My suggestion would be to stick to your budget, and be creative in how you approach each scenario you list for shooting. You'll want to get some nice shots in those situations, and more importantly, LEARN. All very similar to what I've been shooting over the last 10-12 years, so I'll describe what I've done;

SPORTS. outside sports are always easier as you can get a pretty good, but slow 70-200mm lens. Have a lot of great soccer and LAX shots from when my kids were playing. When I tried to shoot hockey with it, there just wasn't enough light, so I would go with my kit lens which is a Nikon 18-70mm 3.5-4.5. Pretty good little lens, but I needed to find a good spot and could only cover one end of the action. I've got a lace near me where I rented a 2.8 70-200mm and got some better shots, but my skills weren't great at the time, so not great for the cost.

LANDSCAPE. I've used the kit lens described above. The most important thing I learned along the way was to get a decent tripod and remote shutter release. Good results can be had with longer exposures, important to keep things stable. also bought a cheap fast 35mm prime lens along the way that I now use a lot for lower light stuff so wind doesn't cause blurs.

THEATER. My son is a musician, so I've shot a lot recently in the low light public space recently. I bought a cheap 1.8 50mm lens, and it does surprisingly well, you've just got discretely move yourself into a pretty close place to shoot. Next time i go down to Nashville I'll probably rent an 85 or 100mm fast lens.

PORTRAITS. For outside, I've used my slow 70-200mm with great results. For interiors, I use the 35 or 50 1.8 lenses. I don't really care for a flash look, so I try to use available light, or if needed, i have some basic shop style reflector bases with daylight bulbs, I'll throw one or two of these in to fill in the scene. I've also rented a nice 85mm 1.8 lens for something I was doing semi-professionally. Really nice results, but I don't need it often enough to purchase, when there's a place somewhat near me where I can get it for $30 for the weekend.

For your camera, you look to be yearning for the Nikon D7200. Nice camera, but it's the latest and greatest Nikon DX, so it will be pricey. Consider a used D7000. I've seen little used ones going for about $400 lately. I'd avoid the 5600 series, as there will be a lot of great lenses that the AF won't work with it. The D7000 is what I shoot with, and it's a great camera to learn on, I've been looking at upgrading to a full frame model for about a year now, but just couldn't justify it. Below are some of the shots I've taken of the situations described above.

My Math:
Camera good, low shutter activation DX (used): $400-$500
Good, but not Great 18-70mm lens (used) $200
Good, fast f1.8 50mm lens: $200(used could be less)
A good used tripod: $100
Total=$1000

...yes, this leaves out the telephoto for sports. That will be another $300-$400 for an OK lens that will be great for outdoor sports and candid portraits, hey, Father's Day is coming, right?


Good luck. Tim.

Very nice. Are you setting white balance in camera or adjusting in post?

Love the architectural details around the alter, very reminiscent of the Catholic churches I grew up in down here on the south shore. It's a shame so many of them painted those details recently rather than leaving the natural material's tone and texture.

Classic.

though I have it on my "to do" list to try CC for iphone shots.

It all comes down to what is included in the rate. They may be charging an hourly rate for the actual "shooting time", which takes into consideration the time required before and after the shoot to process, retouch, etc. I would get detailed information, a rate just by itself doesn't tell me much. Also, review their portfolio, a bargain price isn't a bargain if you don't like the results.

re: dinner. I would say if they are shooting for more than 4 hours, feed the photographer. Ask your caterer about meals for workers, sometimes they offer it at a lower plate cost.