Where to begin?

AlliB · Sep 25, 2012

Not really sure where to begin on here? I have a little point and shoot camera and love taking pictures.. so I am going to make it into my job. What camera does everyone love out there? I need something in the 700 to 900 dollar price range. I have heard the nikon d3200 is good but not really sure? I will be taking tons of pictures of little kids so I need something that takes many in a row in case they move before I can get it the first time. Also what is a good site to edit your work on?I am just starting out im kinda in a fog. What website do you all use to buy the pictures from? Thanks in advance for the help

Light Guru · Sep 25, 2012

AlliB said:
love taking pictures.. so I am going to make it into my job. What camera does everyone love out there? I need something in the 700 to 900 dollar price range.

On a $700-900 budget your not going to get enough to make photography your job. That's the low end price for one good lens and to make it your job you'll need several different good lenses and preferably 2 bodies (its best to have a backup)

AlliB said:
Also what is a good site to edit your work on?

You don't want to be editing your photos on a site you want to do that locally on your computer. Aperture or Lightroom are good for photo organization and basic editing but photoshop is probably going to be your power editor.

AlliB said:
I have a little point and shoot camera and love taking pictures.. so I am going to make it into my job.

I'm going to recommend really learning exposure, composition, lighting, etc etc etc before you try and make photography your job.

I hope I haven't offended you by being so blunt, but there are more then a lot of people out there who say they are photographers so if you plan on making it your job you need to be really good and know your stuff first.

Judobreaker · Sep 26, 2012

rokvi · Sep 26, 2012

Move over Judobreaker. :popcorn:

Designer · Sep 26, 2012

AlliB said:
Not really sure where to begin on here? I have a little point and shoot camera and love taking pictures.. so I am going to make it into my job. What camera does everyone love out there? I need something in the 700 to 900 dollar price range. I have heard the nikon d3200 is good but not really sure? I will be taking tons of pictures of little kids so I need something that takes many in a row in case they move before I can get it the first time. Also what is a good site to edit your work on?I am just starting out im kinda in a fog. What website do you all use to buy the pictures from? Thanks in advance for the help

It's usually best to begin at the beginning.

With your budget you can get the D-3200 with one lens and a few other accessories. That camera is considered an "entry level" DSLR, but it is lots better than the one you have now. I think you will like it, and it does have "burst mode".

You should also try to get a speedlight, so start saving up.

Unfortunately I don't know what website to recommend. Just try one and then another to see which one you like better.

Good luck!

MLeeK · Sep 26, 2012

Gimme some of that damn pop corn!

You don't go from a little old point and shoot to a professional photography business. It's just plain not that easy. You need to actually know what you are doing with the camera at least a LITTLE bit if you are going to make this a business. That doesn't mean I know how to press the shutter button. Photography is a whole lot more complicated than that.
Photography is the easy part to learn-we'll help you with that here. The business end of it? Not so easy.
Start here: http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...ning-business-building-house.html#post2707594

SnS · Sep 26, 2012

Keep in mind that I too am new to using a DSLR camera. I was in around the same price range as you are looking in. I ended up getting the Canon T4i. It is a fairly user friendly camera (even if the user doesn't really know what they're doing). I'm sure you realize that taking photos with a DSLR camera is much different than with a point and shot. There are many settings that have to be just right, or the shot is going to be off. Get one and read/experiment with it first. Have fun learning how to use it first. I'm having a blast taking shots, learning what each setting does and reading how to make it better. Then take it to the level of thinking about doing it for $$$. Please note, I'm in no way trying to bring you down or discourage you. As I stated earlier, I'm having a blast learning how to use my T4i.
:thumbup:

texkam · Sep 26, 2012

I am going to make it into my job.

The camera you choose should be the least of your worries. The business and legal side is much more important. You'll also need to keep Uncle Sam happy.

swiftparkour94 · Sep 26, 2012

AlliB said:
Not really sure where to begin on here? I have a little point and shoot camera and love taking pictures.. so I am going to make it into my job. What camera does everyone love out there? I need something in the 700 to 900 dollar price range. I have heard the nikon d3200 is good but not really sure? I will be taking tons of pictures of little kids so I need something that takes many in a row in case they move before I can get it the first time. Also what is a good site to edit your work on?I am just starting out im kinda in a fog. What website do you all use to buy the pictures from? Thanks in advance for the help

T2i body, save for a good prime/zoom lens and a good flash. All I gotta say

AlliB · Sep 26, 2012

Thanks guys! I do know sorta what im doing with a camera.. everyone LOVES my stuff when they see it. I used to photograph some events where I was a highschool volunteer. But it wasnt my camera that I was using. But thanks for telling me the truth about how to get started. I realize 700 to 900 bucks isnt much right now but its all I have.. i want to start with that and get a little bit of clients then get the "bigger and better".

Heitz · Sep 27, 2012

AlliB I'm sure we'd all love to see your pictures that everyone loves. You should post them here to share!

rokvi · Sep 27, 2012

swiftparkour94 said:
AlliB said:

Not really sure where to begin on here? I have a little point and shoot camera and love taking pictures.. so I am going to make it into my job. What camera does everyone love out there? I need something in the 700 to 900 dollar price range. I have heard the nikon d3200 is good but not really sure? I will be taking tons of pictures of little kids so I need something that takes many in a row in case they move before I can get it the first time. Also what is a good site to edit your work on?I am just starting out im kinda in a fog. What website do you all use to buy the pictures from? Thanks in advance for the help

Click to expand...

T2i body, save for a good prime/zoom lens and a good flash. All I gotta say

And voilà Instant photog!

Tuffythepug · Sep 27, 2012

No offense intended AlliB but you may be putting the cart before the horse here. Every few days there seems to be a post that goes something like this: '"I love taking pictures and everyone tells me they love my photos so I want to make photography my profession. I have X amount of money. What camera should I get ?"

I don't want to discourage you but at the same time you need to be aware of the realities involved here. So much of what your have posted points to the fact that you have much to learn about every aspect of becoming a professional photographer. It's very competitive and most folks who manage to make a bit of money at it have been honing their skills for years and years. It's good to have lofty goals and to have a dream but you need to be realistic. Post a few pictures here and subject them to real scrutiny to find out if they are anywhere near pro caliber. If you have not taken any classes to learn all aspects of photography and how to set up a business you need to do so as soon as you can. Start small and learn as you go. You have a decent shot at making it if you are willing to put in a lot of work and are willing to learn.

Good luck to you !