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For Photographers: What kind of equipment do you need?
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It has been a while since I posted a "for photographers" post, so I thought I would do so before I head out of town for the weekend. I am often asked about equipment.
Hope asked the following...
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"I am just beginning my photography business. Have done five weddings and a handful of on location portraits. I have been compared in my work to a veteran in our small town of Thomasville, however I don´t charge his prices. I am unsure really how to market myself. I do not yet have an SLR and am trying to save. Before trying to market myself to higher end clientele should I save for better equipment? The photography I have produced has been good and I have some beautiful shots. I am perplexed. Is my passion, eye, and creative flair enough to cater to all clientele without worrying about what camera I have as of yet?"
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First, it sounds like you are off to a good start. Passion, eye, and creative flair are great - but you definitely owe it to your clients to have proper equipment. You don't have to have the most expensive equipment to produce good photos - but you do need to have the basics. Weddings are (hopefully) a once-in-a-lifetime event for the couple, and you should not take a chance on ruining it because of lack of equipment.
Cameras: You definitely need an SLR camera. In fact, you need two before you photograph a wedding. Cameras malfunction, and all wedding photographers should be prepared for that in case it happens in the middle of a wedding.
A good camera offers creativity and control. Without it, you are depending on your camera to make all of the decisions for you. A good photographer knows how (and has the proper equipment to allow them) to make adjustments as needed.
When shopping for a camera, all megapixels are not created equally. :D Look for a camera with a large image sensor for higher quality images. I shoot with a Canon 5D. Can you get by with a less expensive camera - absolutely. I started off with Canon 20Ds and 30Ds. But...as I moved up in price range...my clients deserved more.
Lenses: Purchasing a good camera is just a good starting point. Your lenses will set you apart. Cheap lenses are usually worthless in low light situations. Invest in good lenses as you can afford them rather than starting off with a larger collection of poor quality lenses.
I use:
1. 70-200 2.8 IS lens: I prefer to be unobtrusive when possible, and this lens allows me to do so. I always use it when couples see each other before the wedding, during the ceremony, and at the reception when I don't want people to be aware that I am photographing them. I also love the bokeh I get with it!
2. Canon 24-70 2.8L: This is my most "vanilla" lens so I don't enjoy using it much, but it is my most versatile lens. I could shoot an entire wedding with it if I had to.
3. Canon 85mm 1.8: This is my very favorite portrait lens. It produces nice, crispy images with great bokeh.
4. Canon 24mm 1.4L: This is my newest lens, and I love it. It is a great wide angle lens that I use when I want to get up close and personal or provide a more interesting perspective.
5. Canon 15mm 2.8: I love my fisheye lens, but I don't use it often. I pull it out a few times at a wedding to get a few fun and unique images.
6. Canon 100mm 2.8: This macro lens is awesome for many purposes - but I love it for killer ring shots.
7. Canon 50mm 1.4: I don't use this lens as much as the others, but I love it. I probably use it most for details.
8. Lensbaby Composer: This is a fun lens. It is like the fisheye lens in that I don't use it a lot - but you can do some cool things with it in the right place.
So...a photographer with $10,000+ in just cameras and lenses is clearly going to charge more than a photographer with a camera and fixed lens that costs under $500. And likewise, clients who spend more expect more.
If you have any questions you would like me to answer feel free to post them below or send me an email.
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| 10 people commented on this post |
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I love summer. Love it.
I embrace the 90+ degree weather and wish it could last longer.
Yesterday Beth came over with Sally and Pierce and we went down to the river to let the kids splash and play around.
Pierce came decked out for a good time with his Davy Crockett hat, Georgia boots, and Old Betsy (his gun). Sally also had a perfect river hat complete with a new feather and a gun as well.
There was lots of splashing around and discovering going on.
And what would a hot summer day be without juicy watermelon?
Ahhhh....summer.
Just a few reason I love summer...
-warmth outside at night
-juicy red watermelon
-fresh veggies from the field
-lots of basil for homemade pesto
-spending lazy days in a pool
-skirts
-extra long days
-the smell of hot pavement after it rains
-bike rides
-running
What about you? Do you love summer?
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| 22 people commented on this post |
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SEE ALL THE IMAGES AND/OR PURCHASE PRINTS: PICTAGE LAB
SEE THE WEBSHOW: AUDREY'S SLIDESHOW
It has been a long time since I have had the opportunity to photograph a little baby. Weddings keep me so busy that I haven't been able to offer as many portrait sessions as I would like, but I plan to begin doing more.
Audrey was sleeping sweetly when I arrived.
Her pink and green room is so cute.
As she woke up, I'm sure Audrey was thinking, "Oh no! The paparazzi!" :D
Nick (a.k.a. Audrey's daddy) and I went to the same elementary school, and I don't think I had seen him since about fourth grade. Luckily he was able to come home from work, slip into some comfortable clothes, and hang out for a little while.
I love these...
When I do sessions with children, my goal is to capture what their environment and life is like. Rather than just see what they looked like posed, I like to provide a glimpse into their life that they can enjoy when they are older.
Allison and Nick enjoy relaxing on their bed talking to Audrey so that is where we started out.
Allison had the idea for this shot. I love it - it cracks me up.
