Photography Business Advice

[Kerbouchard]

I'm actually pretty impressed with the OP. It's a welcome change to see a 'start-up' photographer that actually has somewhat of a plan and actually plans on paying taxes.

As far as the printer, if I were you, I would hold off on it for now. I don't know what type of 'event' you are going to be setting up at, but I do know that if I am going to purchase something, especially something that can be bent or messed up at an event with 30,000 other people, I typically plan to do it right before I leave, and about 90% of the time, I don't get back to it.

I would try digital fulfillment at first...things like instant uploads to their facebook or google plus, a CD, and an option for print's shipped to their address.

Until you know what kind of interest there will be in your service, I would probably hesitate on large purchases like a professional printer.

 

[MLeeK]

If she didn't want to be helpful, she didn't need to respond. She chose to and I responded back.

Excuse me? I think I did ATTEMPT to give you some help in the list of things I added to yours as well as asking for clarification on your printer needs and explaining why. You have issues.

 

[Sammie_Lou]

Am I the only one who is confused about a professional photography business being started with a T2i?? I'm surprised that one hasn't been pointed out yet...

 

[Kerbouchard]

Am I the only one who is confused about a professional photography business being started with a T2i?? I'm surprised that one hasn't been pointed out yet...

In a studio environment, set up, posing, and lighting are all more important than the type of camera used. A P&S would work fine in a studio environment.

The only time camera body is really a factor is in challenging lighting conditions or fast paced action. A studio photographer shouldn't be facing either of those.

 

[Sammie_Lou]

My thought was more along the lines of the lifespan of the camera. If he's getting 100's of people each day they're open and assuming that more than one photo is being taken in each session....just seems like the camera wouldn't last very long.

 

[BlairWright]

I didn't read every single post here so I will assume some of this has been covered. I am not sure where the 2 grand figure comes in but here is my take

Insurance alone will run you a grand, at least it would around here. You need to be really careful when dealing with people's kids, a couple million dollar lawsuit from a light falling on a kid would not be out of the realm of possibility.

You will need a printer, I seriously doubt that Mall people will wait. That's another grand.

Printer paper/replacement ink cartridges - $500.00

Light stands/Sand Bags/Decent lighting - $1500.00 minimum

I would advise against using hot lights around kids, your begging for a lawsuit if you do. Same goes for any home built stands..

Sounds like a fun project, good luck

 

[etnad0]

I didn't read every single post here so I will assume some of this has been covered. I am not sure where the 2 grand figure comes in but here is my take

Insurance alone will run you a grand, at least it would around here. You need to be really careful when dealing with people's kids, a couple million dollar lawsuit from a light falling on a kid would not be out of the realm of possibility.

Thanks for the response. Insurance around here for $1,000,000 coverage is pretty cheap here in Las Vegas. I'm on the church board and I think we pay less than $200/month for the coverage.

You will need a printer, I seriously doubt that Mall people will wait. That's another grand.
Printer paper/replacement ink cartridges - $500.00

Printer has been covered and thanks again. Do you have a suggestion on a specific printer?

Light stands/Sand Bags/Decent lighting - $1500.00 minimum

I have lights and sand bags already.

I would advise against using hot lights around kids, your begging for a lawsuit if you do. Same goes for any home built stands.

Definitely won't be using any home made stands. We are considering LED lights for the very reason you stated. We were going to do it for video, but procrastinated and never did it. Now I guess we have incentive.

Sounds like a fun project, good luck

Thanks

 

[etnad0]

Am I the only one who is confused about a professional photography business being started with a T2i?? I'm surprised that one hasn't been pointed out yet...

Since the T2i has the exact same sensor as the 7D, I assume it's more than capable. The 7d is a $2,500 camera. Check out the tests on YouTube and other sites, then check the specs. Same stuff on the inside.

 

[etnad0]

My thought was more along the lines of the lifespan of the camera. If he's getting 100's of people each day they're open and assuming that more than one photo is being taken in each session....just seems like the camera wouldn't last very long.

Rated for 250k shots.

 

[KmH]

Say what? Where does Canon say the T2i is rated for 250K shots? Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : EOS Rebel T2i EF-S 18-55IS II Kit

Professional grade Canon cameras, $7000-$5000, are rated for 300,000 shutter actuations.
The $2600 5D MKII and $1700 7D are only rated for 150,000 shutter actuations.

The T2i is an entry-level, consumer grade camera, and not even their best entry-level camera.

Though the 7D and T2i share an image sensor the T2i has has a lower quality AA/low pass filter and only 1 DIGIC image processor, while the 7D has 2 DIGIC image processors.

 

[MLeeK]

My thought was more along the lines of the lifespan of the camera. If he's getting 100's of people each day they're open and assuming that more than one photo is being taken in each session....just seems like the camera wouldn't last very long.

Rated for 250k shots.

