So you want to get into photography? Photography is one of the most in-demand skills on the planet, as every business needs professional photography on a constant basis.
And not only do businesses need to hire photographers to join their teams but consumers in nearly every market are always looking to hire photographers for things like wedding photos, senior portraits, or family pictures.
The market for photography is so big, that almost anyone who commits to this career path can build a stable income. But before you can do that, you need to invest in a camera.
So how do you choose a camera as an aspiring photographer? Keep reading below for tips on choosing the best camera without going broke.
Set a Realistic Budget
There are camera setups available for any type of budget. Of course, if you’re wanting to start getting paid to take photos, you need to reach a certain level of quality with your camera gear.
You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars upfront to get the nicest camera, just because other professional photographers you know have that kind of gear. You just need to get a basic setup, start making some money here and there, and use those funds to invest in better gear.
You can get a decent setup for $500 to $1,000 in the beginning. If you learn how to actually use that camera to take stunning photos, you can get really good results. After all, it’s not the camera that takes good photos. It’s all about the skills of the photographer.
Know What Type of Photos You Will Focus On
Like in any industry, there are different tools available for different jobs. A camera that works well for certain types of jobs won’t work as well for others.
So you need to know what type of work you are going to prioritize in the beginning in order to choose the best camera. For example, a landscape photographer who is trying to capture huge, detailed photos of expansive landscapes in varying lighting conditions might need one type of camera and lens set up.
But a photographer that offers engagement photos to couples who are preparing for their wedding day would need a different camera setup in order to take closeup portraits.
Of course, many cameras can multitask. But the lenses in particular are suited to certain styles of photography. If you only have money for one camera set up in the beginning, but for the style, you plan to focus on it first.
Choose a Brand
There are a bunch of household names in the camera world. Nikon and Canon are the two heavy hitters. But Sony is close behind, as are Fujifilm and Panasonic.
Typically, professional photographers choose one brand. All of their camera bodies and lenses are from that one brand so they work seamlessly together.
Plus, different camera bodies can capture colors differently, so you don’t really want to switch between a Nikon and a Sony on a daily basis.
As a beginner, it’s hard to know what brand will suit you best. You should talk to other photographers who are doing the type of work you want to do to find out which brand to start out with.
Save Money on a Body and Buy a Better Lens
Most photographers will tell you that it’s better to buy a cheap body and an expensive lens than it is to buy an expensive body and a cheap lens.
When it comes to the final quality of the photo, the lens has a much bigger impact on quality than the camera body does. So if you can only afford to splurge on one, make sure to choose the nicer lens.
Once you get a little bit of money coming in, you can upgrade your camera body.
Identify the Basic Camera Set Up From Your Chosen Brand
Once it’s time to buy, you need to know what specific camera options are available. Most photographers would agree that there’s a specific camera from each brand that represents the lowest quality you should use as a professional photographer.
So if you’re shopping for a Nikon, for example, the D3500 is probably the cheapest you should buy if you want to make money with your photography. These retail new for about $650, though you can likely find used ones for much less. Or, if you can wait until black Friday, you can get some serious savings as well.
As far as beginner lenses go, it depends on your focus on photography. A 35mm prime lens would be great for landscape and street photography. But a 50mm lens is an all-around good lens for both portraits and landscapes.
If you strictly do portraits, consider an 85mm or 135mm.
The First Camera Is the Hardest to Buy
Buying a camera is hard. There are so many things to consider, so many brands to compare, and so many models to choose from. Your first camera will be the hardest to purchase.
But once you get going in photography and you get lots of practice, you’ll quickly figure out what your current setup is lacking and what you need to get to upgrade your photo quality.
Looking for more gear tips and tricks like this? Visit our blog now to keep reading.
