What Level of Equipment Is Necessary to Be a Professional Photographer Today?

Professional photography is an increasingly tough field to break into, as digital camera technology and photo editing software can dramatically improve even a mediocre photographer's work. Additionally, photography is an equipment intense hobby. To make the transition from an amateur to a professional photographer you may need to make some considerable purchases to build up your studio. Besides the basics such as cameras, lenses and tripods, there are many other elements that make up a professional photographer's arsenal.

Having at least two digital camera bodies is extremely helpful when setting up your professional studio. Electronic equipment can break or malfunction, so it is always wise to have a backup. If you have set up more than one studio space, it is handy to have a camera for each backdrop to eliminate having to move equipment from room to room. It also allows for assistants to shoot simultaneously with you. When shopping for your digital cameras, buy the best cameras that you can afford. Look for digital cameras with 12 MP sensors or higher. The Nikon D300 and Canon 7D are excellent professional cameras.

Most digital camera bodies come with the option of adding to the lens kit. The lens kit generally consists of an 18-55mm lens, which is a good start. However, you will need multiple lenses to get the shots that you want. Consider purchasing a few additional prime lenses such as an 85mm f/1.2 for portraits and a 100mm f/2.8 for closeups and macro photography. Landscape photographers will need a telephoto lens of 200mm or greater.

Backdrops are especially important for studio photographers. They will be used in nearly every photograph you take. A professional photographer should have a variety of backdrops to fit multiple subjects or people. Start your backdrop collection with two or three solid color muslin backdrops and grow it with a couple of patterned or photo backdrops.

Lighting is a key element in making professional photographs. Professional photographers usually work with a minimum of two light sources. Typically, those light sources are soft boxes. A soft box is a staple of any photography studio. Two soft boxes are considered an absolute minimum; having three or four soft boxes available to work with is considered ideal. Remember, for every light source you have you will also need to purchase a light stand to hold it. Consider keeping a couple of extra light stands, as well, as they are often used for other purposes such as holding up backdrops.

Having a powerful computer that runs Adobe Photoshop or an equivalent photo editor has also become a necessity of setting up a professional photography company. The popular photo editing software can make quick work of perfecting a photograph and is considered a piece of gear just as much as the camera itself.

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