Well then, come on in, my friend. Grab some coffee and a scone. Stay awhile.
I am a freelance photographer (currently on hiatus) and with a husband in grad school for the past few years and trying to survive on a meager PR income, I know a thing or two about getting high-quality photos on a budget. Now more than ever, having high-quality, original, and easily shareable photos on a blog is so important to increasing traffic and keeping readers engaged, especially ensuring they're good enough to grace other sites with higher standards and large followings like DwellingGawker and Tastespotting.
What a lot of newer bloggers don't know is that you don't have to purchase a ton of brand spankin' new/ expensive equipment right off the bat and sink yourself into a hole of debt. Because anyone who knows anything about photography knows that it's a hobby/profession that can get expensive quite quickly.
What a lot of newer bloggers don't know is that you don't have to purchase a ton of brand spankin' new/ expensive equipment right off the bat and sink yourself into a hole of debt. Because anyone who knows anything about photography knows that it's a hobby/profession that can get expensive quite quickly.
**Please note this post is strictly about photo equipment only - in future posts I'll cover tips and tricks when it comes to actually using your camera. Just want to get that out of the way so we're clear. :)**
From someone who has certainly been there, here's what I'd suggest:
- Purchase or rent a middle-of-the-line DSLR camera body. Ones I'd recommend for beginners are the Nikon D5100
, Nikon D90
, Canon EOS 60D
and Canon EOS Rebel T5
. I know others who have had luck with Sony and Pentax, but since I don't personally have any experience with them I would read reviews carefully before choosing one from those brands. For reference, I have a Nikon D5000
that I bought gently used several years ago, and it's been serving me well ever since. I have had the best luck finding a camera body online as opposed to brick-and-mortar stores, but I would recommend going to a local camera store and trying the bodies out in-person before purchasing to determine which one would work best for you.
- Purchase an inexpensive tripod. Many newer bloggers haven't (yet) trained themselves to hold the camera to allow for maximum stillness and focus - that's where a tripod comes in. Most blog images center around something that's stationary anyway (like food, fabric, furniture, etc.) so having a tripod will ensure your photos come out crisp every time. Look for one on Amazon and find one that's middle-of-the-line (like this one
) that can work for the time being (typically between $20-$60). Craigslist is also a good source for inexpensive tripods.
- Purchase at least one prime lens that doesn't break the bank. Sure, the camera will likely come with a zoom kit lens, which you can conceivably use right away, but to be honest it's frustrating to get the caliber of photos you want with them. Having one nice and reasonably-priced prime lens available at your disposal helps a lot. I'd recommend the 50mm f/1.4
for larger spaces and detail shots (runs about $400), and the 35mm f/1.8
(cheaper - around $150) or 24 mm 1.4/f (much more expensive - trust me, you don't want to know or you'll cry) for smaller spaces.
- When special needs come up that require a different focal length or a flash, rent it. Folks, this is a HUGE money-saver right here. I can't even begin to tell you how much I've saved by renting lenses and/or lighting equipment that normally would cost thousands of dollars. Granted, as with anything you rent you have to be very careful with them to ensure you don't have to pay a penalty - some would suggest getting insurance to protect yourself, but I wouldn't go that far if you're just starting out and not using the equipment heavily. This is also a great way to try out different lenses, flashes and even camera bodies that you may be thinking about investing in down the road.
There are quite a few places you can purchase or rent photo equipment, and here are a few I recommend:
- Amazon.com - This is the place to go for used or new and reasonably-priced equipment. I have bought my camera, two of my lenses and some lighting equipment off of Amazon and had a good experience with my purchases - plus, I saved a boatload of $$$!
- BorrowLenses.com - I've rented from them in the past and it's worked out rather well. Their prices are reasonable and you can set exactly how many days you need to rent it for, which is really nice. The only downside is that you have to pay for shipping, which can get a little pricey, but if you live in an area they have a location you can also arrange for pick-up to avoid that extra cost.
- Dodd Camera (for those in the Chicago/Cincinnati areas) - I've also rented from them in the past and had good experiences with them. Downside is that you must pick-up equipment from the location that's closest to you - there is no shipping option. Upside is that their prices are quite reasonable, plus they have a deal where you can pay a one-day rental fee if you need a piece of equipment for the weekend. That's definitely come in handy on more than one occasion!
- Adorama - I haven't purchased anything from this site (yet), but a lot of other pro photographers rave about it so I figure I'd include it. They have good sales from time to time, and they have a rather large inventory and great reviews from pros who work with them, so it might be worth checking out.
Okay, I'm going to stop now, otherwise this post will be a mile long. Hopefully this is helpful to some of you! If any of you have any suggestions/tips on photo equipment, please share!
*If you make a purchase through a link on this site, I will receive a small commission.*
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