You will always run into naysayers and people that don’t think you should try it. If being a wedding photographer is your dream, don’t listen to them, just continue your education and getting experience and try and follow your idea as far as you can. The market will ultimately decide if you should be there or not. Here is my short list of things you need to be successful:
1. Knowledge and experience
2. Honesty and integrity (reputation is paramount)
3. Drive and the ability to challenge yourself and take advantage of opportunities that are presented
4. Networking (it’s about people)
I am surprised by some people’s reaction here. It is not the TPF I have come to know and love. So my advice is hang out, keep reading and asking questions as there are some extremely knowledgable and talented people that will help you (some have replied to this thread already), not put you down.
Hi "wigwamjones" is right on. To be blunt, how can you even consider starting a business and not even know what equipment you may need. Would you hire a surgeon that just purchased the necessary equipment without any knowledge of the skills involved. I certainly wouldn't like to be your first patient [victim]. Your approach is completely back to front. With respect, may I suggest you rethink your aims in life. I can't believe you're serious about asking the questions.
Hello,
Get used to it Bill. This place seems to be the first port of call for all the idiot lazy wannabes out there, which is a shame. Still got that strip of gaffer tape?
Regards
Fuddy
Which is why you're here? Coming into the forum to ask for advice on photography before they pursue their passion in the form of a career is none of that and actually takes a lot more courage and drive than just posting rude comments to make yourself feel better. Please don't let it happen again.
Hello,
Get used to it Bill. This place seems to be the first port of call for all the idiot lazy wannabes out there, which is a shame. Still got that strip of gaffer tape?
Regards
Fuddy
You are a jerk. :grumpy: How dare you call someone names who is just learning the art of photography. I was the OP just a few months ago, and I got a similar reaction, although not as rude as you, and I am GLAD you never responded to me, and if you did I don't remember it.
Furthermore, who are you to call this person a lazy or an idiot? You know nothing about them. Sure, they should probably learn what "those numbers at the end" mean, and I agree, but the very fact that they came seeking help is more to show that they are not LAZY.
The OP, and I, were deluded to think a wedding photographer could start this business on a shostring budget. I am doing a wedding in May, because I was personally asked by the bride, for reasons I've got into before and I won't go into now. Will I advertise myself as a professional wedding photog after this? No. I won't.... but I am sure I will get another offer soon enough, and I'll take it on if it's something I think I can do!
Also, everyone's list of what you "need" to be a professional photographer is different. For example I made over $1200 dollars in the last 3 months using a POINT AND SHOOT Canon A610:
http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Canon%20PowerShot%20A610%20Digital%20Camera:1992 668872
All of my business was word of mouth! The extent of my advertisement is a picture hanging at work with my phone number on it... I dont even have business cards!!!
I will continue getting people contacting me about my services, and I explain to them I am an amatuer, and this is a hobby/side business and I charge only to cover my costs and time. (4 hour single person photo sessions for 50 - 75 dollars) I haven't had one complaint. Not one.
Listen, I know I have a lot to learn still, and I think I udnerstand aperature and lighting more than the average person, and maybe more than the OP... but I am just starting, and you, and the rest of the people on this forum who think like you have NO business calling anyone names.
Grow up. Offer advice or shut up... if you think the best advice is "I don't think you're ready for this" then say so, but don't call names.
P.S. There should be a punishment for this type of behaviour.
