Vlogging is one of the best ways to gain traction and build a community on YouTube. Viewers love seeing into another person’s everyday life and enjoying mundane tasks like cleaning, shopping, and organizing.

But in order to lure viewers to your channel with these simple videos, you need a great camera.

How do you find a good camera for YouTube vlogging?

What You Should Know about Vlogging

Before you begin shopping for a good camera for YouTube, it’s important to understand the vlogging process.

Vloggers record their daily lives. They show what they do throughout the day and highlight activities like preparing meals, practicing their morning routines, shopping, showing the items they purchase in hauls, cleaning and organizing their homes, and sharing special events with their families and friends.

Others record videos related to their business to build up an audience for their goods or services.

Think about what you do on a daily basis and for fun and then imagine recording it. The videos are posted, often with minimal editing but this isn’t always the case, and they range from about 10 minutes to 60 minutes in length.

To create a vlog that people enjoy watching, you need a video camera that produces high-quality video and that is small and light enough to carry with you wherever you go.

The quality is sometimes less than a camera you’d use to produce a sit-down “studio” type video, but many compact and lightweight vlogging cameras today offer great quality.

Originally, many vloggers simply used the video camera on their phones to record vlogs. Many still do, and some who’ve made a career of vlogging even use their phones in a pinch.

But if you really want to excel and grow your YouTube following, you must invest in a good camera.

How to Choose the Best Vlogging Camera

There are a few things you’ll want to consider before you settle on what vlog camera you want to invest in.

First, consider your budget. Cameras come in a wide range of prices, so you want to set a budget and try to stick within that budget. You can get a good camera for YouTube regardless of how much you want to spend, so don’t assume you need to shell out thousands of dollars for the right YouTube camera.

Next, you’ll want to assess the following of each of the cameras in your price range:

• Video quality
• Storage
• Sound quality
• Ease of use
• Design

It might help to create a list where you post each of the cameras in your price range and then rank them based on what you learn from research about each of these factors.

Now that you have an idea for how to shop for a vlogging camera and you know what you’re looking for in this type of camera, here are our top 7 picks for a good camera for YouTube:

Canon PowerShot SX730

Click image to view at Amazon.

This camera is one of the most affordable options on the market that has a flip screen. Flip screens work great for vloggers because they are able to see the video they are creating as they create it.

It also has a 40X optical zoom and offers continuous shooting at nearly six frames per second. It also has built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth.

The drawback of this camera for a YouTube blogger is that you can’t shoot in in 4k, only HD. There’s also no viewfinder or electronic level and no touch-sensitive LCD. But we think it’s great for vloggers who need a high-power zoom, such as someone vlogging crafting or cooking.

Check the price of the PowerShot SX730 at Amazon.

GoPro HERO 7

Click image to view at Amazon.

This camera is for the most active vloggers. It has time warp video capture, great control features, and smooth video stabilization.

The only drawback of this camera is that you aren’t able to livestream in 4k, which is something most people who are new to vlogging aren’t that concerned about. If you are planning to create videos that feature outdoor adventures or sports activities, this is a fantastic option.

Panasonic GH5

Click image to view at Amazon.

This is one of the most durable vlogging cameras out there. It offers a 4k mirrorless camera, Venus engine processor, and is dust-, splash-, and freeze-proof to negative 10 degrees F. We’d say it’s a fantastic camera for outdoor vlogging thanks to these features.

It also offers 4k smooth quality video, advanced panning control, and no recording duration limit.

As great as this camera is, there are still a few things it could improve on. For example, the Bluetooth capability is outdated and over time the features haven’t improved all that much with each new iteration of the camera. It’s an ideal photography camera, but it’s still great for active, outdoor vlogging.

Canon VIXIA HF G40

Click image to view at Amazon.

This camera boasts a lot of space and can save you if you are someone who isn’t backing up data as often as possible. It has two SD card slots, which means you can use to cards simultaneously, doubling the memory.

It also has high-battery capacity which is great for vloggers because you are out and about so much and recording so much footage. It doesn’t have the best autofocus, but we still think it’s a great camera for those who are just getting started with vlogging.

Sony DSC-RX100 MkIII

Click image to view at Amazon.

This is a great value camera for YouTube vlogging and offers a tiltable LCD screen and a pop-up viewfinder. You aren’t going to find a better camera at this price point.

Panasonic Lumix G7KS

Click image to view at Amazon.

This camera was designed with vloggers in mind. It offers 4k video capture and a high-resolution viewfinder.

It’s also incredibly easy to use.

The wi-fi function is complicated, but we still think it’s a top-notch camera for both new and experienced vloggers.

Check the price of the Lumix G7KS at Amazon.

Sony Alpha a6400

Click image to view at Amazon.

This camera is great for capture details. It features a tiltable LCD screen and creates clear, crisp images. It also has a Real-Time Eye Auto Focus feature that is great for vloggers.

There’s no built-in image stabilization, so if you’re replacing a camera that had it you’ll need to adjust until you get used to not having the feature.

There you have it.

Our list of seven great vlogging cameras to get you started or up your game on YouTube.

Photoshop and Lightroom are similar photo editing programs. Adobe makes both and they allow you to editdigital images. But what do you need to know about the differences?

Photoshop vs Lightroom: How to Know Which is Right for You

The simplest answer to whether choose Photoshop or Lightroom is “it depends.”

Each has its advantages and is beneficial in various circumstances. Knowing the pros and cons of each and applying that information to the specifics of which you are working makes it easier to choose the right photo editing program.

What are the differences between the Photoshop and Lightroom?

Features and Benefits of Photoshop

Photoshop is one of the best-known photo editing programs. Adobe created the application and it set the standard for photo editing software.

Originally, it was a simple program and as they made advancements, it expanded and became more functional. Nowadays, Photoshop is popular with graphic designers, photographers, animators, and publishers.

Adobe Photoshop offers a wide variety of options. It’s a pixel-level editor, so you’re able to work with each pixel and alter your images. You can get up close and personal with every little dot of color that makes up your digital image.

Features and Benefits of Lightroom

Photo Editing

Lightroom is also a photo editor from Adobe. It offers many of the same features as Photoshop but it is specifically designed for photographers. Most professional photographers find it includes all the tools they need for their work.

Workflow

Lightroom also offers more than Photoshop or other photo editors available. With Lightroom workflow, you can organize, import, manage, and find images.

It’s not just an editing tool; it’s a photo management tool. You can run a significant portion of a photography business using the software.

Non-destructive Editing

It’s also a “non-destructive” editing program. Photoshop is not. What this means is you don’t have to save your work at every step when you’re editing with Lightroom.

It features no save function, and it automatically saves all edits in a Lightroom catalog, so you can go back and see the changes you’ve made and work from your original or any step in the editing process.

The Workflow of Lightroom

There are varying opinions on this but many professional photographers and those who are familiar with both Lightroom and Photoshop believe that Lightroom offers a better workflow. Lightroom offers users the ability to:

• Create collections
• Move multiple images or files on your hard drive
• Add keywords
• Print books
• Create slideshows
• Share your photos directly to Facebook

It’s also possible to copy or sync an edit to multiple shots at the same time. You can also create presets and apply them to common settings across a group of photos.

Best of all, it’s easy to do and many people believe it’s much easier to use than Adobe Photoshop. This is a huge time saver, especially for photographers who shoot a certain type of event, like a wedding, or a certain style of photo, like a portrait.

Lightroom vs. Photoshop: How to Choose

Choosing between Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom is about determining the needs of your project. If you do a certain type of project more than another, you can steer your choice toward the software most suitable for the majority of your work.

