With DSLR cameras getting more and more popular the gap between the casual and professional photographer seems to be getting smaller. As a result, it brings tons of new people into the photography profession every year, with most looking to find a niche and make a name for themselves within it. But this takes time, therefore many who are new to the business have to shoot a variety of pictures in order to make ends meet. They basically do what they have to do until they can do what they want to do, as many of us are familiar with. This could require a range of different jobs including weddings, sporting events, head shots, maternity or model portraits, wildlife portraits, newborn portraits, or any form of macro photography. These are just some of the work opportunities that may be open to a new photographer that might not want to take a job, yet might have to in order to survive for the time being. But its not as easy as taking any job you want, there is another variable in the equation. The kind of job you take as a photographer directly relates to the kind of equipment you have. It is quite foreign to those outside of the business that there is specialized and expensive equipment that is involved in getting certain photos. The majority of this is based around the kind of lens needed to get a desired shot. The problem is that in most cases this would require someone to make a several thousand dollar investment in order to take the job. For example, take the photos below.
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Photo left: by Paul Bertner
Photo right: Maxwell Rocha |
In order to create photos like this it would take an initial gear investment of $2,224. (for example the Canon 65mm macro, kenko extension tubes, focusing rails, and a Macro flash) All which can be found here at
B&H photo.
This doesnt even include the tripod that could be necessary for a job like this. And all for a job that might pay a few hundred bucks if you are lucky. The solution is to build a good relationship with a lens rental company and get the gear for a fraction of that. All of the gear mentioned can be rented for a 1 week period at around $106, from various rental houses on the web. This amounts to less than 5% of the total investment you would make if you purchased it for the job.
So my advice for newbies who aren't quite sure what niche of photography they want to get into, is to rent rent rent!! This will not only save you money and allow you to take a range of jobs, but it will give you time with specialized gear which you would have never received otherwise. Allowing you to actually make a profit from work rather than paying off credit cards used to buy your pricey new lens. Besides, who knows if you will be interested in taking pictures of insects again, or even have the opportunity to make money doing so on a regular basis after your initial gig.
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