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Advanced Beginner, desires to pursue "ON LOCATION" Portrait Photography
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Jan 24, 2021 13:51:41   #
Silverrails
 
Please provide me with any upbuilding suggestions on Equipment and Teknique to pursue a successful ON LOCATION Portrait business. H.S. Seniors, Family, Reunions, Employment, Business, etc.

*I have a Nikon D3300 Camera
*Nikon SB-800 Speedlight Flash
* 3 EN-EL14a Batteries with Charger
*Nikon 50mm 1.8g lens
*Nikon 18-140mm
*Nikon 12-24mm wide Angle
*Nikon 55-200mm
*Nikon Cable release
*Camera Tripod
* 32x32" Gordox Softbox
* Bowens S1 Flash bracket
* Light stand Tripod
* Filters
* Kenko Auto Extension Tubes

Reply
Jan 24, 2021 14:14:48   #
Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio
 
I know nothing about what you ask but would think you need some sort of lighting and flash. Possibly a 35mmf1.8 or a 70-200mm f2.8. I'm sure MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE folks will chime in.

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Jan 24, 2021 15:31:41   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
With your present gear, always use the 55-200 and at its biggest aperture for portraiture. That will force you never to go lower than 75mm and stay away from your subjects.
That way you do not distort and bloat your subjects and have a decent separation from your background.
50mm f/1.8 is cool too but will limit you a bit in composition.

There are lot of others things to consider but you'll get them eventually. Just keep at it. Be observant, be creative, enjoy and keep learning. When you have exhausted what that 55-200mm can do, then you will know what you need next.

Some good techniques;
1. Always focus on the nearest eye
2. Mind the background and if you want bokeh/separation, keep that as far away as possible from your subject.
3. Understand light.
4. Play with levels, normally it is best for the camera to be in the same level as the eyes of the subject.
5. Shoot a lot - or use the continues shot setting
6. Learn a good editing software
7. Have fun

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Jan 24, 2021 15:45:24   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
Silverrails wrote:
Please provide me with any upbuilding suggestions on Equipment and Teknique to pursue a successful ON LOCATION Portrait business. H.S. Seniors, Family, Reunions, Employment, Business, etc.

*I have a Nikon D3300 Camera
*Nikon SB-800 Speedlight Flash
* 3 EN-EL14a Batteries with Charger
*Nikon 50mm 1.8g lens
*Nikon 18-140mm
*Nikon 12-24mm wide Angle
*Nikon 55-200mm
*Nikon Cable release
*Camera Tripod
* 32x32" Gordox Softbox
* Bowens S1 Flash bracket
* Light stand Tripod
* Filters
* Kenko Auto Extension Tubes
Please provide me with any upbuilding suggestions ... (show quote)


At this point, you've created 56 posts, mostly related to equipment. I didn't find any posts of current work asking for feedback. That would be a better approach, one you should take, showing your ability to use your equipment and ideas of how / if / where to improve.

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Jan 24, 2021 16:45:01   #
User ID
 
Drbobcameraguy wrote:
I know nothing about what you ask but would think you need some sort of lighting and flash. Possibly a 35mmf1.8 or a 70-200mm f2.8. I'm sure MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE folks will chime in.

Lighting gear is in his list of stuff on hand. It’s inadequate but his “business plan” is doomed anywho, so no big deal. To be in business you need a product or service that:
(A)buyers want or need, and
(B) buyers value, and
(C) buyers cannot easily get for free.

You can’t get by on 2 out of 3. You must satisfy all of A, B, and C.

As one of my fellow staffers put it (on a very bad day): “Never do for a living what other people do for a hobby.” As noted, it was a bad day, so “never do” should more realistically have been “beware of doing”.

BEWARE !!!

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Jan 24, 2021 16:58:09   #
User ID
 
Silverrails wrote:
Please provide me with any upbuilding suggestions on Equipment and Teknique to pursue a successful ON LOCATION Portrait business. H.S. Seniors, Family, Reunions, Employment, Business, etc.

*I have a Nikon D3300 Camera
*Nikon SB-800 Speedlight Flash
* 3 EN-EL14a Batteries with Charger
*Nikon 50mm 1.8g lens
*Nikon 18-140mm
*Nikon 12-24mm wide Angle
*Nikon 55-200mm
*Nikon Cable release
*Camera Tripod
* 32x32" Gordox Softbox
* Bowens S1 Flash bracket
* Light stand Tripod
* Filters
* Kenko Auto Extension Tubes
Please provide me with any upbuilding suggestions ... (show quote)

Hopeless. Sell everything. Buy nothing.

