I decide to write this article because time to time I got emails about the equipment I used/use and how I start… so, to save time, I’ll just blog about this :)
Over 5 years ago I got my first camera. I didn’t know absolutely nothing about photography so, I had no clue about the differences. At that time, the camera worth about $1000 USD so, I thought if is expensive, is good. And as bigger look, as better the camera. Sounds familiar? :)))
When I came home from my first photoshoot, I told my husband “honey, I want to be a proffesional photographer”. His jaw drop because he knew what that means. Proffesional equipment is really expensive and what I wanted sounds like a 5 minute hobby. So, he told me this “if you want to be a proffesional photographer, you need to earn your equipment from your work. So, start doing photography in your spare time and all the money you’ll do from your sessions save them on an envelope and when you have enough you improve your equipment”. Kind of make sens what he told me so I start taking it seriously.
My first equipment was: camera body: Canon Rebel XTI, lens:Tamron 18-200 f 3.5 macro and a flash Speedlight 430 EX II. Everyone knows that you’ll never get the perfect photo straight from the camera so I had to start learning how to edit. And I use for years a particular book , ” The Adobe Photoshop CS3 Book for Digital Photographers” by Scott Kelby. Is ridiculous how many websites are for teaching photography. You just have to pick 1-2 and stay with it. If you start subscribing at too many, you might get confused specially if you’re a beginner.
Here is one of my weddings I photographed with this equipment: Wedding at Caye Chapel, Belize. Remember please, this was shoot after 1 year I start photography, but I kept it on my website as being one of my favorites all time.
I had all my money in an envelope and after over 2 years I upgrade my camera body to an Canon 50D and I also got a low light lens a Canon 50 mm f 1.8. This lens was really good, but also really fragile. In time, I upgraded to a Canon 50mm, f 1.4 and I still have this. As the pro equipment, once you know your photography, is all about the taste and needs.
In 2012 I replaced my Canon 50D with another Canon 5D Mark II.
I still used as my fav lens 70-200.
2013 bring be a new Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 85mm 1.2. My new favourite combination by far. The 85 mm is just amazing for portraits and evening.
My favourite lenses Canon 70-200 mm f2.8 & Canon 85 mm, 1.2. I use those in almost everything I do. Of course, I do have other lenses, but those are the main ones. My memory cards are 8GB only, not bigger. Why? In case something is going wrong, I’ll loose only a part of the event, not everything. Memory cards are electronics and you can’t relly 100% on them.
Later in time, I tried to improve my technique every day. We have a family business so my husband allow me the time to dedicate for photography. First years, I spent 10-14 hours every day studding online.
I also shoot a limited events/month. I want to enjoy it when I’m doing it, not to be stress out and do it because I have to. I consider photography a hobby but is also a job I love & enjoy. Otherwise, I can’t do it.
The one thing you need to have in your mind is that not the camera is nr. 1 asset for your photos. Is your eye and mind. This is what is making a difference between you and others!
There is a huge difference between a click and a photo and you have to know this! Last thing I do to get a photo is the click. Before that click, I spend time to know my clients, chat with them, find about their life, what they like, what they don’t, I meet them before my photoshoots to know them personally, I adjust each photoshoot after my client personality. I do work after a workflow, and I like to be organized in my work. Everyone is different, and each photo is different. I use the light as best I can, because light is nr.1 “trick” in photography. Get to know the light and you know 50% already. The last thing I do is click. Than, I post process the photos as natural possible.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask here.
(blog updated march 2013)