With Lightroom, you’re able to do most of what you can do in Photoshop. You aren’t sacrificing anything, you’re just determining how much photo management you need with editing.

So, for example, if you shoot mainly raw photos, Lightroom is likely your best option. It excels at editing raw photos on its own, whereas with Photoshop, you’ll need Adobe Camera Raw. Lightroom also allows you to organize all of the digital photos as you import them.

Lightroom offers plenty of basic photo editing options including:

• Cropping
• Exposure
• White balance
• Tonal curves
• Histogram adjustments
• Black and white conversion
• Red-eye correction
• Spot removal
• Local adjustments
• Gradients
• Sharpening
• Lens profile correction
• Noise reduction
• Saturation
• Vibrancy

Anyone familiar with working with Adobe Camera Raw can make the transition to the Lightroom photo editor without much effort.

In fact, Lightroom is easier to use and is great for beginning photographers since Photoshop is known for its steep learning curve.

Does Lightroom Make Adobe Photoshop Obsolete?

Though it might seem as if there is no need for Photoshop now that Lightroom exists, that isn’t necessarily the case. The best time to use Photoshop is when you can’t use Lightroom since there are situations where Photoshop is better.

Most of it comes down to the type of photo editing you are doing. Sometimes, there will be situations where Photoshop is suitable and for other cases, there is rarely if ever a reason to use Photoshop.

When to use Photoshop vs Lightroom

Specifically, Photoshop outperforms Lightroom with the following:

• Advanced Retouching allows for pixel-level control or the ability to alter a person’s image.
• Composites, where you are slicing and dicing multiple images into one.
• Panoramas, if you need to stitch multiple photos to create a single panoramic view.
• HDR, when you want to blend images and work with shadows and highlights from multiple exposures.
• Advanced healing, which includes actions such as removing blemishes, whitening teeth, removing small objects, etc.

Lightroom can also do some of these things. Photoshop just does them much better.

Making Your Selection

So what happens if you understand what Lightroom and Photoshop can and cannot do and you still aren’t sure which will be the best investment for you?

The fact is there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to Photoshop vs. Lightroom. One isn’t necessarily better than the other.

Many photographers use both regularly and combine them for a set of comprehensive editing tools.

In most cases, Lightroom is a better option for beginners. You can start there with the intention of adding Photoshop later once you’ve mastered Lightroom and identified where it’s reached its limits in your workflow. But for many, Lightroom is enough.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lightroom and Photoshop

Which is better for a beginner photographer Photoshop or Lightroom?

Lightroom is easier to learn. It’s great for organizing your photos as well as simple editing like correcting issues with lighting or color. Photoshop is more powerful, but has a steeper learning curve.

What are the things Lightroom can do that Photoshop cannot?

Lightroom is a photography workflow tool which also has image editing capabilities. It has the ability to import and manage image files, add metadata, handle backups, in addition to simple editing. Photoshop is primarily a powerful photo editor.

Is editing on Photoshop harder than Lightroom?

Generally, Lightroom is easier to use for photo editing that Photoshop, since it offers simpler adjustments. Photoshop is much more powerful, therefore there are more advanced features to learn.

Macro photography is a style of photography that makes small things look large. Macro photographers might focus on flowers or insects or other small things that are photographed in such a way that they make up a large focus of the end photograph.

It’s a fun technique that’s improved by macro photography tips that enhance your technique.

In general, macro photography means very large photographs. In practice, though, it’s the art of taking extreme close-ups of small objects to produce a larger-than-life shot.

It’s one of the most challenging types of photography but it’s also one of the most impactful and rewarding. It requires the photographer to work with very shallow depths of field and extended shutter speeds.

It might also put you into some cramped spaces when taking your photographs – but that’s all part of the fun!

Macro photography is perfect for anyone that loves attention to detail and has a lot of patience, especially if you are working with live subjects when taking your photographs.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you in your macro work.

What’s the Difference between Macro and “Close Up” Photography?

Though the terms might be used interchangeably and some people even use microphotography when talking about macro photography, they are different and mean different things.

Macro photography captures something small to the eye and makes it look huge.

Close up photography is just the act of getting close to a subject and taking a picture. It can be any sized object, it’s just shot close up. In macro photography, the subject is small and looks large.

Knowing how to approach a subject, understanding how to capture images when achieving the effect of macro photography, and making the most of the tools you have to work with are all an important part of practicing macro photography.

These macro photography tips will help you get started and improve your skills as a macro photographer.

Top 10 Macro Photography Tips

1. You Don’t Need a DSLR Camera

Though you might already be working with a DSLR camera when you decide to practice macro photographer, it isn’t necessary.

As a matter of fact, you can capture macro images with nothing more than an iPhone camera. You’ll just need to use the right lens to get the macro effect you want. One of our favorites is the Black Eye Macro G4, available at Amazon.

2. Any Time is the Right Time for a Macro Shot

You might think macro photography is only going to work in certain situations or at certain times. This isn’t necessarily the case.

Though there might be conditions when the background, light, or shadows are more ideal than others, you can capture macro images during every season. And since much of macro photography is concentrated on nature, you’ll have a chance to get great shots any time of year.

3. Your Macro Lens Can Do a Lot

Many people assume their macro lens is specifically designed for shooting photos of small creatures like bees and dragonflies but this isn’t the case.

The lens can handle multiple other fields, so you need not worry about investing in something that is only going to work under very specific conditions.

The average macro lens has a minimum focusing distance of 30 cm so you can use it for a variety of subjects. Anything you can photograph can be captured as a macro image.

Here’s our guide to some of our favorite Nikon macro lenses.

4. Lighting Can Be a Challenge

It doesn’t matter what your subject is when practicing macro photography, you’ll likely need to incorporate some extra light.

You need a wider aperture and an extended focal length so the usual ambient lighting will not be enough. There are cases when you have enough natural light to suffice, but if not, use a reflector or external flash to improve your photo.

Read more about building a macro flash diffuser.

5. Using Focus Stacking

Focus staking is important for macro photographs and, sometimes, it’s a necessity. The wide aperture needed in macro photographs gives you a small depth of field which affects your focus.

When you focus stack, you can capture primary images at different focus points and stitch them together to keep your intended subject in focus.

6. Working with Moving Objects

If you expect your subject moving, like when you’re shooting insects, it’s best to focus on something static in the photo and plan for the moving subject later.

For instance, if your goal is to capture an insect crawling across a flower, set up to shoot the flower and allow the insect to become part of the photo as naturally as possible.

7. Do Not Disturb

Getting great macro photographs of tiny living creatures can be a challenge. This is especially true for the subjects that are likely to fly away when jostled or startled. Your best bet is to entice these creatures instead of spooking them.

Invite them into your shot instead of taking the shot to them. There are many ways to do this and what works sometimes might not be right another time. Practice the skill and you’ll end up getting great photos.

8. Start with Inanimate Subjects

To back up a bit, you might want to begin with subjects that aren’t going to fly away. It’s exciting to capture a macro image of a caterpillar or butterfly but it can also drive the most skilled photographer batty.

One of the best macro photography tips is to begin with inanimate objects like food or plants and then graduate to things that move.

9. Remember to Keep It Interesting

When you drill down to the most tedious form of art, you can lose some creativity. Make sure this doesn’t happen when practicing macro photography.

One of the goals of taking macro shots is to take things we see all the time and make them more interesting. Therein lies the creativity.

When you can prompt a viewer to think “wow, I’ve never examined something from that angle!” and be enthralled into an otherwise common image, you’ve achieved your goal.