Get some practice as an assistant on a “dress properly, follow instructions, keep mouth shut” basis. Sufficient time as an assistant will answer all your questions.

Or ..... you can listen to fellow Hogsters recommend focal lengths and maximum apertures .... cuz that is the grand total of their working “knowledge”.

Reply
Jan 24, 2021 17:31:38   #
E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
 
Believe it or not, outstanding photographic portraits can be crafted with relatively simple equipment. For starters, the camera you have will suffice and in your zoom lenses, there are appropriate focal lengths for a closeup, head and shoulders, 3/4 and full-lenght portraits as well as groups. You may need to augment your lighting inventory although certain basic portraits can be done with one moonlight and a reflector. For a while, however, let's put the gear aside and talk about technique and business planning.

The specialties you aspire to do all come under the heading of general portraiture- nothing outrageous- and can make for a viable business. A solid business plan and marketing approach for each of those categories is important, so much so, that without it, any business is destined for failure, regardless of your skills and talent.

On its very basis, portraiture is "people photography" and nowadays many PEOPLE are simply taking the own pictures- cell phone selfies, many amateur shooters with fancy gear, etc.- you know all about that! This, however, does not negate the roles of the PROFESSIONAL portrait photographer BUT your work has to be a significant cut above what folks are doing DIY and your marketing approach to each of your potential specialties is critical.

The is my 58th year in professional photography and portraiture is still part of my business- so what I'm gonn tell you may be considered "old school" but it has kept my portrait customers returning. ask you self- WAHT AM I SELLING? Clients don't care about cameras and flash gear or f/stops and shutter speeds or pixels. They wanna look great in the portraits! So- how' you ligh skills? Know anythg about facial analysis? It ain't rocket science but folks don't wanna seether flaws- only the best features. Believe it or not- retouching is not the cureall- it has to do with light control. posting and camer angle- image management at the camera! How are your people skills? Not all you customers are gonna be movie stars and models and you have to draw the expressions out and keep the happy and relaxed. At the end of the day, in their portrait, he wanna look like models and movie stars- WHY NOT? Hair, makeup, clothing and colour coordination- notice that much of this has nothing to do with gear!

Location work- Weel- you can set up a portable background or do environmental portraiture which involves using natural light and/ or combing flas and natural light. If the background is part of the theme or a story, you need to know how to expose it, render it in or out of focus and design the composition involving the environment. Nowadays, BUSINESS and executive portraits are oftentimes made in offices, factories, construction job sites OR they may be formal and studio-like.

In the U.S. senior high school portrait has become an industry but the "kids" do not necessarily want the old format cap and gown thing, although that my interest parents. Many are in lifestyle portraits, a bit of glamour and excitement- sports, cars, their favourite activities have to be part of their grad portraits.

STYLE? You have to develop your own style and promote it. The basics, however, still apply!

I don't know what your skill level is but if you have not been involved in portraiture I would advise a basic course in someof the must-have skills. I got to recommend something you can get online at no cost. Again, it's rather "old school" but it illustrates some basic angles of the face- full, 2/3 and profile, important camera position and some rudimentary posing techniques. There are also some basic light forms. It's based on studio work but you will learn to recognize good lighting on the subject wehn occurs in naturally available light situations. There are also some nice ideas for group arrangements. Have a look and let me know what you think. Here's the link:

http://blog.kitfphoto.com/Zeltsman/

Mr. Zeltsman was a grandmaster and my favourite teacher and mentor.

Gear: You may want to invest in some good-quality monolights and create an on-location "studio-like" setup. You may need some collapsable reflectors and gobos, perhaps a soft-focus filter or two or an actual soft-focus lens?

Take it form am an old guy with a gray beard- think about the education and preparation before you write the cheques or flip the credit card!

Wit the pandemic and all the lockdown, the portal business is slow and sometimes non-existent- if no for my commercial work, I would be in trouble. The good news is this a good time for planning, learning, assembling the gear, exploring potential markets and lining up all your ducks.
I can recommend all the gear in the world- lighting by Speedotron, Photogenic, Westcott Godox, Paul C. Buff, and more. Lightstand tripods by Gitzo, Manfrotto, and many others. Put to get a BUDGET! You may need to search the used market for some good stuff.

Sorry- no quick tips today! Look at it this way- planning a photographic business like a long vacation trip- getting there is half the fun- don't rush!

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Jan 24, 2021 18:13:29   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
The easiest way to make money as a photographer is to sell your equipment.

Reply
Jan 24, 2021 18:47:46   #
bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.
 
Just dont quit your day job and think you will become a professional photographer. It could take years tobuild enough business.