A family shot in the living room...
Audrey has a closet full or beautiful clothes, and it was fun that she had a few wardrobe changes! :) I love the sideways look in the 2nd photo below - as if she is thinking, "Are you done yet?"
It was super hot and humid outside, but we found a little shady space in the backyard for a few photos...
Audrey is a smart little girl who is already plowing though books. lol
I couldn't believe how she stared at the pages and her mama and daddy read to her!
Look at those pretty eyes...
It was soon time for Nick to say goodbye and get ready to go back to work.
This is my favorite image of Allison and Audrey...
A few of beautiful Audrey by herself...
And her cute little feet...
And eyes and nose and lips and ears...
I love this totally girly shot of Allison's pearls and Audrey's pink slippers.
And I couldn't resist ending with this shot that says, "Alright lady - are you still here? I've had enough." :D
Thanks Allison and Nick for having me photograph Audrey. She is so cute and so sweet - I had a great time!
Keywords: Valdosta Thomasville Moultrie Childrens Portrait Photographer Photography
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| 7 people commented on this post |
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Contest!
Friday, June 20, 2008 | Main
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I have an update on my contest in case you read about it earlier this week.
Since I haven't done a contest like this before, I decided it would only be fair to open it up to clients prior to 2008 as well. So, here is the deal...
The contest is open to all former portrait and wedding clients. But - I only emailed my clients from the last six months. So...if you are reading this and you know a former client - please let them know about the contest.
What do you need to do to enter?
The only thing you need to do to enter is send me your favorite image. If you don't have time to pick one - I will be happy to choose one for you. Just send me an email and let me know that you would like me to do that for you.
How will the contest work?
On July 9th I will post one favorite image of each client who wishes to enter the contest. Visitors to my blog will be able to vote on their favorite image. You are allowed (and encouraged) to send all of your friends and family to the blog to vote for your image.
The image with the most votes will be determined on July 17th at noon.
What does the winner recieve?
The winner will receive a night stay at the fabulous, new Ocean Lodge on St. Simons Island, Georgia. If you don't know about it - please visit their website or visit my blog post about Ocean Lodge. You will not want to miss out on this - the place is extravagant and wonderful!
Keywords: Ocean Lodge St Simons Island Georgia Photographer Photogoraphy Photographers Wedding Portrait
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| 2 people commented on this post |
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SEE THE WEBSHOW: KAY AND BOBBY'S SLIDESHOW
VIEW ALL IMAGES OR PURCHASE PRINTS: PICTAGE LAB
I spent last weekend in Virginia at Berry Hill Plantation Resort. I flew into Richmond and then rented a car and drove two hours through the winding country side. I wasn't exactly sure where I was going to end up going that far out, but I was pleasantly surprised upon my arrival! The accommodations were great, and I had a very relaxing stay.
Kay and Bobby were married on the front lawn of the mansion.
It was a sweltering summer day, and the air conditioning was not working in Kay's first dressing room. After a quick move to a room upstairs in the mansion, all the girls settled in to get ready. The new room was even bigger so everything worked out fine. It is always fun to see the bride's dress...
I loved her white bouquet...
All of the rooms at the inn have these fun, old fashioned clocks. Thank goodness they also had automated wake up calls because I wasn't exactly sure the alarm on this kind would get me to the airport in time! lol
The countdown was on - it was 4:15 and the ceremony was only an hour and fifteen minutes away!
Kay's twin sister Kim applied her makeup. I met Kim about two years ago when we were both living in Charleston. Kim already had a wedding photographer for her wedding in Virginia, but she called me to do engagement photos for her and her (now) husband Brandon. I book most of my weddings through word of mouth, and I always appreciate the referrals because I am happy to travel anywhere!
(By the way - you can see Kim and Brandon's engagement photos on my old blog.)
Kay's mom tied ribbons on a few fans so that the guests could keep cool...
Kim and Anne (Kay's other sister) helped her slip into her wedding dress...
...and shoes.
Next, we headed downstairs to meet Bobby. On the way out, we took a few quick portraits of Kay. She looked fabulous.
As almost all of my clients do, Kay and Bobby saw each other before the ceremony. I love her expression when he first saw her.
We were able to get a few quick portraits before the ceremony.
Gunnar was so cute with his "Here Comes the Bride" banner!
Just as the ceremony was beginning, black clouds rolled in and thunder could be hurt in the distance. The wind picked up, and we wondered if everyone would be soaked before the ceremony was over.
Fortunately the rain held off until just as we were leaving for the reception.
The reception was held downtown (South Boston) at the Prizery. The pink and red color scheme was so much fun!
The first dance...
Everyone gathered around to watch a slideshow featuring Kay and Bobby. I love how these little girls enjoyed it so much.
Grandparents...
There were lots of great dance moves. This couple danced all night.
But let me tell you - Kay and her sister have a complete arsenal of dance moves - they really know how to get down! It was so much fun watching them dance.
I'm so glad I was finally able to photograph a Bowen wedding. It was a pleasure to meet the other Bowen sisters and your families!
Keywords: The Prizery Berry Hill Plantation Resort Wedding Photographer Photographers South Boston Virginia
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| 6 people commented on this post |
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