10. Capture the Details

Macro photography is all about the details. Your goal is to capture the texture, shapes, and details of your subject.

It’s also important to consider space when taking a macro photograph, just as you would with any other shot. Negative or empty space helps a viewer’s eye see what’s most important about the details of an image.

Now get out there and practice your macro photography!

Most professional photographers already know about macro photography but If you’re an amateur, you might not be.

Macro photography is a close-up image of everyday objects where you can see every little detail. It’s photography with a 1:1 magnification and cannot be captured with a normal lens.

To get into macro work, you need the right lens to capture the image. Macro lenses make it possible for you to capture every single detail.

So, we made a list of the best macro lenses for Nikons in 2022. Here, we’ll review our favorite macro lenses so you can make the best choice for your Nikon camera.

Nikon AF-S 105mm f/2.8G VR IF-ED Micro-NIKKOR Lens

Check the price at Amazon. 

Maximum aperture: f/2.8

Minimum focus distance: 31cm

Filter size: 62mm

Image stabilization: Yes

The Nikon AF-S 105mm Micro-NIKKOR is the perfect lens for focusing on macro photography. It’s our favorite one and we recommend it if you can fit it into your budget.

Nikon uses their nano-crystal coat and ED glass on this lens to cut down on glare and chromatic aberration that can show up in your shot. This gives you the perfect images when you go out and shoot.

This lens is also equipped with the brand’s Super Integrated Coating (SIC) to improve light transmission.

The VR in the name represents their Vibration Reduction technology. This technology ensures vibrating has zero effects on your images. The high-speed autofocus that’s amazing and almost always accurate and it uses the Silent Wave Motor (SWM) to change traveling waves into rotational energy.

With the high aperture of the lens, the background blur will impress you. Plus, it works just as well for taking portraits and other images as it does for macro photography. 

Check the price and read reviews of the Nikon AF-S 105mm f/2.8G at Amazon.

Nikon AF FX Micro-NIKKOR 200mm f/4.0D IF-ED Lens

Check the price at Amazon.

Maximum aperture: f/4

Minimum focus distance: 48cm

Filter size: 62mm

Image stabilization: No

This Nikon lens is one of the top lenses out there. It’s been around since 1993 though they’ve updated the model in recent years.

This lens is designed for a full-frame with a larger sensor though it also works well with small DX-format digital SLR cameras.

One downside to this lens is that is doesn’t have an auto-focus motor. So, if your camera doesn’t have auto-focus, the lens won’t be able to compensate on its own.

That said, It does have a manual focus ring and an internal focusing mechanism that promises constant barrel length when you focus on the subject.

The lens aperture diaphragm has nine diaphragm blades. This helps produce depth and capture those tiny images, making them sharp and beautiful. This lens is perfect for macro photography.

Nikon AF FX Micro-NIKKOR 200mm f/4D IF-ED Fixed Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras at Amazon.

Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro VC USD Lens

Check the price at Amazon.

Maximum aperture: f/2.8

Minimum focus distance: 30cm

Filter size: 62mm

Image stabilization: Yes

Tamron is a great substitute for buying a Nikon macro lens. Tamron lenses are high-quality and produce beautiful images.

This lens is dust-resistant, moisture-proof, and has a fluorine coating so you don’t have to worry as much when the weather turns bad when capturing shots outdoors in the natural light. The coating helps repel water and prevents fingerprints from building up.

This lens also uses advanced coating technology to reduce flares, glares, and ghosting and an XY-Shift compensation to reinforce VC functionality which creates image stabilization and vibration reduction.

Check the price and Read Reviews of the Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 at Amazon.

Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens

Check the price at Amazon.

Maximum aperture: f/2.8

Minimum focus distance: 30cm

Filter size: 62mm

Image stabilization: No

This Tamron lens is designed for both SLR and digital SLR cameras. Like the model above, it’s a great lens choice for your Nikon. It’s often referred to as the “portrait macro” lens.

This is an update from the original 90mm lens from Tamron. It’s one of their Super Performance (SP) lens created to match what professionals and buyers wanted.

The Tamron AF 90mm is lightweight compared to most lenses, light enough to carry around and pull out whenever you need it.

Unlike the previous Tamron lens, this one doesn’t offer image stabilization. You have to be careful of vibration while shooting.

That said, it does have a focus ring. Thanks to this ring, you can switch between auto-focus and manual focus with little delay. It takes a little slide motion to choose between options.

The lens is made of nine diaphragm blades that give you a great background blur that’s not at all messy or unattractive.

You can also use this lens for videos and still get beautiful resolution and detail. The contrast is superb.

Check the price and Read Reviews of the Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 at Amazon.

Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Nikon DSLR Camera

Check the price at Amazon.

Maximum aperture: f/2.8

Minimum focus distance: 31cm

Filter size: 62mm

Image stabilization: Yes

This Sigma macro lens is one of the more affordable choices out there and the cheaper price doesn’t affect the quality and ability of the lens.

It’s designed for full-frame digital SLR Nikon cameras but can also fit smaller ASP-c size sensors.

The lens takes images at 1:1 magnification and greater. It uses its Optical Stabilizer to ensure there’s image stabilization so most vibration won’t impact your images whatsoever.

The floating inner focus system makes it so there’s high rendering throughout the focus range and it has a rounded nine-blade diaphragm. The diaphragm creates the blur to the out of focus areas that makes it look better.

This lens has a Super Multi-Layer Coating that makes glare practically disappear. It also reduces ghosting in your images.

Check the price and Read Reviews of the Sigma 105mm F2.8 at Amazon.

The Bottom Line 

Macro photography isn’t just for professional photographers. Macro shots are fun sub-type of photography to try out that gives you a different and unique perspective on the world.

Don’t have the budget to rent a building for a studio? Or maybe you just don’t want to? It doesn’t matter your reasoning, a photography studio set up in your home is super easy and much more affordable than renting a studio space.

And don’t worry, you’re not the only person with a photography business with a photo studio set up in your home. It’s very common and you can still produce high-quality images for your clients.

We’re going to walk you through the steps to creating a photography studio set up at home and show you the best and more affordable tools and equipment to get this done.

Make Room for Your Photography Studio

The first step is to pick a place for your photo studio. You need open, dedicated space, you can’t just clean out a small corner of a room. That said, it doesn’t mean you need a large room. It depends on the type of photography you plan on doing.

For example, are your doing portrait photography? Or product photos? If you plan on doing one-on-one portraits, your space doesn’t need to be very big but if you want to do family portraits, you need more. With product photos, it depends on the product.

If possible, avoid rooms where the ceiling is too low as the light can bounce off the ceiling and affect the look of your image. You (and your clients) won’t like the look that generates.

Set up The Lighting

Lighting is the biggest factor for your photography studio. If you have bad light, whether there’s too much or not enough, you’re not going to get a good shot.

Natural light coming in from a window can make a beautiful image but it can also create gross ambient light. So, you need to use something to cover the windows but that’s also easy to remove.

Light diffusion curtains are designs for this. You can even purchase light diffusion fabric to create simpler make-shift curtains.

Or, if you don’t want to spend cash on new curtains, you can use a shower curtain or even newspaper for a darker mood.

Our Favorite Affordable Light Diffusion Curtains: Neewer Nylon Silk White Seamless Diffusion Fabric 

• Neewer offers a nylon white light diffusion fabric that works great for any photography studio and at a great price. You can use this fabric to make your own curtains.
• It’s 19.7 feet by 4.9 feet, plenty of fabric to work with.
• Light reduction with this curtain is about 1.0 f-stop.

Check Price of the Neewer Diffusion Fabric at Amazon.