Um... NO.
Although Canon has not OFFICIALLY said much on the shutter life of the T2i, it's expected to be somewhere between 78K and 100K

 

[etnad0]

Say what? Where does Canon say the T2i is rated for 250K shots? Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : EOS Rebel T2i EF-S 18-55IS II Kit

Professional grade Canon cameras, $7000-$5000, are rated for 300,000 shutter actuations.
The $2600 5D MKII and $1700 7D are only rated for 150,000 shutter actuations.

The T2i is an entry-level, consumer grade camera, and not even their best entry-level camera.

Though the 7D and T2i share an image sensor the T2i has has a lower quality AA/low pass filter and only 1 DIGIC image processor, while the 7D has 2 DIGIC image processors.

You are correct, but I don't think my customer base is looking for a price tag or magazine quality photos. As far as the 250k I was on another forum where I read it, but either way, what difference does it make even if it's 100k I plan to buy a back up long before I take that many shots. I may even upgrade to something more expensive. I find it odd that people on a photo forum always say it's the experience of the person taking the pictures and not the equipment that leads to great photos, but then when someone asks about business, then suddenly the equipment is an issue.

I did indeed ask for equipment suggestions but it seems like some people would rather do everything except suggest anything at all. I've learned in life that people with more experience like to hear themselves talk more than they actually like to make positive contributions to the conversation. Since nobody here has any actual suggestions for a printer, I'll figure it out on my own. Forget I asked.

 

[etnad0]

I'm actually pretty impressed with the OP. It's a welcome change to see a 'start-up' photographer that actually has somewhat of a plan and actually plans on paying taxes.

Thank you. I appreciate the compliment. I suspect that even if I was already in the photo business making money, there would be some people that would have something negative to say about it.

As far as the printer, if I were you, I would hold off on it for now. I don't know what type of 'event' you are going to be setting up at, but I do know that if I am going to purchase something, especially something that can be bent or messed up at an event with 30,000 other people, I typically plan to do it right before I leave, and about 90% of the time, I don't get back to it.

I would try digital fulfillment at first...things like instant uploads to their facebook or google plus, a CD, and an option for print's shipped to their address.

Until you know what kind of interest there will be in your service, I would probably hesitate on large purchases like a professional printer.

Thank you very much. We were definitely going to do digital fulfillment because it seemed the most cost effective. I was dabbling with the photo idea, but you made a good point. What we are setting up actually isn't an event. It's a permanent location here in the city that gets 30k+ visitors every weekend. During Christmas season over 100k, 99% locals.

I think I'll take your advice and start with digital. If enough people start asking for prints I'll get a printer. In the meantime I'll start doing some more research to see what's out there. Thanks again.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Yes the OP seems pretty prepared for what he is trying to do although his first post wasn't very clear. What he wasn't prepared for was everyone jumping him as we tend to do here :lmao:

So anyway. Home printers do not belong in pro retail studios/businesses, once again, because of the lifespan of the prints. Here is an example of the least quality I would get for your purpose:
Fujifilm ASK-4000 Dye Sublimation Thermal Photo 600006725 B&H

In this case you are limited to 8x12 as the largest size so you may need something allowing bigger prints along with this one. But it is just an example to give you an idea of what you need. Remeber though that a single larger printer might not be cost effective if you run mostly smaller prints. Two printers may be the better way to go.

Another thought which would allow you to get a better printer and maybe make some extra money on the side, if there isn't one already in this location, is to install a printing station that customers can use to print their own shots off their memory cards...

 

[etnad0]

Yes the OP seems pretty prepared for what he is trying to do although his first post wasn't very clear. What he wasn't prepared for was everyone jumping him as we tend to do here :lmao:

LOL. I wasn't expecting it but I can handle it, but i don't think some of the people here were prepared for a "noob" that can be just as much of a d*** as some of them. A lot of people don't get sarcasm and it doesn't always come through online, but oh well. I do agree that my first post could have been a lot clearer.

So anyway. Home printers do not belong in pro retail studios/businesses, once again, because of the lifespan of the prints. Here is an example of the least quality I would get for your purpose:
Fujifilm ASK-4000 Dye Sublimation Thermal Photo 600006725 B&H

The home printer thing was another one of my sarcastic remarks to the question of whether I needed a paper printer or a photo printer. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into it, but I find B&H to be a little high priced lots of the time. Not even sure why people shop there when other people sell the same stuff cheaper. I can understand in person if there is great customer service, but not online. Sometimes I find items for hundreds of dollars less than what B&H offers for the same item.

In this case you are limited to 8x12 as the largest size so you may need something allowing bigger prints along with this one. But it is just an example to give you an idea of what you need. Remember though that a single larger printer might not be cost effective if you run mostly smaller prints. Two printers may be the better way to go.

We were thinking of doing the wallet sizes and 4x6. What would you suggest for doing those?

Another thought which would allow you to get a better printer and maybe make some extra money on the side, if there isn't one already in this location, is to install a printing station that customers can use to print their own shots off their memory cards...

That's a great idea, unfortunately, there isn't one. That's something I'll definitely look into in the future.