mel02monroe, I just wanted to say I think you are making a very wise decision by thinking about your business plan now while you are still studying photography. I have owned a Portrait & Wedding studio for 3 years and quite honestly the hardest part is the business end (marketing, taxes, starting credit, etc). I think the equipment you have listed is a great start. As your business makes money you will probably start to invest in more lenses, etc. As Big Mike mentioned, backup is KEY! We always carry two digital bodies along with film body too. As for equipment, we shoot with the following:
Nikon D70
Canon 10D
Nikon N70
Assortment of lenses: 20mm, 50mm, 100mm (macro), 70-200 2.8
3 1G cards and 3 512 cards
40 Gig portable storage device
2 off camera flashes along with a Quantum flash
Rechargable batteries (probably enough to power our entire home ;) )
For studio portraits we have:
Hensel Lighting Kit
20X30 softbox
A few props for children (bench, chairs, etc)
Background stand
3 musln backgrounds
2 roll paper backgrounds
I think one of the biggest mistakes a new photographer can make is thinking they have to have it all RIGHT NOW. By starting with what you have, doing a few shoots and then reinvesting that money into new/upgraded equipment. When I shot my first wedding the bride knew it was my first "for pay" wedding. I gave her a discounted price and everyone was happy. In fact, from that first wedding we received two referaals from her family for more wedding shoots.
Contracts are king in this business, but insurance is also a must have just in case. I made my business a corporation to protect my personal assets in case a couple wanted to sue. You also aren't alone in these questions and a new sub-forum for the Business side of photography will be introduced soon (location TBD).
Keep up your positive attitude, asking questions and improving your skills and you will go far in this business.
Let me make sure that I'm on the same page first... On your lenses, you have an aperture ring at the end and it has a different colored 32 than the other numbers and the camera throws up an EE if you try and shoot in any other number, save for 32, is what I read. If it is, it just means that the camera will take over the aperture settings for the lens so you don't have to manually change it every time you shoot. Also, the numbers at the end of your lens is the minimum aperture for the lens (largest opening) with the smaller number being on the widest end and the larger being on the telephoto end.
This is what i was talking about... the aperature ring. I understand about the technical aspect of apperature I have shot manually for several years now and have had no problems, but I understand that other people can adjust their aperature ring to other settings and I didn't know if it was just this way on my particular cameras or if it was for most and that is what confused me. I don't remember learning why it was always set at that number, but that it had to be at that number for my camera to work, and it is the same for both of my camera bodies, so I couldn't remember the exact reason why it was set at 32. I think that the others have misunderstood what I meant. Maybe I wasn't clear at all. I didn't mean for this whole discussion to be blown out of context. I was asking for the sake of asking because this forum is a way to learn new things. I didn't realize that I would be attacked for asking something I did not learn in my photography classes.
Now, if I am not going to be attacked... I have another question about the D70... it was mentioned in this string that it wasn't as great for croping... does that have to do with the pixels? Is there lower amount of pixels compared to the D200? The photographer I work with has a D200 and D100, but i think he mainly uses the 200... I am new to the whole digital thing so I am learning. Thanks for the faith, and not putting me down, hobbes.
THanks for the reply, the list isn't too far from what I had in mind. Thanks for the suggestions too!
You will find the e-book on wedding photography here (http://www.camerahobby.com/learning_modules.htm) very useful.
Thanks for the link, I took a brief look at it, it looks interesting will look further into it later.
Hi Mel,
There are some really good points and advice from people here and understandably some frustrations when it appears like a typical 'I have just bought a low end DSLR and kit lens and am setting up a wedding business'. It looks like you have your head screwed on and are planning well. The advice to build up slowly and reinvest is very good as there is always something else you need. I'm sure the other working photographers will agree with me that it is only when you are actually working that you find your style and therefore which kit you like. For instance, my colleague has completely different kit to me (both Canon) but we both work in the same business. Just as some suggestions for kit which I would say vary from essential to desirable are ... fast lenses for low light non flash services (I carry a couple on me) spare camera body (again I have it on me) flashes and remote transmitter (as direct flash as main source is point and shoot territory) Insurance (professional indemnity, public liability and equipment) Radio Triggers (as sync leads are unreliable and dangerous) etc etc Hope this helps, cheers Chris
I have a Nikon D-70 that came with a AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5G ED lens, and my other lens is Quantaray AF 70-300mm 1:4-5.6LD. I don't know what those numbers at the end mean... but my camera only works with the lens aperature at 32... does this make sense? I am not sure if i know what i am talking about. But i use both lens on my film and digital cameras. What would be considered a "good quality lens" or what is the difference between what i have and what you are meaning?