Now, it’s time to get into light reflectors to give you more control of the lighting. Light reflectors aren’t necessary but using them can up the lighting game in your home studio.

The light reflector has to placed opposite the window. It helps to purchase a stand reflecting arm to hold the reflector up and to maneuver it into position.

If you don’t want to spend money on a light reflector, there are plenty of DIY projects you can do. Purchase a foam core board as a much cheaper option that can reflect just as well.

Our Favorite Affordable Light Reflector: Mountdog Photography Portable Light Reflector 

• This product from Mountdog is a 5-in-1 light reflector. It includes translucent, silver, gold, white, and black.
• The frame is made of steel so it’s durable. You won’t break this reflector if you drop it.
• It comes with a zippered case, making it super portable.

Check Price of the Mountdog Light Reflector at Amazon.

Don’t forget the light stands. These are important to hold your lights as you’re shooting so you don’t want a flimsy light stand that can’t handle the weight of your cameras.

Although you don’t want super cheap light stands, that doesn’t mean you can’t find quality light stands at an affordable price. Keep in mind, you have to purchase one for each camera so it can add up.

Our Favorite Affordable Light Stands: Impact LS-RL7 Reverse Legs Light Stand 

• Impact’s reverse leg light stand is made from aluminum. It’s tough enough to hold your lights but light enough to travel with if you need to or just to move around your home studio.
• It folds up so it’s even more portable.
• The max height is 74.8 inches and the minimum height is 19.29 inches.

Check Price of the Impact LS-RL7 at Amazon.

Set up The Perfect Backdrop

Lastly, you need to set up the perfect backdrop for your images. You can’t do a photoshoot with just have a plain wall in the background as it would just look unprofessional to clients. With backdrops, you can get creative.

If you want to be as versatile as possible, you’re going to want different colors for your backdrops. You also have to decide if you want a permanent or collapsible setup.

Since you’re creating a home studio, permanent seems like the obvious choice. But don’t discount collapsible backdrops. If you want to use different colors, it’s much easier to collapse one color when you’re done and easily set up another.

Our Favorite Affordable Backdrop: Neewer Collapsible Chromakey Black & White Backdrop 

• This Neewer collapsible backdrop is reversible so you can easily switch between a white or black backdrop.
• It has a strong steel frame so it’s durable. This backdrop won’t wear out right away.
• This backdrop is 5 feet by 6.5 feet.

Check Price of the Neewer Collapsible Backdrop at Amazon.

If you don’t want to purchase a backdrop, don’t fret. You can purchase a roll of white paper to use as a backdrop and simply hang it from the ceiling. Make sure you tape it against the table so it doesn’t move around when your client moves.

The Bottom Line

The beauty of creating a photography studio setup at home is that you don’t have to throw money at renting a studio. Plus, the equipment you purchase doesn’t have to be expensive.

We hope this guide helps you create the perfect photography studio at home. It’s a lot easier than you think.

If you’re an amateur or a pro you know the value of a good tripod. For certain types of shoots, a reliable tripod is of the utmost importance. But with that being said – you don’t have to spend a lot of money or get the best most expensive tripod around.

You need a tripod that suits your needs in a cost-effective way. There are a large number of tripods to choose from so in this article, we are going to talk about the best tripods that are the most bang for your buck.

Sometimes as photographers – either as hobbyists or pros we get a little gear crazy. You know it to be true! A tripod is one of those pieces of gear that is essential but one that you don’t really need to blow a ton of cash on.

Features to Look for in a Tripod

I know for a fact that I have never broken the $200 dollar range when buying any of my tripods. I generally look for a combination of stability, sturdiness, and mobility.

Now, what does that mean? For me, stability means that I like a tripod that has sound mechanics. This is something you can find through testing, renting, or trial and error. When you put your camera on a tripod head you don’t want it to shift or weigh the head down. An ideally stable tripod head does not move at all.

When I talk about a tripod being sturdy I mean how much wear and tear can it take? If you’re on the road or gigging a ton or even using it regularly for hobby photography you need to know that it would last along with the rest of your gear.

A huge mistake photographers make is that they buy gear on the cheap because they just want to add it to their repertoire. Just because you have something doesn’t mean its worthwhile.

Through your own trial and error, you will find what works for you and what doesn’t. Take note because the tripod you buy when you first start out with photography or film will be vastly different than the one you end up with when you know what you need to do as far as your work is concerned. I have a burial ground of tripods long forgotten that just aren’t up to snuff anymore.

As far as mobility goes with a tripod there are quite a few options. Personally I like to pack light for shoots. However, I know that some shoots require bigger guns. If I’m shooting interior design I pack a nice travel tripod from Zomei that I scored for an affordable price.

Check price of the Zomei F678 at Amazon

This tripod is actually a knockoff of a much more expensive one ($325) that I found online. It collapses to about 16 inches and extends to a touch over 6 feet.

It’s low enough to the ground that I can take some great shots without having another tripod in its place and can extend enough so that I don’t need a big rig. One of the legs can also unscrew into a monopod and it can also allow you to mount your camera upside down.

For me, it’s the most cost-effective and utilitarian tripod I have ever bought. The only downside to it is that I need to be really hands-on with it and make sure everything is super tight once extended. Zomei actually makes some really excellent and affordable tripods for different uses and range in size as well.

Another great budget tripod is from Ravelli, the APGL4 Professional 70″ Tripod

Check price of the Ravelli APGL4 Professional Tripod at Amazon

This is a more standard three-leg tripod that has a nice trigger head and lock in quick release plate, which is a lifesaver on shoots when you need to pop your camera off the tripod at a moment’s notice.

Ravelli also updates this model tripod every so often. The build is fantastic and it’s an extremely sturdy piece of work.

Amazon sells its own version of this very same tripod for around half the price. However, the build quality isn’t that great. I would recommend it for studio use only so you’re not banging it around on location since it might just fall apart.

Ravelli also makes an excellent tripod for any videographer out there: The AVTP Professional Camera Tripod.

Learn more about the Ravelli AVTP Professional 55" 65mm Video Camera Tripod with Fluid Drag Head at Amazon

Another tip when buying a new tripod is to know your subject and know your gear. For example, when buying a new tripod you can look at the specifications and see exactly how much weight it can hold.

You can also look at reviews from photographers that are shooting what you do. For example, if you want to shoot only landscapes then you need a tripod that can easily adapt to different terrain while staying steady as possible for those long exposures you may shoot out in the field.

If you’re more of a videographer you may want to look into a bit of a more complex piece of equipment that can handle a cinematic style head for your gear.

Build quality and ease of use are two of the most important things to think about when buying a new tripod. I personally my octopus tripod because it’s so portable and versatile that you can literally tie it around something with its flexible tentacle legs:

Manfrotto also makes a very compact action tripod with a trigger swivel head and its sleek black color makes it nice and eye-catching but functional.

Learn more about the Manfrotto Compact Advanced Aluminum 5-Section Tripod Kit with 3-Way Head, Black (MKCOMPACTADV-BK) at Amazon.

They also have a more heavy-duty model with a three-way head kit, which is something versatile to add to your arsenal especially if you’re shooting video.

Learn more about the Manfrotto 290 Xtra 3-Section Aluminum Tripod with 804 3-Way Pan and Tilt Head at Amazon.

These are all great and cost-effective tripods. However, my number one suggestion before buying to try out the various options to see which one fits your equipment and shooting style.

Backpacking can for some people literally change their lives depending on the level they take it to.

For others, it represents an amazing way to get out, explore and rekindle your human relationship with nature.