Reply
Jan 24, 2021 20:27:57   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Silverrails wrote:
Please provide me with any upbuilding suggestions on Equipment and Teknique to pursue a successful ON LOCATION Portrait business. H.S. Seniors, Family, Reunions, Employment, Business, etc.

*I have a Nikon D3300 Camera
*Nikon SB-800 Speedlight Flash
* 3 EN-EL14a Batteries with Charger
*Nikon 50mm 1.8g lens
*Nikon 18-140mm
*Nikon 12-24mm wide Angle
*Nikon 55-200mm
*Nikon Cable release
*Camera Tripod
* 32x32" Gordox Softbox
* Bowens S1 Flash bracket
* Light stand Tripod
* Filters
* Kenko Auto Extension Tubes
Please provide me with any upbuilding suggestions ... (show quote)


Take some courses that emphasize posing, lighting, blending lighting and ambient light, composition, presentation, client management, small business accounting, sales and marketing (related but not the same), developing a proper business pland and a proper marketing plan, and creating enough of a financial buffer to keep you in a home or apartment for at least 6 months - or longer due to the pandemic.

Oh, btw - being a successful photographer is about 15% technical ability, and 85% business management and customer service.

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Jan 25, 2021 06:21:14   #
traderjohn Loc: New York City
 
Silverrails wrote:
Please provide me with any upbuilding suggestions on Equipment and Teknique to pursue a successful ON LOCATION Portrait business. H.S. Seniors, Family, Reunions, Employment, Business, etc.

*I have a Nikon D3300 Camera
*Nikon SB-800 Speedlight Flash
* 3 EN-EL14a Batteries with Charger
*Nikon 50mm 1.8g lens
*Nikon 18-140mm
*Nikon 12-24mm wide Angle
*Nikon 55-200mm
*Nikon Cable release
*Camera Tripod
* 32x32" Gordox Softbox
* Bowens S1 Flash bracket
* Light stand Tripod
* Filters
* Kenko Auto Extension Tubes
Please provide me with any upbuilding suggestions ... (show quote)


I would try YouTube.

Reply
 
 
Jan 25, 2021 06:57:11   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
Silverrails wrote:
Please provide me with any upbuilding suggestions on Equipment and Teknique to pursue a successful ON LOCATION Portrait business. H.S. Seniors, Family, Reunions, Employment, Business, etc.

*I have a Nikon D3300 Camera
*Nikon SB-800 Speedlight Flash
* 3 EN-EL14a Batteries with Charger
*Nikon 50mm 1.8g lens
*Nikon 18-140mm
*Nikon 12-24mm wide Angle
*Nikon 55-200mm
*Nikon Cable release
*Camera Tripod
* 32x32" Gordox Softbox
* Bowens S1 Flash bracket
* Light stand Tripod
* Filters
* Kenko Auto Extension Tubes
Please provide me with any upbuilding suggestions ... (show quote)


I believe you need more education than advice. Since you have one flash ( a good one by the way) let me educate you up. The following is an excellent tutorial for folks with one flash. You can do everything with it.
On-Camera Flash by Neil van Niekerk.
This should be on your must read book. Read it over, follow his advice, and you will be educated up on how to proceed.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

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Jan 25, 2021 07:26:58   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
At this point, you've created 56 posts, mostly related to equipment. I didn't find any posts of current work asking for feedback. That would be a better approach, one you should take, showing your ability to use your equipment and ideas of how / if / where to improve.



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Jan 25, 2021 07:32:11   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
The easiest way to make money as a photographer is to sell your equipment.


U FUNNY GUY!

Reply
Jan 25, 2021 07:38:44   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
Good advice from Mr. Shapiro & Gene51. Depending on the way you learn there is ,

https://www.nyip.edu/prospective-students/learn-photography-new?campaignid=120423000&adgroupid=1281136293&keywordid=kwd-22473518870:loc-190&creativeid=76897111144266&network=o&device=c&msclkid=6d04d1c3790c1bd9d2ddb1cdc3ed4faa&mkwid=Rpgu7NsC&code=D27&extensionid=&matchtype=e&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NYIP-Search-Main-B-VAD&utm_term=ny%20school%20of%20photography&utm_content=NY

This guy offers online classes & a lot of vids on u-tube. https://www.youtube.com/user/GreatPhotographyTips

https://www.bing.com/search?q=scott+kelby&form=ANNTH1&refig=11a1a3d5cbcf4b499a24544a6c3c9f2e&sp=-1&pq=scott+kelby&sc=8-11&qs=n&sk=&cvid=11a1a3d5cbcf4b499a24544a6c3c9f2e

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