I haven't got to the buisness costs yet... i have bits and pieces of the costs, but i don't have them all organized.
I was thinking of getting a light kit that includes the lights and the stands.
I will just input that Nikon AF lenses need to be set at the minimum aperature for automatic camera modes to work. If you don't you get the EE message. So if your lens has a minimum aperature of 32. Then you have to set it to that for the camera to control the aperature (auto). Most lenses actually have a lock there so you can't accidentially take it out of the minimum aperature. Even though its on 32, that doesn't mean what the camera is adjusting it too. The camera opens the lens wide open so you have a bright view. When you take the picture it stops down to the setting the metering determines is correct (auto mode).
Now for the camera. I disagree that you automaticially have to have a big mp camera to do wedding / portrait work. Now if you have a smaller mp camera it may limit your customers. But part of taking a job is for the photographer to interview the client. To know what the client wants and expects! They interview you, and you them. If they want large prints, then yes, you may have to trun the job down. If they want a standard photo album with no bigger than 8x10's. Then the lower D-70 camera will be just fine. But I will caution the need for fast lenses. If you have cheap slow lenses (lower quality glass also). You may find your output prints are not of high enough quality. Cameras too, but in this discussion its a known good camera.
So anyhow, the letters at the end, pretty much are the type of coatings on the lens. I don't have anything digital, but, don't " G " lenses come without an aperature control ring ?
Someone earlier suggested a few props for children, benches, chairs, etc. You can find high quality and custom designed chairs, benches and posers in wicker, willow, wood or metal at http://www.wickerbydesign.com . We have sizes for all ages of children, infants, babies, toddlers, 3-5 years old and older children - even Seniors. You can also search for posing ideas in our Portrait Gallery where there are nearly 1000 images with search tags.
Hi "wigwamjones" is right on. To be blunt, how can you even consider starting a business and not even know what equipment you may need. Would you hire a surgeon that just purchased the necessary equipment without any knowledge of the skills involved. I certainly wouldn't like to be your first patient [victim]. Your approach is completely back to front. With respect, may I suggest you rethink your aims in life. I can't believe you're serious about asking the questions.
I'm sorry but what? Are we all born with innate knowledge of what we need to set up a photography business, no, that's why we come to places like this and ask questions. And before you say "S/he clearly hasnt done their research" they already gave a good list at the start of the thread.
I stand corrected on the D70 thing.
Mr/s Monroe, please don't go anywhere else for the sake of a quickly phrased and harshly accepted statement. People have been pretty tolerant around me and I think they will be for you as well, it's just that other people have slaved away to build a photography business and when they see what they suspect is a clueless person ready to set up they get a little riled. However, as you;ve pointed out you're not clueless, just phrased a statement a little quickly and other people came back to you quicker.I suspect as well, you have a lot to teach those of us (like me) who have a good grasp of the technical side, but are somewhat lacking in the artistic side of photography
It sounds like you would be happier at a different board. You might want to look at Photo.net. The atmosphere here is like a clubhouse and friendly, which trumps everything else. Sure, it's a photography forum, but it's a friendly photography forum. A large number of the members are very new to photography, and quite a few are on the younger side, so being judgemental doesn't help further the whole "learning" thing.
As I'm sure people who have gotten a critique will tell you, I'm not afraid of telling someone what I think. But I also try to be polite (I'm not alway, but I do try) and tell them why I'm thinking the way I am.
I've been noticing a few of the newer members posting things like "this is just a snapshot" or something similar, and that's it. That's just rude.