Whether you plan a 3-month extended journey across the Appalachians, the Dolomites of France, Island hopping the Caribbean or weekend sojourns out and about your local area; ensuring you have the best camera for someone new to backpacking is as essential as your choice of terrain ready footwear.

After all, no one wants to be out wanting to catch a shot, but with the wrong gear. Not only can it ruin the trip, but it can also lead to serious issues that a little planning would have avoided altogether.

This leads us to our first question that must be answered, which is…

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Backpacking Camera

Is A Backpacking Camera Any Different From Other Cameras On The Market?

The answer is both yes and no.

No, in that backpacking cameras can be used for a whole host of other activities, of course, they are not singular in purpose and you’ll get tons of use out of the right camera during many of your other activities.

Yes, in the fact that you’re going to need a camera that has a very special set of abilities.

You’re also going to have a few decisions to make later in our discussion as to what is most important to you in achieving your photography goals.

So, to really answer this question let’s dive right into the why of the matter by answering the question.

What Type Of Photography Will I Be Doing And What Special Qualities Must My Camera Possess?

To answer these properly we will break them down into the different types of photography and backpacking that you might engage in and where in the world you might want to do them.

Backpacking can mean different things to different people, the two main types of backpacking photography we will cover here today are; travel photography and nature photography.

This way you’ll be covered and know the differences between the exciting worlds of travel backpacking and wilderness backpacking.

They share many of the same needs and concerns, but some aspects of each are quite different.

What do You Plan to Use the Images For?

Looking to start a YouTube channel with a lot of cinematic qualities to your videos?

If so, then you’ll want to go with a middle ground DSLR that shoots video. You’ll find lots of great options in the Nikon and Canon lines; both actually excel in mid-price point cameras.

Next, you’ll want a lens with a wide aperture (also known as f stop). An f stop of 1.4 will allow you shoot some really nice cinematics.

To pair with your lens you should consider a variable ND filter that will help decrease your depth of field so you can keep your shutter speeds lower while using the larger apertures.

The last three items on the list that you’ll need will be a high speed (fast) memory card with a high enough MB/s to actively capture your footage. For most cases, a 95 MB/s extreme card should do the trick.

Be sure to review your camera’s specs to ensure you’re always using compatible gear. Never use unapproved memory cards or batteries as not only don’t they perform up to scratch, but they can also void your camera’s warranty.

Just a little pro tip you might not know about: Many modern camera’s log the types, numbers, and makers of the batteries and or memory cards you’ve used.

They can use this information to void your warranty and not fix your camera if it needs it. Check your camera’s warranty to see if this inclusion or exemption is listed.

You’ll also need editing software. You’ll find a number of products on the market with Adobe being one of the best known and most robust software packages for the money.

This camera and gear set up will allow you to shoot great videos and many of the cinematic and time-lapse scenes that your YouTube subscribers will drool over.

Then lastly, you’ll need a tripod. Even with image stabilization in the body of the camera or the lens, any camera shake during cinematic or time-lapse shooting will ruin the whole thing.

We are not biased in any way, but Manfrotto makes several good, reliable midrange tripods that we’re sure you’ll be happy with for years to come.

Will you be doing a lot of still photography such as the beauty of nature and the architecture and objects of the city?

If this is the case, you can definitely use the same type of a DSLR that we spoke of before and just add a couple of lenses and you should be all set.

When shopping for your camera be absolutely make sure that if you get a telephoto lens with your kit lens pack that has a wide aperture.

Most of the ones they offer in kits will start at medium apertures and you’ll be so disappointed when you can’t get that nice bokeh (blurry background) on distant items or items you want to macro with your telephoto.

If you do go with a kit such as a Nikon that almost always includes an 18-55 mm lens as part of their kit, then we suggest a 50 mm fixed lens that’s so well regarded that many call it the nifty fifty.

This is a prime lens, meaning it has a fixed depth of field. You’ll need to set your field depth by moving and composing your shots instead of just autofocusing.

This may sound a little more difficult, but in the long run, it will make you a much better photographer as you’ll be forced to learn shot composition which can clearly separate your images from the run of the mill.

A 50mm prime lens with a great aperture will become one of your favorite all-around lenses that can give you the rich, creamy bokeh behind the objects or people you’re wanting to capture.

With a decent kit lens of say 18-55 mm, a good telephoto lens and a nifty fifty prime lens you should be set up to capture almost any shot that you’ll run into in nature or the city unless you’re wanting to deep dive into specialized fields like portrait or macro.

Another pro tip:

Don’t follow some of the goofier recommendations out there of turning your lens around and holding it up to the body to get a macro shot. You take far too much risk of damaging your sensor and lens with contaminants from unnecessary exposure and damaging your lens from attempting to hold it in place.

If you’re only moderately into macro just go buy a snap-on macro lens attachment. They’re really inexpensive and do a decent job of it.

Should you find yourself loving macro, then go buy a dedicated macro lens. But, don’t risk your lenses and camera by using them improperly to attempt to get a shot they are not designed for.

Now let’s dive into the specific needs of backpacking.

Travel Backpacking Photography

Depending mostly on where you’re traveling, you’re going to want to be sure and take this advice to heart or you’ll be oh so sorry later.

When traveling through most any major city, especially those in 2^nd tier or lower countries, be sure not to carry a large camera around your neck or in your hand.

It really doesn’t matter how expensive your camera is if it’s large and has a detachable lens you’ve just become a target.

Should I Buy Both A Compact Camera And A DSLR Camera For Backpacking?

The answer to this is absolutely and here are just a few reasons why this is a great idea.

There will be days when you just don’t want to carry a large camera with you. A few of these times might be:

When you are interacting with local families.

The compact camera is not intimidating to them. Whereas your large expensive (in their eyes) camera with its big lens can make them feel self-conscious or uncomfortable.

Trust us; you’ll get better intimate, in the moment shots with a compact that they almost don’t even notice.

When you carry a large camera

Thieves spot you from a great distance and in their minds, this has a high resale value.

You might not even see anyone around you and a pair of moto thieves (two thieves on a motorbike, one steals the other drives) ride by and snatch it right off your neck or out of your hands.

If you’re in a place like Southeast Asia

It can be treacherous getting in and out of tricycles known in Thailand as Tuk Tuk’s, or various tiny community busses known as Jeepneys in the Philippines.

It’s not a matter of if, but when are you going to smash or drop your camera.

Ease of Use is the other big reason you’ll want a small compact camera for travel

When you have your large camera in it’s carrying case and you need to get a shot, you’ll be oh so glad to have your compact camera there ready to grab it.

It’s also much easier to deal with a compact camera in the rain, crowded subways or taking pictures without being obvious about it so you can catch things as they happen naturally without the subject(s) reacting.

Nature Backpacking Photography

Here you can use the exact same type of a camera set up and just add a wide-angle ‘landscape’ lens to your bag such as a 10-20mm VR and you should be good to go.

You’ll appreciate the image stabilization so that you can work with medium aperture settings such as 11 through 16 or so to keep the whole shot in focus including the foreground which can give great reference in some shots.

You won’t need a compact camera as much unless you’re concerned the wolves might lift your large one.

In nature, you’ll likely do nearly all of your shooting on your full-sized camera.

Full-Size Camera And Compact Camera Recommendation For Someone New To Backpacking

While there are many great choices, we’ve narrowed it down to our favorite in each category.

Your Full-Sized Camera

Our pick for your best full-sized backpacking camera is the Nikon D series in the range of the D5600 through the D7500.

You can generally get them kitted with their standard 18-55mm VR lens which will give you a nice range of autofocus field depths and is a good all-around lens for general shooting.

