out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

Its been awhile since my last post and my photography has really been stepping up lately with people photography.
Last night i did my first boudoir shoot that was actually a paid shoot and a birthday shoot last weekend. I shot my first wedding a few weeks back and have another wedding coming up in July which i was able to book from the last wedding. Everyone seems to be happy with my work and word is starting to get around. The pricing could be a big reason also. Weddings i charge 500 with only simple editing out of light room and only on so many photos. usually 1/4 of photos taken. they are given a few sample photos by email then rest is put on thumb drive and sent to them.
I use an IPAD to show the photos straight out the camera that same day as the shoot if they just want the photos then i still charge the 500.
Boudoir shoots I only charge 150-250 depending on what the customer wants. Depending on if customer wants different lighting and such. i have a portable studio lighting set with soft boxes and umbrellas along with several Godox speed lights I use with it and continuous lighting.
I have several events coming up everything from Graduation photos to a wedding and a few family portrait bookings.
The gear that i am shooting with now is a Canon 6D MarkII with 4 different lenses. 24-105L series F4, 50mm F1.8, 50mm F1.4, 85mm F1.8, and a 70-200L series F4 USMIII. The rest of my gear includes a Tamron 28-300 vc and Tamron 150-600 GenIII. I have three Godox speed lights which i use in a studio lighting kit if I dont want to use the continuous lighting.
So here is the big question should i spend more money on another lens or should i buy a second camera for back up. Im looking at the Canon 90D for that crop factor and extra reach with my lenses and the Canon 5D MarkIV for its just all out greatness.
Opinions and advice is greatly welcomed. Thank You in advance.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I am not a commercial photographer, but it seems to me that for paid work a second body would be essential, eliminating the possibility of being dead in the water if your 6D should fail.

Jerry G Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida

Buy a second camera. If your current camera has a problem it would not be good for your reputation if you can't shoot a job because you don't have a camera.

sr71 Loc: In Col. Juan Seguin Land

A second camera is a must have.

n4jee Loc: New Bern, NC

No question, a backup body. And why 2 50mm lenses?
I would stick with full frame bodies. The 24-105 would be your "Normal" lens for the majority of your event activity. The 70-200 will give you all the reach you need for events. The 50 and 85 for low light use. I doubt you'll use the Tamron's professionally for the areas that you are focusing on.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

The 5DIV is a great camera and i'm sure it will be your "go to" camera hen you get it. With the "R" cameras out the 5D is down--- GET IT. Yor lenses seem fine.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Don't sink money into an unused 'back up'. Don't create a 'difference' either between your bodies where you end up using one over the other, thus creating this unused back-up. Find another used EOS 6DII and begin to work with one lens on one body and a complementary lens on the other. I say this looking at the business aspect, where everything needs to work the same and as expected with no mental adjustments in the field. But, you might find another body for your long 150-600 Tamron for wildlife makes sense too. The 'why' of another body should be fully considered. Just don't sink money into something that sits on the shelf unused or ends up creating that situation.

I don't see anything missing your lenses. You can throw money at faster apertures, but you won't get anything sharper than these three primes unless you change both to mirrorless lenses and a mirrorless body. Not an expensive idea that is worth pursuing now.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

5D MIV is the best all around camera you can get today as a DSLR.
The 90D, if you are looking for willdlife reach, has no peer in DSLRs as far as speed, superior AF including highly accurate and fast video to get birds flying or elk fighting and finally in APSC no one comes close for resolution.
Tough decision, look at what you see is needed and if generating income. For income from your post activities it would be the 5D MII.
PS, I will spend your money, get both.

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

Thank you and as always your advice is well taken and followed. i never considered buying a second 6D markII. It has been a really great camera for me other then a few issues here and there with lower light shooting, seems to want to hunt alittle more then i expected. Thats probably the lens more then the camera. when i purchased the 70-200mm F4 I really should have waited another couple weeks and gotten the F2 version. Im not really into this for the money, just enjoy shooting and people i have found to be most enjoyable.

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

Thank you, you are correct the Tamron lenses are used only for wildlife where i need that extra reach. the reason i have two 50mm was because I did a few head shots with the 1.8 and a friend of mine let me use the 1.4 for the same head shots. 1.4 came out better with the creamy background they were really looking for so i went ahead and bought it also.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Yes you need a backup body: You absolutely do not want to have a failure.....if your contracts/agreement structure do not absolve/protect you from litigation.... you could experience the pain and suffering of "self funding" a wedding (or other) re-shoot, including the cost of bringing back guests, court costs, etc. I used to shoot wedding and other activities, another photographer friend suffered greatly financially (and reputation) from a large/costly wedding fail - I do not remember the amount now but it was way north of $10K (in the nineties). Even if nothing fancy, a backup body should be high on your list. Protect yourself!! Nice people/families can turn vicious with a fail of this sort..........
With that said, good luck with your venture.

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

Thank You and i totally agree with you. I will be purchasing a second body just for those reasons. I do however have a form drawn up stating that i am in no way a professional photographer and only shoot as a hobby. Any malfunction of equipment or failure will result in return of money taken and if possible a reshoot at clients expense.
I require this from both husband to be and wife to be signed and dated in advance.
However you are correct, the damage to my reputation could be very costly in the long run.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

I agree with everything Paul says. He is right on.

My question is why do cheap? I would add another zero.

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

Can you give more detail on what you mean by adding another zero

Quixdraw Loc: x

A great many years ago when I was doing much the same kind of thing as you are now, I first quickly acquired two similar cameras and two flash attachments. After that, I made sure I got a needed piece of equipment from every "big" job. There are no excuses for equipment failure, two cameras / flashes are a minimum. As to prices, mine were similar to yours in the money of the day, simplicity of the operation a keynote. You can certainly raise your prices as you move forward. Best of luck, and have fun with it, I know I did.