In this case, it seems like you are posting out of frustration. Considering the types of questions that come up here regularly, this will be a very frustrating board to be a member of. "What camera should I buy?" will be asked at least once a week, and probably more often. Sure, the person asking could do their own research, but in their mind, that's what they are doing. Since I can get frustrated with the same question, I often will just not post in those threads. Why is it up to me to set them in their place? Other people have to problem answering the question, so why not let them?
But when people here treat an obvious moron as if they were asking such a question one has to ask why.
Why? I mean, why do we have to ask why? Why can't we just let it go? If you don't like a thread, stop reading it. If you want to make your opinion known, go right ahead. Just be polite about it.
Personally, I found it odd that they seemed to switch their story, but I said my piece about needing to know what you are doing before shooting a wedding. It might have been a misunderstanding. It might not have been, but calling names isn't going to make it any better.
The Business of Wedding Photography (Hardcover)
by Ann Monteith (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/103-1727068-8641452?%5Fencoding=UTF8&index=books&rank=-relevance%2C%2Bavailability%2C-daterank&field-author-exact=Ann%20Monteith)
is a good resource.
Sweet, I will look into it.
Which is why you're here? Coming into the forum to ask for advice on photography before they pursue their passion in the form of a career is none of that and actually takes a lot more courage and drive than just posting rude comments to make yourself feel better. Please don't let it happen again.
Hello,
I have no problem with people asking for advice before they pursue their passion. But when they say, and I quote, :
"I have a Nikon D-70 that came with a AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5G ED lens, and my other lens is Quantaray AF 70-300mm 1:4-5.6LD. I don't know what those numbers at the end mean... but my camera only works with the lens aperature at 32... does this make sense? I am not sure if i know what i am talking about."
one has to wonder exactly how "passionate" they really are. The fact is that plenty of people come here to ask questions about their new camera which would be answered by a cursory glance at the instruction manual. You may get a warm feeling from explaining the most basic of functions etc to these people, but I have a stock answer: RTFM.
I have no problem with passionate people asking intelligent questions about technique etc; after all that is partly the purpose of this site. But when people here treat an obvious moron as if they were asking such a question one has to ask why.
I shall adhere to your request to play nice, however.
Bill will now lead us in his version of Kum-By-Ya.
Regards
Fuddy
ps, WTF is an "aperature" anyway?
It really depends on what you will be doing. If it's studio/on location portraits...then lights may be your priority...but if it's wedding/event...then a flash will probably be more important.
You will need stands for all that stuff...lights, background camera (tripod) etc.
If you are doing weddings/events you will need backup equipment. A backup camera, lens & flash at the least.
Batteries and memory...lots of both.
Not equipment but did you figure in business costs? Taxes, insurance, business fees & registrations?
What lens do you have? Wedding/event photography may require a fast lens...and you will want a good quality lens for any professional work.
I have a Nikon D-70 that came with a AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5G ED lens, and my other lens is Quantaray AF 70-300mm 1:4-5.6LD. I don't know what those numbers at the end mean... but my camera only works with the lens aperature at 32... does this make sense? I am not sure if i know what i am talking about. But i use both lens on my film and digital cameras. What would be considered a "good quality lens" or what is the difference between what i have and what you are meaning?
I have to agree with the advice that has been given so far about trying to learn a little more about your cameras before getting too deep into starting the business up. I think you are doing all of the necessary things to get the business side ready before you jump into it.
Let me make sure that I'm on the same page first... On your lenses, you have an aperture ring at the end and it has a different colored 32 than the other numbers and the camera throws up an EE if you try and shoot in any other number, save for 32, is what I read. If it is, it just means that the camera will take over the aperture settings for the lens so you don't have to manually change it every time you shoot. Also, the numbers at the end of your lens is the minimum aperture for the lens (largest opening) with the smaller number being on the widest end and the larger being on the telephoto end.
If this is new information to you, the only thing that most of the members are trying to say is that there are some important parts of your camera that you will need to get familiar with before you go into a business. I think that going back to school like you're already planning and maybe following around a seasoned photographer before putting your plan into action could be the smartest/safest option.