Then depending on your needs, you can add;

50mm Prime Lens

Be sure it has the wide aperture or f stop so that you can get a really creamy bokeh that will blur out your background if you want it to really leave only the subject in sharp focus.

This can also serve as your cinematic lens while swapping it out with your other lenses for some of your B-Roll footage.

The Nikon 50mm f1/8 DX II (available from Amazon) is a good option for a 50mm prime.

70-200 Telephoto Lens

Unlike Nikon’s 70-300mm lens which at first glance seems like a better bargain, the 70-200mm has a nice wide f stop and also comes with image stabilization which the 70-300 does not.

Check the price of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens at Amazon.

For more information, we also published a round up budget-friendly Nikon Telephoto Lenses

Macro Photography Lens

A great lens that fits most D series Nikon cameras is the Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Macro (available from Amazon)

If you’re not super into macro but just like to take a few macro shots here and there you can get a close-up lens attachment (like the Nikon D5300 10x High Definition 2 Element Close-Up (Macro) Lens (52mm) that goes from 1X to 10X and be quite happy with that unless you want to get serious.

Check out our roundup of best Nikon lenses.

Your Compact Camera

Here there is a real no brainer choice and that is the Canon G7X Mark ii.

The only real competition for it on the market is the Sony RX100 IV.

Both are available from Amazon:

The Canon G7X mark ii is the best low light compact on the market and the sound quality from its factory microphones will amaze you.

It has a full forward-facing flip-up screen that most people use for selfies.

However, there is another reason to use this screen in that position, Vlogging.

If you’re recording video with yourself in the frame you will absolutely love having a forward-facing screen, so you know if the top of your head is being cut off or if you’re in focus or not.

It has a very fair price point and the quality is so good it may just have you leaving your big rig at home more than you ever thought you might.

Photo lighting can be a complicated subject. In low-light situations outside of the studio, a flash is a must. Unfortunately, the bare bulb on the flash can create a bright blast of harsh light that is less than ideal for your photos. This can cause the shots to look washed out.

Combined with harsh shadows, the resulting photos may lack detail and appear overexposed. Your subjects may even have the dreaded red-eye, especially when shooting portraits.

With a speedlight modifier, you can alter the external flash to suit the conditions you are shooting in. You can diffuse or reflect the light for a softer or bolder look without the orange glow of a flash.

If you want more control over the on-camera flash, here’s everything you should know about using modifiers.

What Are Flash Modifiers?

First, what is a speedlight? It’s simply another name for an external flash. You may also see them referred to as on-camera flashes or hot shoe flashes, as they connect to the hot shoe mount on top of the camera.

The modifiers are components that attach to the on-camera flash to modify the light. These pieces of equipment come in a variety of designs and materials to provide different effects.

You can get modifiers that help diffuse the light, spreading it throughout the immediate area. You can also find modifiers that help reflect light or concentrate it at your subject.

These items basically increase the versatility of the on-camera flash. Instead of the harsh glare that you typically get from the bare bulb, you can choose to modify the lighting to get the desired effect you want for your shot.

Why Should You Consider Using a Speedlight Modifier?

The main reason to use a modifier is to gain more control over the bright flash.

The direct light that lands on your subject is often harsh. It can also create dark shadows and greater contrast between colors.

One solution is to direct the on-camera flash to reflect off another surface, such as a nearby wall or ceiling.

Unfortunately, you don’t always have access to a reflective surface. The walls or surfaces nearby may also cast an unflattering hue.

Flash modifiers help solve these problems. With the right conditions, you can make it appear as if you didn’t even use a flash.

If you need the light from the flash, but don’t want the traditional bad lighting that it provides, a modifier provides an easier solution.

Diffusers and Reflectors – What’s the Difference?

When you first start shopping for modifiers, it’s easy to get confused by the various options. Some of the most common choices include:

• Dome modifiers
• Softboxes
• Octaboxes
• Reflectors
• Diffusers

You can find many types of speedlight modifiers, but these contraptions mostly fall into one of two categories – diffusers and reflectors.

Diffusers help diffuse the light from the flash. Instead of a concentrated blast of harsh light that drops heavy shadows on the subject, the diffuser softens and spreads the light.

Reflectors provide a reflective surface when there are no other surfaces for the light to bounce off. Using a reflector modifier provides similar results to using a white photography umbrella. You get stronger light and a more consistent color and temperature.

Besides diffusers and reflectors, you may come across modifiers labeled as domes, softboxes, or octaboxes. While these terms describe the style of the modifier, the products still either diffuse or reflect light.

Dome Modifiers Help Diffuse Light

Domes are the most used modifiers, as there are many affordable options that do a good job of diffusing the light from the flash. As the name suggests, these modifiers are often dome-shaped.

The most basic domes are semi-translucent plastic caps that fit over the on-camera flash. It’s a simple way to instantly diffuse the light.

The Neewer Flash Bounce Light Diffuser Dome offers the perfect example of a simple, yet effective, dome modifier. It snaps into place in seconds. You can even store it on the flash, so it takes up no extra space in your photography bag.

While this modifier only fits the Nikon SB-900 flash units, there are many other domes with the same basic design. The dome just snaps on and snaps off. If you use a different flash, just search for the model number and include “dome modifier.”

Pros

• Diffuses light to help eliminate heavy shadows
• Reduces harsh glares and the orange hue of the flash
• Easy to mount on almost any on-camera flash
• The most affordable types of modifiers

Cons

• Does not spread the light very far

Check price of the Neewer Flash Bounce Light Diffuser Dome at Amazon.

Softboxes Provide a Larger Reflective Surface

A softbox helps diffuse light, but in a different way compared to the dome. As these modifiers typically have larger surfaces, they can help spread the light out further.

Keep in mind that the more you diffuse the light the softer it gets. These modifiers work best with powerful flashes.

The other issue is the size. Softboxes need to provide a larger surface, resulting in a larger piece of equipment that you need to attach to your camera. The larger size makes the modifier a little awkward to handle compared to the basic dome modifier.

If you want the larger surface without the hassle, the Kachifoto 2-Pack Flash Diffuser Reflector Set, is a great choice. The double-sided design works as a diffuser or reflector, depending on how you attach it to the flash.

The diffuser/reflector features an elastic strap that secures the softbox over the flash. You don’t need to snap it into place or worry about compatibility. It works with any flash.

One side of the modifier has a white surface to help soften and diffuse the light. When you flip it from the white side to the silver side, the reflector surface adds more power and contrast.

These modifiers are a little smaller compared to most softboxes, measuring just 8 x 7.5-inches. With the FOTOCREAT 12-Inch Portable Mini Round Soft Box, you get a slightly larger surface.

The design is still compact and easy to transport, but it doesn’t provide the double-sided surface. However, it does offer a black card on the back for helping to set white balance and exposure.

Pros

• Larger reflective surface spreads the light out more
• The extra diffusion helps eliminate shadows, giving your photos a more natural feel
• Despite the larger size, many softbox modifiers are still very affordable

Cons

• Due to the larger size, softboxes are less convenient for street photography

Check price of the FOTOCREAT 12-Inch Portable Mini Round Soft Box at Amazon.

Check price of the Kachifoto 2-Pack Flash Diffuser Reflector Set at Amazon.

Using Octaboxes

An octabox is a type of softbox with an octagonal design, resembling the eight sides of a typical white reflective umbrella. Basically, they’re portable umbrellas.

With the eight-sided configuration, these modifiers tend to feature collapsible designs that fold into compact shapes for easy storage and transport. This also allows the modifier to open to a much larger size, giving you more surface for reflecting additional light.

