Expert: Wedding Photographics - 1/2/2010

Question
Hi John,

Thank you for providing a resource for people like myself. I will try to make this brief and to the point.

My Fiance is an excellent photographer and has a very good eye for great shots. She is very creative really impresses me with her talent. She is self educated reagarding photography and has been asked to do a wedding and other pregnancy black and whites as well as color photos and they are honestly spectacular. She is not a professional but has a desire to start a buisness and open a studio. I would like to help her get started.
First of all, for her birthday coming up in May, I would love to purchase a new camera for her. I would like a suggestion. What is a great all around camera, lenses ect for her to use that she would be able to use proffesionally? I have about a 2000.00 to work with set aside for a camera and would like your suggestion on what to purchase for her. I would also like to purchase Adobe photo shop for her. She has windows Vista on her laptop and XP on her desktop. I have no idea what version to get her. Can you please advise on that as well.

Thank you very much,
David

Answer
Hi David,

With a budget of $2,000 the camera and lens I would recommend for starting is the Canon EOS 7D SLR Digital Camera with 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens (Kit). From B&H Photo/Video http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/647503-REG/Canon_3814B010_EOS_7D_SLR_Digit...

It is currently priced at $1,899.95.  Features includes 18.0 Megapixels, 3.0" LCD, HD Video Recording, Selectable Video Exposure + Frame Rates, Dust & Weather Resistant, 100% Viewfinder, Self Cleaning Sensor, High Sensitivity (ISO 12800), 8fps Burst Mode, 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens.  All these features will keep this camera useful for awhile. Photographers are becoming more multimedia producers these days because of the popularity of video games, online video posting and advertising/marketing online with videos. So she can defintely use ALL these features besides considering shooting video for customers.

As far as Adobe photo shop, go with Photoshop Elements 7.  She can very easily grow with this. When she is ready to advance, instead of going with a superior version of photoshop, she might just consider adding photoshop plug-ins instead. Very cost effective post-production imaging editor this way.

When it comes to the studio, since I've already blown the budget, she could start with a studio which uses natural light.  This light is especially beautiful with mother & baby photos when it comes diffused through a window curtain. Using reflectors and perhaps one flash later she will have a perfect studio for doing mother/baby/child/family portraits.

Well, I hope I've at least provided some ideas for getting started.

Best,

John