I know that some pro's use D70's as their backups, but I think you need a better camera. Now I'm the first to say that megapixels don't make the woman or man, but if you're blowing up your photos big, you want more room for error in terms of cropping than the d70 will give you. A d200 should do it, or better if you can get.
Hmm... I happen to know a photographer or two that do weddings professionally and use a D70 as their primary camera..... and I'm one of them. When we first started doing weddings, we used to crop a lot more than we do now and it never had a problem taking up to half of the image out in a crop and still blowing up to a 16x20. Nowadays, we just frame the images how we want them. It's like the carpenter saying of measure twice, cut once. More than anything it saves us a tremendous amount of time in the post processing work. After a while of doing weddings, you see all of the possible photo sizes in your head before you click the shutter, which takes a lot of work out. And for that, the D70 is everything you could possibly need.
Whatever way you decide to go, good luck and keep us informed. :D
Hi "Mel02monroe" I think I have offended you with my reply, I obviously misunderstood what you were getting and I apologise. I suppose we base our answers on our background and experience and I am not a wedding photographer, but I have been in business for 38 years in advertising photography, and spent the previous 10 years working in the industry to learn my trade. I will now follow "wigwam jones" and bow out of the discussion.
This question comes up here all the time and I know it's sometimes met with the nicest responses but I think a little explanation is in order. The people here who might get offended by this type of question are people who (like myself) have spent years learning a craft (Photography) done countless low paid weddings and mabye someday (or now) will be getting paid good money to shoot portraits weddings etc. because they have the experience and have paid their dues. Now I'm not saying you need to apprentice under someone for years or whatever but do not be surprised when you come on here and say "I'm not sure what side to look into the camera but I want to get a SBA loan and open a studio where do I start" (of course an extreme exxageration) and you get a bad reaction.
No, I am sorry. I actually know quite a bit about cameras, but since my lens is set on a particular setting, I don't have the ability to change the aperature of the lens... which is the part that confuses me because people have said many times on here about what settings they use on their lens... which i can not change on my lens.
I'm going to bow out of this conversation now. I'm sorry, but when you said that you don't know what the 'numbers on the end' of your lens mean, and that your lenses are permanently stuck on f/32, and yet you managed to shoot a wedding - no, something doesn't ring true here. You can't shoot a wedding at f/32. I'm sorry, it isn't possible. So either your lens is not stuck at f/32, or you don't know how to use your lens, or you're a troll doing a good job of baiting the hook. In any case, I wish you well and say goodbye now.
Did I say that I didn't know what equiptment I would need? I simply asked if I was missing something for starting up. Again, I am not starting this up in a week or a month... this is in a couple years down the road and i am presently working on a Buisness plan that is going to be worked on up until I am ready to open. And everything that was suggested was on my list with the exception of the quality of the camera because I wasn't sure of what the quality was for my digital camera since I am completely new to digital and the extra flash for on top of my camera, because I just hadn't thought about it... which is why I started this thread anyways.
And how is learning camera technique and style back to front? I have spent endless hours and days in the darkroom at the college and have been accepted to Grad school for a master in fine art, but decided I wanted to pursue this instead of a different goal. I thought this forum was to learn things from other people's expertise, I can't believe you guys can be so rude without knowing about me or the quality of my work.
I can't believe the reasoning of the apperature ring was the most essential thing for me to carry out with me in photo 1 since i had no reason to change it while learning the basics and getting comfortable. I thought it was the idea of how shutter and apperatures, developing times, use of lights, compositioning....etc. And as for changing my goals in life? No way. I am not going to change because some guys on a post misunderstood me and don't know the quality of my work or education put me down. There is a reason I am not starting my business tommorow, and its because I want to learn the details that i do not already know... you guys make it sound that I am starting up tommorow with the expertise of a person fidgiting with the camera for the first time. Did you guys only start to think about your photography goals after you already had all of your expertise? I would assume not, I am sure that you had dreams midway, after you realized that you were good at what you do even though more experience and techniques will help you reach those goals.
