Minimum recommended gear for pet photography biz

[k9mom]

Hi all...as my screen name implies, my interest is in pet photography (to complement my pet care business). Over the past couple years I've routinely taken photos of clients' pets while caring for them, then use the photos for calendars, etc. to give to clients during the holiday season and the clients have all been thrilled. It seems like a natural extension of the biz to offer photography services, so that's where I'd like to venture. I recently bought a Canon 40D, some lenses (I have 5 now), a tripod, UV filters and a large capacity CF card. What other equipment, minimally, would I need to get before starting off? I do not want to set up a studio, but want to start out just offering to do sessions in the clients' homes or yards, or at a dog park, etc. So mostly I'd be using outdoor settings for natural light, or shooting indoors during the day where I might need more flash and lighting equipment, but I want to keep it simple, as inexpensive as is reasonably possible and highly portable and easy to transport (I have a small compact car).

Thanks for any and all advice...

[oldwolf]

My wife went into pet photography. I'd suggest a fast zoom lens and a flash.

Reason behind the fast zoom is because you're not always going to be able to run in closer to the pet to reframe the shot with a fast prime. Some pets are skittish or will move as soon as you move so you'll have to zoom in to frame and get that shot you want.

Reasoning behind the flash is so you can fill in deep dark shadows and evenly light up the subject more.

Oh, one last thing which you probably already have since you work in the pet care biz...patience. hehe. You need tons of it for the difficults ones.

edit: My wife brought up a good point. Elbow and knee pads. Some times you'll be on the ground crawling around trying to get that shot. Elbow and knee pads make the ground less hard.

[k9mom]

Oldwolf - thanks for your help (and thank your wife, too).

Great info - I have a flash on my list but hadn't even thought about the knee and elbow pads! Yes, they are a must, as I can't tell you how many times I've walked away with bruises and bumps on me after photography my clients' pets. Excellent suggestion - and an affordable one too!

When you say fast zoom, is an f/2.8 considered fast, or will I need to dig deeeeeeeper into my pockets for a super-expensive lens. Right now I've got 5 lenses, one of which is a 55-250mm, but only f/4 - 5.6, so it is not what one would consider fast. I've also got a 28-75mm f/2.8 so altho it's faster, doesn't have as much reach as the 55-250; still, for pet photography, it offers more reach than a 50mm prime and I wouldn't think you'd need a super zoom to do pet portraiture...no?

[oldwolf]

I think your 2.8 should be fine. Don't think you'll need a super zoom unless you need an excuse to spend money on glass.