The Godox 120cm Portable Octagon Softbox offers over three feet of reflective surface for reflecting more light. The interior lining of the octabox features a silver reflective material, but it also comes with a white cloth cover to diffuse the light.

Pros

• Collapsible design allows for easier storage
• Larger reflective surface helps make better use of available light

Cons

• The larger size is even more awkward to use compared to the smaller softboxes

Check price of the Godox 120cm Portable Octagon Softbox at Amazon.

Modify Your Lighting with Attachable Reflectors

The final type of modifiers to consider using include reflectors. As with the diffusers, these products come in many sizes and styles for different lighting situations.

One of the main details to think about when choosing a reflector is the color. With gold reflectors, you can add warmth to the lighting, giving the scene a bit of an orange glow. Silver modifiers help spread the light out more without softening the shadows as a diffuser would.

Beauty dishes are a type of reflector with a silver surface. The Neewer Photo Studio 16-Inches Beauty Dish resembles a silver serving bowl or a flying saucer, with a silver interior.

The dish reflects light to let you bring more attention to facial features and catch the light in interesting ways. You can also cover it with a white diffuser sock to use the dish to soften and spread the light.

With these modifiers, you use the shadows to your advantage. You can highlight the features of your subject or create a more dramatic composition.

Pros

• The reflective surface helps highlight shadows and adds warmth
• Available in a wide variety of sizes and colors

Cons

• These modifiers provide less versatility

Check price of the Neewer Photo Studio 16-Inches Beauty Dish at Amazon.

Which Speedlight Modifier Should You Choose?

Flash modifiers give you more reason to keep the on-camera flash attached to your camera. With these products, you can easily recreate studio lighting when shooting on location.

Before choosing a modifier, ensure that it works with your flash. While many of these products provide universal designs, some only work with specific brands.

You should also consider how much equipment you want to transport.

If portability is key, consider using a compact dome modifier or one of the strap-on softboxes. If you want to diffuse more of the available light, the larger umbrella-style octaboxes have you covered.

Of course, if you want the most versatility, choose a modifier that works as a diffuser or reflector.

If you are a wedding, portrait, pet or generalist photographer and have been wanting to make a change with your business, and/or add an additional lucrative revenue stream, you may have considered offering your photography services to companies and small businesses (e.g. ‘commercial photography’).

You may have even been approached by some of these businesses to do work for them.

It’s exciting to think about, because the pay is often many multiples more than what you can charge private clients for the same time investment, but it can also feel overwhelming just getting started due to the lack of information available.

The good news is in this article I go over some simple steps that will help you get started offering commercial photography to clients on a scale that’s unintimidating, manageable and scalable.

Ready to get started? Let’s do it.

SIT DOWN AND BRAINSTORM YOUR NICHE AND IDEAL CLIENT(S)

This is a step that sadly many photographers overlook, but it’s also the most important one.

• Who do you want to shoot for?

• What do you want to be shooting?

• What kinds of people do you want to be working with?

YOU get to make those decisions.

How to find your ‘people’:

1. Pick up a stack of magazines and tear out the pages of the ads that really speak to you.
2. Make a list of the businesses that are local to you that have a style similar to what you love in those ads.

Maybe it’s the soft light and pastels in a women’s fragrance ad that really resonates with you, and there is a flower shop in your town that has the same aesthetics.

Or you dig the grittiness and masculinity in a liquor ad, and there’s a bar down the street from you that has the same vibe.

Or your heart sings at the bright colors and joy in a children’s clothing ad. And there’s a kid’s activity center in your city that has a similar feel.

When you are excited about working for companies whose brand you really love, you will produce your best work, which will make them fall in love with your work too. When clients really connect with your work, they hire you again, and also refer you to other companies they know.

Loving what you do is a win-win for everyone involved. This is why it’s important to decide ahead of time what kind of work you are passionate about creating, and who you want to create it for.

When creating your target client list, make a list of:

1. Brand vibe.
2. Type of customer that kind of company attracts. (Parents, pet owners, athletes, etc.)
3. Businesses in your area that fit within those styles & customers.

The reason why defining the brand vibe is important is because you will inevitably come upon (or get referred to!) other companies in the same brand vibe, and you’ll want to be open to shooting for them.

Plan to spend at least a few days on brainstorming your target customer, as this work will create the framework for your marketing plan.  

DRAFT A MARKETING GAMEPLAN

Treat your commercial photography as a whole separate business. Ideally you want a separate marketing plan to go along with it.

List all of the strategies you intend to employ to acquire your first corporate/business clients, the costs of each strategy, timelines and any deadlines you have.

Include the list of businesses you came up with above, and spell out how you will contact each one.

This will be easier to do after you finish reading this article.

ACQUIRE PRICING & BIDDING SOFTWARE

It’s very hard to provide accurate pricing for image licenses (the rights-managed ‘leasing fee’ you charge to clients for use of your images), without using any kind of pricing database/program. Many new commercial photographers resort to asking others what they charge, and then pull a number out of the air, which is never a good strategy.

So having software that you can use as a tool when calculating licensing fees can be extremely helpful.

Similarly, it can be challenging to bid on an agency job without bidding software. You really need both in order to provide fair pricing and appear to be the professional photographer that you are.

The two types of software that the majority of commercial photographers use are BlinkBid, and FotoQuote/FotoBiz X by Cradoc Software.

You can also use Getty Images’ pricing calculator for comparison but those suggested numbers cover every conceivable scenario/client size and are often significantly more than most commercial clients would ever pay.

CREATE A PORTFOLIO

Ideally you’ll have a separate website with only your photography that you’ll use to target and appeal to commercial clients.

Keep the branding simple, and include only your logo and galleries of your very best work. Your five star shots. Think: cream-of-the-crop. Plan to retouch every photo to perfection before placing it in a gallery.

Don’t be afraid to feature your best photos as full-screen photos. (If you don’t know what your best photos are, place a handful in a post in a photography group and ask other people which one is best!)

And if you don’t feel a photo is a high enough quality to display full-screen, then it shouldn’t be in your commercial photography portfolio. The key is to really impress a potential client with the quality of your work.

After you have some jobs under your belt, you will also place your ‘client list’ (a list of companies you have shot for), on that portfolio website. I go over the client list later in this article.  

PM YOUR CONTACTS AND ASK FOR REFERRALS

Think of which friends and family you could reach out to to help you pitch your commercial photography services to the companies they work for.

Maybe you decide to do a corporate headshot day, and you ask your friend or family for an ‘in’ with their marketing team.

Or you mention that you are doing product photography, and ask them if they know someone at their company you can contact to send you product you can photograph for your portfolio.

Take time to go through your friend’s list and see if any of them work at/for companies you’d love to work with.

Look at the relationships they have with other businesses in your community. Maybe they are friends with the owner of a local children’s boutique or pet store, and can send over a glowing referral.

A direct connection and ‘in’ is worth its weight in gold, and this can be valuable even if it’s not your ideal type of client (see #1 above), since the experience you are gaining is valuable all on it’s own.

Don’t be afraid to leverage the connections you already have when getting started in commercial photography.

In fact, it’s really the best thing you can do. If you build a career as a commercial photographer, that career will truly be built on connections.

DESIGN AND PRINT A MULTI-PAGE PROMO

If you want to work with bigger and more established local companies, you’ll probably need more than just a simple email sent to their marketing department.

That’s where a fancy printed promo comes into place.

Hire a designer to make a nice single or multiple page letter-sized high-quality printed promo filled with a handful of your very best photos, introducing yourself as a commercial photographer who admires their brand and would love to work with them.

