Essential Equipment for a Professional Photographer

Essential Equipment for a Professional Photographer
Linda Moore
11/20/2013
Updated:
4/24/2016

So, you want to start working as a professional photographer? Maybe you’re fresh out of college and looking to put your newly found knowledge to use. Or maybe you’ve always had a love of photography and want to turn your hobby into a career. Perhaps you’ve even latched onto photographer after working in a related sector, such as advertising or marketing. Whatever the reason, you are not alone. Photography is a popular profession—and as such, this means that there are some pieces of equipment that you simply cannot do without if you hope to make a career out of photography.

Let’s look at the essential equipment you will need for your professional photography career. A camera, of course, is a given. But you shouldn’t be looking for just any camera. To really make photography lucrative for you, you will need a camera with the right kind of specs. Forget “point and click.” You should look for a camera that professionals use--in other words, a SLR (or single lens reflex) camera.

The brand you choose will be up to your personal preference. Some professionals prefer Canon, while others will swear by other brands. The camera stand is essential for steady photos or time delayed images as well. A portable tripod can also be taken with you wherever you go, allowing for maximum opportunities to take great photos. You should also keep in mind the type of photography you intend to take when choosing your camera. For example, if you plan to photography high-movement subjects (such as dance or sport events) you will need a camera with a very high shutter speed to capture scenes without blur.

You can’t hope to make a living from photography without the right kind of processing equipment. If you are using traditional film, you will need a darkroom and will need to know how to use it. If you (like many professional photographers in today’s world) are using digital, you will need a professional quality photo editing program and a high quality printer to match. Certain equipment increases your chances of having better quality photos. Photographers use photo lights, umbrella lights ad photo tents.

The lighting is useful for portraiture and studio shots. They also provide you with control over lighting during photo shoots. The type of program you use may depend on your personal preferences and your editing skills. It is generally commended that you test out trial versions of editing programs to get a feel for them, and what you can do with them, before taking the expensive plunge to purchase one. Image software makes editing easier which is why most photographers work with Adobe Photoshop to alter or enhance images providing them with better clarity. 

I am a freelance writer and enjoy reporting on a variety of topics.
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