What is the least expensive photographer setup for taking a family portrait?

Question

I have a Canon 20D and am just trying to get into family portrait work. I am using an EF 28-135 as my everyday lens. I am not looking to fork out professional cash right now, but I would like it to look somewhat professional. I am debating some (2) cheap fill flash (Zeikos ZE-DS12) along with a Canon 430EX II on camera with bounce off ceiling. Gray sheet for backing and putting the fill flash opposite @ 45 degrees facing the family. Quite possibly, picking up a couple of umbrellas and using them for bounce on the fill. Basically, will this work or do I need more or just different? Any book references would be great or websites that have good information on this subject.
Thanks to all who answer. You advice will be appreciated.

Answer 1

I'm with the other two! I started with one bee, and now I'm an addict.

Cool thing about them is that they retain their value, so if you have any savings at all, buy 3 or 4, because if you compare used bee prices on ebay, and new bee prices on http://alienbees.com/, there's not a lot of difference and they ALWAYS have bids on ebay. So.. Invest your savings in something that can actually MAKE you some money :-)

I am about to buy a new B1600 and B400, personally... I buy mine from the website, not used because the bulbs are new.



Business or not, I still recommend Bees. I've taken monhtly pictures of my daughter since she was born (9 months now) and have taken portraits of MANY of my family and friends with them. And.. .If I were to sell them now, I'd lose $50 at the MOST. I can't even RENT equipment for 1 week for that!

They're WELL worth the investment. And, not to mention I'd say I've gotten more than I paid for them in usage, and the bulbs haven't even gone out on me yet!!

You can get the money back, and they'll assist you greatly while you have them!

Answer 2

You are way way under prepared to be thinking about opening a portrait photography business. You sound like someone who says, "I have a wrench and hammer. What else do I need to be a car mechanic?"



First, I think you should by two new cameras. Preferably 7D's. They are a good entry level for someone looking to do this professionally.



Then, you need lights. I agree with the other posters about the AlienBees. They have some great kits, and I still use them on occasion.





Are you going to have your own studio? If not, you can't count on being able to bounce light of the ceiling. Not everyone has a white ceiling. If you are going to have your own studio, you will need decent backdrops. They aren't cheap either.





If you want to get in to family portraits, I think a cheap setup would be about $5,000. If you want to do it right, plan on spending more.

Answer 3

If you can afford it, get a small alien bees kit (The Digi Bee $599 for example). If not, here is what I use on location (wedding guests mainly).



- I have 2 YN460's (80$Can each)

- I have a cheap muslin background with stands (73$Can)

- One Nikon umbrella kit including a bag, one 9' stand, 1 multi use umbrella and umbrella mount(180$Can it was on sale when i bought it)

- Set of cheap radio triggers includin 1 transmitter and 2 receivers (30$Can)



Total Cost: 443$+tax



I also either use a 50mm f1.8 (140$) or a 24-70mm f2.8 (1500$) on my T1i or Xsi.



My typical setup at weddings is like normal high school photo album setup ... more or less.



One main light behind a pass through umbrella at 45 degree with one background light.



Examples of my shots:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51633413@N07/4824410992/in/set-72157624447483747/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51633413@N07/4823800907/in/set-72157624447483747/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51633413@N07/4823804967/in/set-72157624447483747/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51633413@N07/4970262711/in/set-72157624447483747/



I've also made myself a snoot out of some black vinyl material you can get at hardware stores (Canadian Tire here in Canada for example). It's used to put under your utensil tray to stop it sliding.



Cost for a roll ... 17$



Example shots:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51633413@N07/5082485905/in/set-72157624447483747/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51633413@N07/5336250456/in/set-72157624447483747/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51633413@N07/5336253662/in/set-72157624447483747/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51633413@N07/5335643865/in/set-72157624447483747/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51633413@N07/5335646581/in/set-72157624447483747/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51633413@N07/5336262020/in/set-72157624447483747/

Answer 4

Rather than investing that much money on cheap substitutes I would buy one Alien Bee, the best I could afford and one umbrella and stand. That way you could build upon this light and eventually have a full, professional set up. Here are a few examples of photos I have taken with one Bee, some I have used umbrellas, some a snoot. http://www.flickr.com/photos/perki88/5333569879/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/perki88/5317855085/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/perki88/5311972623/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/perki88/4201364898/in/photostream/