annalise_clark Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 I am an amatear photographer who would like to turn professional in the next few years. I was wondering if anyone knows of a list (in a book or on a website) of equipment I would need in order to start a photography business. I want to start saving and buying in the next year. Thanks for any help,Ann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_levine Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 Id worry about finding clients first,equipment second.What kind of photography business you are starting will dictate the gear choices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank uhlig Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 Can you explain what kind of professional photographer you want to become: sports, fashion, insurance, advertising, catalogue, news, police, weddings, architecture, medical, .... I am sure you would need quite different equipment for any of these sides of the job. Alright, the ball is in your court, Ann! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brady_dillsworth Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 How do you want to shoot? Are you looking to do studio portraits, fine art, weddings, products, groups of people, commercial, editorial, nature? Do you see yourself working in a studio with backdrops, and lights, and overhead costs, or as a journalistic shooter with a few bodies and sharp lenses working for the press? Each job will have different requirements for equipment. I don't know of any book or website that offers that list. Brady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_ Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 Find a small business course in your area: the topic should cover creating a busines plan. You should have an idea of what type of photography (as noted in the prior posts) you wish to do. One example, sports and team photos -- you could get by with a 35-70mm lens, a flash unit, and a film body. And maybe a 180mm lens for on-the-field action shots. But you have to have a bit of 'salesmanship' in your manner and offer the customers something they need for their support (and to spend their money on.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_k1664875007 Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 Only book I know that comes close to your request is Micheal Langford's 'Professional Photography', the third part of a series of books he a.o. has written on photography. As it was written from a UK perspective and is by now in some aspects dated (well before the digital era) it does not have the gripping style of similar US written books. He just goes into the daily ins and outs of setting up a studio, and starting from theoretical jobs, gives IMO a pretty accurate indication how certain jobs put certain demands on the equipment to use, things to organise and matters to think about. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_levine Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 It is almost a given that digital will be in most pros future.At the present time,I would suggest a used medium format system for portrait work.Trying to make wall size prints from 35MM negs is a losing proposition.Before scanning and photoshop,it was impossible to retouch 35mm negs.This obviously is no longer an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen hazelton Posted February 8, 2004 Share Posted February 8, 2004 Just buy the equipment when you see the need for it. If you don't know what it is, you don't need it. Be cautious of buying things now because you might need them later. Photography is changing to digital. A lot of film gear is falling in price, digital gets outdated quickly, and you don't want to invest in something that's obsolete by the time you need it. I suppose you could start a photography business with an oatmeal carton. I suppose you could own every piece of gear Hasselblad makes and never make a penny, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted February 8, 2004 Share Posted February 8, 2004 1.) a very large amount of money in the bank. 2.) Membership in PPA, APA, or ASMP. For the educational programs and the insurance packages. 3.) take some courses in marketing 4.) determining just what sort of work you want to pursue and figuring out what the real market is for that type of work in your area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jochen_S Posted February 8, 2004 Share Posted February 8, 2004 To Jack of all trades: DSLR & 35mm set, about 2 bodys each, fast zooms, backup, primes, at least 14 - 300mm, flashes, studio, strobes, seamless, rail system, MF: 2 bodys, 4 lenses, enough magazines, maybe some backup, LF: 4x5, 3-5 lenses, backup? darkroom, computers: maybe 2 notebooks, 1 desktop, 2 printers. Polaroid Miniportrait? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annalise_clark Posted February 8, 2004 Author Share Posted February 8, 2004 I appriciate all of your responses. I realize now that my question was not specific enough. I would like to do portraits in a studio and also event photography like weddings. I have heard from alot of people that taking a business class is very important. Thank you for all your help, Ann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee_brand Posted February 11, 2004 Share Posted February 11, 2004 Hi. It has been said that you will really make it if you are 75% businesswoman and 25% photographer? I just sort of got started with commercial stuff and I bought kit as I went along. For portraits you need 1 and then 2 studio flashes, flash meter, then some reflectors etc etc. I would never suggest that you go and buy all the stuff that you might need in one bash. As you work the thing you soon get to figure out what you really need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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