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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> So, the 5DmkII or the 6D?
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Showing posts 26 - 34 of 34, (reverse)
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09/21/2012 11:31:35 AM · #26
Originally posted by Hikari:

I guess I can stop being anonymous photographically :)

//www.tesarphoto.com/


You've done very nice work so far I'm impressed. On the home page text, however, I have a comment. Two comments, actually:

Originally posted by Tesar:

...we have decided to embark on our own mission to fill this disparaging gap by providing professional-level portraits and event photography at fair prices.

1. "Disparage" means to put down, to denigrate. Do you mean "discouraging gap"?

2. I don't think it's a good idea to disparage other photographers by calling their prices unfair, which is basically what you're doing here. You may find, as you go on, that your "fair" prices leave too small a profit margin for you if the photography grows to the point where it becomes your full-time occupation. In a sense, your situation now is like a microcosm of that: you're trying to scrape together enough money, a few thousand dollars, to upgrade to a semi-professional camera body. Some of us would gently suggest that if it's that hard to make the transition, you're not putting a realistic value on your services :-)

But I'm sure y'all will work it out in the long run; you're doing very nice work.

Message edited by author 2012-09-21 12:46:50.
09/21/2012 12:01:16 PM · #27
Originally posted by Hikari:

I guess I can stop being anonymous photographically :)

//www.tesarphoto.com/


Some great work there. Really enjoyed browsing through.

I'd also echo Bear's thoughts about 'fair' prices. For a full time photographer you really have to factor in a huge amount. This is only my first year in wedding photography and i charge £800 ($1300) for a full days coverage which is pretty much at the lower end of professional prices. If you take into consideration an engagement shoot (included in price) a pre-wedding consultation or two, equipment, petrol, tax and insurance (professional indemnity and public liability) and a few days post-processing as well as the actual days shooting it doesn't end up being much. I did 12 weddings this year which is obviously not enough for myself and family to live on. My 5 year plan is to get up to 30-40 weddings a year which will hopefully be somewhere near a decent living wage. I think you might alienate some of your local full time photographers when really it's a good idea to be friends, and even work, with them. They might be handy as a back up if you have an emergency the night before a wedding for example-it's good to make connections like that.
09/21/2012 01:44:14 PM · #28
I agree with both of you on that point. That "bio" section of the site is the part that we typed up once and forgot about it. I'd also love to get it off the main page once I have time to move beyond smugmugs easy customizer. Until then, I'll make it a little friendlier.

Our prices are so competitive because this is still mostly a hobby. My wife and I both work full time and that is enough for all of our needs. We didn't want to charge much at all until we had time to save up for more competitive equipment and have our name be somewhat recognizable in our area. After that, our prices will shift accordingly determined by what kind of business we see coming our way.

Also, if you check out the Charlotte, NC craigslist for photographers, you might see some of our plight. There are many photographers in this area charging less than us who don't have much of a portfolio to show for it. I feel that we have a decent portfolio now, but there are others who've been in the business longer and are moving down to our price bracket to be competitive with those above them.

So we're trying to prove we're worth it to lower income customers while still being cheap enough to be an advantage over someone more seasoned charging just a bit more.
09/21/2012 02:38:16 PM · #29
Oh, i think your pricing is fine. I don't tend to agree with those photographers who complain about the lower priced photographers. I think there should be someone for whatever budget and not everyone can afford $2000 for their day. Before i decided to give it a go with weddings earlier this year i did loads of research and went on a wedding photography business course and pretty much everywhere was in agreement when it comes to pricing. You take your pricing from what you've worked out you need to live on and not from other local photographers. If the portfolio is good and the marketing and business planning is good then the custom will come whatever the price range. Your portfolio is great and i'm sure things will go well for you.
09/21/2012 02:52:06 PM · #30
Thanks!

That's what we're hoping for. If everything goes well the next year or two, I might be able to do photography full-time and be a stay at home dad for the rest...
09/21/2012 03:13:12 PM · #31
Originally posted by Hikari:

and be a stay at home dad for the rest...


That's the part i like at the moment. :) Although my daughter hasn't started school yet and i'll be giving up plenty of weekends in the future. I can pick her up in the week though.
09/25/2012 11:30:44 AM · #32
Originally posted by Hikari:

Also, lilysmom, I would recommend against the 7D if you shoot the same budget weddings that I keep finding myself at. The 85mm will be far more usable indoors at an equivalent range of 52mm on the crop sensor, and anything else will give you that much more reach to actually see the head and shoes of the bride and groom when you're crammed up at the front. Or get the 7D and love everything about this lens: //www.amazon.com/Sigma-30mm-Canon-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0007U0GZM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1348181789&sr=1-1&keywords=sigma+30mm+1.4+canon


I think you have that backwards. The 85mm on a full frame sensor will be a true 85mm, but on a crop sensor, it is about a 136mm.

So, last night in my ebay bidding, I ended up winning an original 5D for like $700. It comes with some things I don't want/need that I'll be able to sell, like a Canon 55-200mm lens and a off-brand flash. I'm hoping to be able to sell those things for $150 and end up with my first full-frame camera for $550. I know it's not (at all) the most up to date camera, but from what I read, it's still good.
09/25/2012 12:47:19 PM · #33
Originally posted by lilysmom:

Originally posted by Hikari:

Also, lilysmom, I would recommend against the 7D if you shoot the same budget weddings that I keep finding myself at. The 85mm will be far more usable indoors at an equivalent range of 52mm on the crop sensor, and anything else will give you that much more reach to actually see the head and shoes of the bride and groom when you're crammed up at the front. Or get the 7D and love everything about this lens: //www.amazon.com/Sigma-30mm-Canon-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0007U0GZM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1348181789&sr=1-1&keywords=sigma+30mm+1.4+canon


I think you have that backwards. The 85mm on a full frame sensor will be a true 85mm, but on a crop sensor, it is about a 136mm.

So, last night in my ebay bidding, I ended up winning an original 5D for like $700. It comes with some things I don't want/need that I'll be able to sell, like a Canon 55-200mm lens and a off-brand flash. I'm hoping to be able to sell those things for $150 and end up with my first full-frame camera for $550. I know it's not (at all) the most up to date camera, but from what I read, it's still good.


I think he meant the 85mm on FF is the equivalent of 52mm on the cropped sensor, which is true.

As far as the 5D goes, assuming it's in good shape you're gonna love it. It's a BIG step up in IQ.
09/25/2012 02:01:02 PM · #34
Canon 5D Mark II
"Never Ever: Rent, borrow or use this Camera, if you do, you will have to own it!"
~ LoL one of the best review I ever read, link here
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