How to Start a Photography Business - Camera Choices Made Easy

Digital Point and Shoot vs Digital SLR

I feel like everybody probably has their own camera right now, whether it be a point-and-shoot camera or a digital SLR, you probably already have access to a camera. If you don't and you're on a limited budget, I'm going to give you some choices for that as well. Let's go over two different types of cameras.

The Point and Shoot Camera

There is nothing external. Your flash is built in and your lens is built in. You're kind of stuck with what's on the camera, but this is not always a bad thing because it's compact and easy. You do not have as much control with one of these cameras. If that's all you have to get started, that's okay. If you had a choice I would go with a digital SLR. You just have more control with this type of camera.

A digital SLR

One big advantage with the SLR camera is that you can hook up an external flash. You also can hook up external lenses and you can change them quickly. Usually, you have a PC port that can trigger a strobe. They have a hot shoe and the hot shoe allows you to hook up those external devices I just mentioned. The digital SLRs are more expensive. They usually start at about $399 on up to as much as $9,000. The changeable lenses are a very valuable asset because you can zoom in and out really quickly by just using your hand. The PC port allows you to hook up a cable that actually communicates to an external light source. You just have more user control.

What should I look for in a camera?

1) You want to make sure it's at least a 6 MP or higher. 2) Should have an external flash. Doesn't mean you have to have it, but you're going to eventually want that. I'll cover that in another article. 3) A memory card. They're so inexpensive today. You're going to want a minimum of 512 MB. 4) You're going to want a card reader so you can get your work into your computer.

So basically, that's all you really need as far as a basic camera goes. If you only have a point-and-shoot, don't think you can't start a business because you can.