I know that some pro's use D70's as their backups, but I think you need a better camera. Now I'm the first to say that megapixels don't make the woman or man, but if you're blowing up your photos big, you want more room for error in terms of cropping than the d70 will give you. A d200 should do it, or better if you can get.
Yes, also you need to learn more about the techincal side. Weddings are a one shot event, if you muck it up, you don't get any more customers. Try volunteering as a second photographer for someone or assisting. How long in the future are you expecting to set up?
I agree with what Mr. Jones has to say. If you have to ask, you are not ready. However, it seems that you are only at the business planning stage...which means that you are smart enough to plan things out.
Perhaps, the first thing on your list should be education and experience. Another member here (MarkC) [*edit, there he is now*] uses the great analogy of flying a plane. Professional wedding photography is like flying a jumbo jet...but if you want to fly one of those...you usually start with a cessna and spend many, many hours (over years) working your way up.
Assisting a pro with weddings is usually recommended. This will introduce you to shooting weddings without the pressure and responsibility of being the hired pro.
Also, getting and using a light kit won't immediately make your shots great. Again, education and experience is the key.
I don't, in any way, mean to burst your bubble...by starting a business plan you are on the right track...just make sure you know what you are doing and what you are getting into. :D
Hello,
Get used to it Bill. This place seems to be the first port of call for all the idiot lazy wannabes out there, which is a shame. Still got that strip of gaffer tape?
Regards
Fuddy
I have a Nikon D-70 that came with a AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5G ED lens, and my other lens is Quantaray AF 70-300mm 1:4-5.6LD. I don't know what those numbers at the end mean... but my camera only works with the lens aperature at 32... does this make sense? I am not sure if i know what i am talking about. But i use both lens on my film and digital cameras. What would be considered a "good quality lens" or what is the difference between what i have and what you are meaning?
I haven't got to the buisness costs yet... i have bits and pieces of the costs, but i don't have them all organized.
I was thinking of getting a light kit that includes the lights and the stands.
May I very gently suggest that you need some education in the use of your cameras before you consider embarking on a career as a wedding photographer. I mean no disrespect, and you can get the information you seek on how your lenses work here, no doubt. But the fact that you're asking - not that it is wrong to ask - shows that you're really pretty new with cameras. Worrisome for a wedding photographer.
The wedding is a one-time event (for that couple anyway - usually). The important moments come and go in a blink of an eye, and are never repeated. Miss that 'money shot' of the kiss, and find out what it feels like to not be paid - or to be sued and lose your house.
Please reconsider this until you have some level of expertise - this is the single highest liability photography arena you could get into - meaning you have the most to lose from a legal liability standpoint. If you're not master of your equipment and have a firm footing as a photographer, my prediction is that you're going to have major problems, and possibly ruin someone's wedding memories in the process.
I mean this with total good will and no desire to hurt your feelings.
You will find the e-book on wedding photography here (http://www.camerahobby.com/learning_modules.htm) very useful.
Hello,
Get used to it Bill. This place seems to be the first port of call for all the idiot lazy wannabes out there, which is a shame. Still got that strip of gaffer tape?
Regards
Fuddy
You know too much, and must clearly be disposed of...
:lol: :lol: :lol:
For the OP. Your aperture ring is locked at minimum aperture so that the camera can control exposure automatically. Aperture is controled through the camera in your case, not through the aperture ring. You can unlock it if you like and use it on a camera that doesn't require a locked aperture ring to function. You are nowhere near ready to be professional photographer. Sorry. Why not keep your day job and spend a few years getting your feet wet?
It's good to ask questions and good to learn but, like the others, I think you should do more of that before trying to get paid for doing photography.
At this point I will also bow out.
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