feleekshia Loc: Oahu, Hawaii

I am getting a divorce after being married to an Air Force fireman for 7 years. Packed up suitcases & my 11 yr old daughter & I left. Moved from Hickam AFB Hawaii to AZ & currently living with my mom. I have a Nikon D5100 & the kit lens that came with it. I really could use some extra $ & would love to start doing photography here. I need a better lens to do portrait shots. I dont have much money to spend on equipment. Anyone willing to give me a great deal or help out in any way would be great! Advice on lenses etc.....
THANK YOU!

busted_shutter

When you say kit lens...which lens? Not going to assume, but will hypothesize that it's probably an 18-55. What subject do you like...scenics, animal/wildlife, portraiture? Addendum~ sorry...I missed you wanting to do portraiture.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

Actually, since money is tight you can start doing portraits with your kit lens at 50+mm until you can afford to get something in the range of 75mm. Many users on here will tell you they use 50mm for portraits. It's not my favorite personally but it works.

1stJedi Loc: Southern Orange County

I both agree and disagree. I agree that a 50mm lens (in my case a Canon 50mm f/1.4) has helped me create some STUNNING portraits, and in fact, I know several professional portrait makers that use a 50mm almost exclusively. I disagree that you need something in the 75mm range for portraits.

I have also created some stunning portraits with a 70-200 L series lens at all focal lengths. The point I'm making here is, in my opinion, it is more about the nut behind the camera than it is about the particular lens you have to work with.

Having said that, I also think you might want to invest a bit of time in learning about light and how it relates to portrait work, and certainly focus some attention to settings, backdrops, and potentially even the occasional elegant prop. My knee-jerk reaction to your request would be for you to consider beginning with new born, and new mama/papa portraits using your current equipment and maybe a fistful of home-made lights, a couple of nice blankets or soft sheets and a creative imagination. You may surprise yourself with what you create . . . including some very nice new friends. Upgrade your equipment as your funds improve, so once more we are basically in agreement.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Well feleekshia, I suggest one of two things.
If that is your husband in your avatar then I suggest changing avatars.
If it is your new boyfriend - you could get him to buy you a new 85mm F/1.8 lens.

Nic42 Loc: Cardiff, Wales

If you need to ask what lens you need for portrait shots, then I suggest you are not ready yet to step into paid photography!

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

I also agree and disagree. The standard for portrait lenses forever was 75 to 130mm in the film 35mm SLR camera era. There are reasons all professional photographers in the world used that focal length range. I won't bore you with details, you should already know.

Now granted, with non-full-frame digital crop sensors the lens focal length is shorter to get the same perspective. A 50mm on a crop sensor body should be equivalent to an 80mm on a film or full-frame digital body. To reach the optimum portrait industry standard range of lens lengths one would try to use a zoom that covers 50-100mm so it isn't being used at the extreme ends where lens aberrations can occur. Halfway between 50 and 100 is 75mm - my recommendation.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

feleekshia;

First, my condolences that your marriage came to that.

Second, you need to change your profile location to more closely match where you now reside.

Third, join the 10,000 other people in the metro Phoenix area trying to make a few bucks at photography. Including me.
I would suggest that you join some local camera groups on Meetup and FaceBook. There's one FB page for 'second shooters' in Arizona [those looking to assist at a shoot, not be the primary]. And another for buying/selling photo gear in AZ.

Depending on where you live [please don't give specifics, just West Valley, Maryvale, etc.], The Photographer's Adventure Club meets in Tempe, and the Arizona Shutterbugs West meets in Peoria.

Nightski

feleekshia,
Please allow me to offer some personal advice first.
1.) Don't act like a victim. You only attract the worst sort of men. Good Men respect women who are self sufficient, the other kind give you just enough of what you need to take advantage of you. Own your mistakes, change your behavior to get better results.

2.)Do your homework. If you do your homework before you ask questions, you will have be able to ask the questions that get the answers that you need. Use google, youtube, adoramatv, etc... to learn. Then when you get stuck, come here and ask a targeted question. And..Practice, Practice, Practice.

3.) You're a single mom now, so multi-task. Make your daughter a part of your photography. This is something you can share with her. Practice on her, and have her practice on you. Show your daughter how to be a strong woman, who can do it herself. The teacher often learns more than the student.

4.) Don't take money for photographs until you are ready. If you want to start a photography business, you need to build a reputation. Don't put out shoddy work to get by. Rely on your dental assistant profession for that.

Okay, on the lens advice. DO NOT allow anyone to buy your lens for you. Get it on your own. Remember, you are taking responsibility for your life now, OWN it! Then, before taking any advice from people here, go on youtube and watch some portrait/wedding photographers go through a shoot. They often will talk about the lenses they use. THEN come here, find the portrait/wedding photographers, and ask them specific questions about the lens you think you need. Don't listen to advice from landscape or wildlife photographers on what lens to get for a portrait. How would they know?

Finally, PM me if you have any questions about the advice you are receiving. I would be happy to send you in the direction of people that have had nothing in their hearts, but a sincere desire to help me learn. But these people won't build your business for you. Nobody will. And the best people will only help if they see that you are doing your part.

My heart is with you. My mother was a single mother that worked as a dental assistant, and things were tough. You have a talent here, girl. Learn it, own it, and use that heart of yours to make your clients feel at ease, but don't wear it on your sleeve so much anymore. The wolves out there don't deserve it.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I agree with Lighthouse, but after you change your avatar, get a GOOD lawyer and you will be fine. Multitasking means, that while your looking for that good lawyer, you are changing your last name(your daughter will be fine).
If your talented, the photography will fall into place. SS

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

You can do lots of things with your kit lens, you just have to be creative. You don't even need lights really, but you do need to know about how to light people.

I'd suggest what Nightski said...learn learn learn and keep learning.

Also, it's probably not that great of an idea to open up personal details on a public forum like this...

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

feleekshia, you would do well to listen to Nighski, use her as a menter, and also ask her about software options. Bill

bioteacher Loc: Brooklyn, NY

Being divorced and helping friends through divorce remember 3 things:

1.You go through the same steps as a death.

2. The spouse you divorced is not the person you married.

3. The best revenge is to move on with your life, be happy, successful and your daughter is the innocent victim = don't get her involved.

Been there and done that

photoninja1 Loc: Tampa Florida

The question was about photography; and was well addressed. Relationship advise belongs on another forum.

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

One more thing: change your bio on this UHH site. It's kind of outdated now, since you're getting a divorce.

Listen to Nightski ... good advice.

Best hopes for your future!