I love photography and its always been an interest of mine. I've been thinking a lot about how in the future I would really enjoy being a child/baby photographer. So, I emailed Sylvia Laughrin (the photographer that we used Fall '07). I asked her what I would need to get started and any tips, etc. I was thinking maybe I could save up over the year and then with some of next year's tax returns I would have some money to put into a photography business. She was very helpful with her information. However, I think this is a pricey business to start!
I would need:
1. a SLR camera (looking at at least $1,000 each - many are much much more)
2. Also, she mentioned a back-up SLR camera is also needed in case you are at a shoot and something happens (another $1,000).
3. Photo editing software and a computer to run the programs (she uses 4gigs of Ram on her Macbook Pro). She uses Photoshop CS3 and lightroom. Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom would be about $900.
4. Which #3 then means I would need a computer to run the programs on since we bought a basic MAC for home. A MACbook pro is about $2,000, more for desktop I believe.
5. Light modifiers (umbrella or softbox) - unsure of cost, but we seem to be in the $1000s here...
6. Sellers permit, etc, business insurance. I recently heard of a simply business ins policy being $1,000 a year, but when you want to insure your equipment - probably more.
7. Probably taking some photography classes would be necessary and helpful.... so tuition there as well.
So, we are looking at maybe $10,000 easily. So, if anyone is a millionaire reading my blog, please email me and I can let you know how to donate to the Jill fund. lol
No wonder professional photographs are expensive!!!
I would still love to do this! It would be something I would really really enjoy and something I could do for years and years. I would probably never retire from something like this. So, it may take me longer than a year to save up, but it would be a great goal.
Jason and I are also really trying to start to save to finish our basement as well. We have a very small house and this would be an easy way to make a lot more room in our house. Maybe I could make a little studio down there too??
We grow so fast. . .
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I LOVE photography as well! I am clicking left and right for everything.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a lot of money to start up! I wonder if you could just start with the basics and work your way up? I think you basically need a great eye and a good camera. Then as you get going you slowly get the rest of the stuff. We've been looking into getting the Canon Rebel soon and they aren't too expensive, it's just the lenses that start to get pricey. Photoshop is an essential though, you can really make a boring picture come alive in it!
ReplyDeleteHi Jill,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through Sylvia's blog one day, and started keeping up with your blog because I realized that our babies were born on the same day, same year! Though I only have one sweet little girl, not twins! I hope that doesn't freak you out that you don't know me and I've been reading your blog.
I finally got up the guts to comment because I am slowly starting my own child/family photography business, too (which is why I was checking out Sylvia's blog-- I like to learn from others)! Hope you can live out that dream, it's a good one! :)
Anyway, just wanted to "introduce" myself and also say that your twins are so sweet! If you want to stop by my blog, it is www.littleandstrong.blogspot.com because for some reason the link doesn't work.
Amy
Jill, I think you would do great with this! It is expensive, but like Joanna said, you could start small! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteJill-You certainly have the skills it takes! Then you will be able to take all of your own family pictures also.The $ seems sort of daunting right now, but a little at a time adds up. Love you!
ReplyDelete