Pet photography camera/lens(es)/equipment

[Karen G]

Hi all

I hope I'm posting my question in the correct place! I have always loved photography... and have been using a Canon PowerShot S3 IS for the past few years. I really love this camera.. and get some really great shots in just the "auto" mode... so have never learned to use all the manual settings.

So... my questions I have a dog grooming salon where I groom just one dog at a time, and would love to learn how to do pet photography (to offer as a sideline business to grooming) since I already have a customer base to market to... plus the advantage to having "freshly groomed" pets looking their very best for pictures!

I'm not in any big "hurry" to do this. I just want to start learning as much as I can before I even get started with this venture. I've been looking (and thinking about) the Canon EOS Rebel XSi SLR Digital Camera Kit (Black) with 18-55mm IS Lens & 55-250mm IS Lens for about $799. Would this be a good option for what I'm mostly going to be doing (pet photography) or would another option (camera/lenses) be a better choice? I know that I will also need to think about setting up a little studio with lighting etc. (and also need to learn about) so I would just like to make sure I'm spending my (limited) budget on what I will really need to get into this.

Thanks so much for any tips/help you can share with me... and I'm really looking forward to participating in the forum here! I have soooooooooo much to learn... but am very excited!

[Karen G]

Was a bit disappointed that I didn't get a single reply to my question(s) in over 2 weeks on the forum. I finally made a choice on my own, and ordered the T1i with 2 kit lenses to start with. I know I will learn a lot of great info here, just reading through the forum.. but in my excitement of my new venture... I had really hoped to feel like more a "part of this forum group" as well.

[zona5101]

Hey,
congrats on your new purchase! Sometimes posts don't get a lot of exposure. If there is a lot of acticity posts get lost in the shuffle. I was on last night at 8:30 pm and checked new posts, now at 5:30 this am there are 6 pages of new posts! Anyway, I think the camera and lens you bought will work fine. Try it out a bit and see. After experimenting a bit, come back with some questions. Good luck and have fun.

[Karen G]

Originally Posted by zona5101

Hey,
congrats on your new purchase! Sometimes posts don't get a lot of exposure. If there is a lot of acticity posts get lost in the shuffle. I was on last night at 8:30 pm and checked new posts, now at 5:30 this am there are 6 pages of new posts! Anyway, I think the camera and lens you bought will work fine. Try it out a bit and see. After experimenting a bit, come back with some questions. Good luck and have fun.

Thanks!

[sumo67]

i am using a canon xs with a 28-135 lens and polorized filter here are a couple of my dogs..as for studio, just go to the park

[BryanPanting]

Congrats on the new camera. I am also hoping to start a pet photography side business sometime in 2010. Right now I am just working on getting all the gear I think I may need including lights, and putting together a solid portfolio. Are you planning on shooting indoors and doing studio shots, or are you thinking about doing location and environment shots. If you are doing studio work then I would suggest getting some strobes and umbrellas to help out with the lighting, it will make a big difference in the quality of your shots. Good luck, look forward to seeing some of you pet shots.