Wedding/Portrait Photographers Kit?

Question

I'm in the process of drawing up business plans and expenditure plans for my own Photography Business. As such I will need a comprehensive equipment list to gain some funding. I would therefore like some ideas on such equipment I do have a reasonable budget but want to keep it as low cost as is possible but obviously keeping the quality. I have had some ideas but can't make my mind up and I find conflicting advice across the internet. I would like recommendations on everything especially lenses, it just seems a bit of a minefield out there. I will have no studio in my business' infant stages and want ideas on portable studio equipment. I currently have a canon 350D which I have been using for practice and I've been reasonably happy with but I completely understand and know that the quality is just not there and want something much better and more rugged that's not going to complain about me lugging it about here, there and everywhere. Thanks guys and gals for your help. Phil

Answer 1

the fuji s3 pro /s5pro body is the camera of choice for a lot of wedding /portrait photographers .
it uses 2 sensors for it`s 12 aprox meg pixels.
it is worth trying a dedicated macro lens for portraits.the narrow field of vision gives a nice `blurred ` background so the `face gets priority.
try the lenses at a camera shop ,you will see what i mean.hope this helps

Answer 2

Don't do it.
Don;t want to be a negative nancy, but there are loads of folk already doing it, for you to succeed then you must have either a gap in the market or a unique product. If you are on here asking advice about kit, then my guess is you aren't using enough, or reading enough magazines.

My best advice: Find somebody who is doing it already and see about getting an assistants position. You will learn a lot more about what you are getting into.

If you really enjoy photography as a hobby then the worst thing you can do is try to turn pro. Be prepared to hate photography very soon.

You have an okay body, a more robust camera wont really be worth the extra, as much as spending more money on lenses etc.

If you want the best value for money upgrade then get a canon 50mm f1.8 mk2 lens, you'll get it for £70 in Calumet brand new. This equates to an 80mm f1.8 lens in traditional 35mm terms, which is a brilliant flattering protrait perspective.

An extra flashgun would be a good idea, try and get at least a 430EX if buying new, or any EX sereis from the 380EX up second hand.

Make sure that any lenses you buy are Canon EF (NOT EF-S) or Sigma DG (not DC) as this will let you use them with better cameras in the future.

The worst thing you can do is go nuts with the cash.
Spend £200 on that 50mm lens and a used CANON BRANDED EX SERIES flashgun and you are on the right tracks.

You may read this as being very negative, I see it as being brutally honest. It's not easy work, and you will be up against folk who have been doing it for years.

If you want advice from an old master look up Derek Pye Photography on google.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I hope you get some experience first! Buying expensive gear without knowing how to use it or apply it to a given situation is a recipe for disaster.

I highly recommend that you apprentice/assist with a full-time professional wedding photographer to gain the experience and knowledge you need.

Now, if you just want gear recommendations, here goes:
1) Canon 5D body
2) Canon 24-105mm IS f/4 lens for general work.
3) Canon 85mm lens for portraits
4) for affordable portable studio lights, try alien bees.
5) a good flash meter
6) backdrop and backdrop stand

Answer 5

IMO if you have to ask what equipment to buy you aren't ready to go into business. Heed the advice of those who suggest a year or two as an apprentice to a professional photographer. Otherwise you're setting yourself up to fail - and those loans still have to be repaid.

Answer 6

Since you got the camera, the next step is to get an external flash. The pictures are not going to look professional until you get light coming from someplace other than your camera.

A telephoto lens would be nice too.

You're also going to have to invest in a suit/tux as you have to look nice at the weddings :-)