Include all of your contact information and a link to where they can see more of your work.

Type a personalized letter to the company, explaining why you want to work with them (remembering how their brand resonates with you- see above), commenting on other campaigns they’ve done, and include your contact information. Keep the letter brief, friendly and direct.

You can decide to either include ‘rates start at’ or not, it’s up to you. There are risks in doing this and not doing this. Not including a simple starting rate may leave them assuming that they can’t afford you, when in reality they actually can.

Including rates may have them assume that you are too cheap or too expensive, when they aren’t getting the full picture of pricing for their own unique needs.

If you do decide to include ‘rates start at’ I recommend keeping it really simple, like ‘rates start at $850 for a full day shoot’, but don’t list inclusions or exclusions or mention licensing. And mention that rates are flexible and based on the the work involved in each project.

The goal when reaching out to potential commercial clients is really to get the conversation started, which is the hardest part. Once you are already talking to the company you can get into the details of rates.

Once you have the promo piece and letter, place them in a nice envelope and address it to the marketing department and mail it. (Even better is if you can find the marketing director’s name on LinkedIn.)

Sometimes you won’t hear back at all, and sometimes you won’t hear back for a long time, but this is par for the course. Do your best to follow up within ten days of mailing your letter, and don’t feel discouraged if you don’t hear back from them right away. I

I’ve had art buyers at ad agencies hold onto my contact info for years before reaching out, and I received a referral recently for a huge ad job from a client I shot for in 2008 and hadn’t spoken to since then, so you never know.  

Although sending a printed promo piece + letter is a small act, you never know what great opportunities can come from this small (and doable) effort.

PITCH TO LOCAL BUSINESSES YOU ALREADY KNOW

Think of the businesses you already patronize. Are you a regular at any of the stores, bars, restaurants, shops, etc in your area?

Do you have an established relationship with employees, servers, managers, etc?

If you answered yes, then pitch them!

Front line workers can be some of your biggest advocates, so don’t be afraid to sell yourself to them.

It could be something as simple as casually throwing in a “hey, do you guys ever work with photographers?” to your conversation, and gauging their reaction.

Be sure to have a polished portfolio on your phone and/or iPad with you that you can use to show them a few examples of your work. (Note- a few, not a hundred. Be respectful of the fact that these people are working.)

Since you are already familiar with the business, you can reference things in their marketing, like “I noticed the spring signage you put up in your windows. It looks great! I have a similar/even better/amazing idea I’d love to run by you if you are interested in hearing it.”

Pitching a local business in person can feel intimidating, but if they already know you and like you, you’ve won over half the battle right there.

REACH OUT TO LOCAL ASSISTANTS, PRODUCERS, DIGITECHS AND OTHER CREW

When you start doing the bigger jobs, you’ll need a team of people to help you pull them off.

You need a producer to tackle all of the little details and bring everything together.

You need a digitech to ingest the images to a laptop so your art/creative director client can preview them on set.

You need awesome assistants who can predict your needs, adjust lighting settings, hand you lenses and be your extra arms you wish you had on every shoot.

Be sure to locate and contact these people before your first big job, so you have established relationships already in place when that big job comes down the pike.  

You may also need one or more of these crew members for some of your smaller jobs as well.

Although your team may not necessarily help bring you new clients, having any kind of connection in the commercial photography world is valuable, as you never know who you’ll meet through knowing them.

ADD CLIENT NAMES TO YOUR CLIENT LIST

Add the name of each business you have shot for to your client list.

This goes a long way when it comes to building trust with new companies that you have never worked for before, especially if you are asking them to pay you a fair market value daily photography fee + licensing fees.

You don’t need to get fancy and include logos of your clients, the majority of commercial photographers usually just include a bulleted list of client names on their about page.

And don’t feel bad if most of the brands on your initial client list are unknowns. The key is just to show potential new clients that other companies trusted you enough to work with you. And that’s huge.

PITCH BIGGER COMPANIES

After you have solid experience shooting for small and local companies under your belt, and feel confident in:

1. Your photography abilities in a variety of different (and potentially challenging) circumstances, with different talent in different locations.
2. Your pricing.
3. Your processes.
4. Your contracts.
5. Your team.

You are ready to start pitching bigger clients for better and higher-paying jobs.

All of the work you’ve done up until this point is to that end- to make more money and do more fulfilling work.

And what photographer doesn’t want more of both?

Hope you found this article helpful for getting started in commercial work and adding an additional revenue stream to your business!

For heavy telephoto lenses, you need a sturdy tripod. The tripod that you buy should support the weight of the camera, along with the lens.

Heavy-duty tripods are available at many different price points. The differences are in material and design and the choice depends on your preference and your budget.

One thing to note here: while the tripods mentioned here perform well with typical DSLR telephoto lenses, if you have a full-frame camera or an extremely long lens (greater than 300 mm), a budget pick may not be the best bet.

A solid pick in the budget category is the Newer Tripod (Style III)

Factors to consider

Maximum Load

When choosing a heavy-duty tripod, you need to consider the maximum load capacity. Every tripod has a maximum limit depending on the size of the camera. If you have a heavy camera, buy a tripod that will be able to support the weight. Some tripod cameras can support up to 30 pounds of weight.

Tripod Leg Design

Carbon fiber, aluminum, and magnesium are typical materials used in the tripod legs. Steel is sometimes used as well.

Carbon fiber tripods are usually at the higher end of the price spectrum. An aluminum tripod will typically be more affordable.

For heavy lenses tripods, rigid legs and durable construction are important features.

Steel is a strong material for heavy-duty tripods, but it is also very heavy.

Aluminum is a good material for heavy-duty tripods, but it can be expensive. Aluminum can be made strong support the extra weight without making the tripod itself too bulky.

Carbon fiber is a suitable material although it may not be best when it comes to supporting the heaviest cameras. It’s one of the lightest weight options that still provides good strength, but the cost typically would put it outside the budget category.

Head Type

A tripod is not just about the legs. The type of head that is used is also important. The tripod head the part that the camera attaches to, so it’s important to pick one that suits your needs.

There are several types of tripod heads, with the ball head and the pan-tilt head being the most common.

Ball heads are popular with beginners because they are easy to use. Advanced users might find the pan-tilt head best for more professional projects.

Tripod Feet

The design of the tripod feet is also an important consideration. The feet of the tripod will contribute to the stability of the tripod and camera.

Always make sure that the feet can balance the weight of the tripod. For heavy-duty tripods, it is important to have feet with rubber padding so that you can keep the tripod in position even in uneven areas.

Center Column

You should consider a tripod that is equipped with a center column. The center column is good because it will enhance the stability of the tripod. You can also use it to raise and lower the camera.

Most of the tripods with a center column can be converted into a monopod, which is a nice option for added flexibility.

Best Camera Tripods for Heavy Lenses

Neewer Camera Tripod Style III

The Neewer Camera Tripod is an aluminum tripod that can support a 26.5 pound camera load, suitable for many DSLR cameras.

The 360-degree ball head makes the tripod ideal for shooting in many different positions. The center column can also be rotated horizontally, giving added flexibility for shooting at unusual angles.

Adjustment height is up to 75 inches for the Style III. It’s also available in a shorter version (Style II) which has a max height of 64 in.

Pros

Portable

This tripod is easy to carry because it folds into compact design easily the press of a button on top of the stand. It also comes with a bag that makes it easy you carry around when traveling.

Use it as a monopod

the Neewer tripod can be converted into a monopod. To turn it into a monopod, all you have is to do is unscrew the parts, and the center will remain as the monopod.

Horizontal flexibility

To capture different angles, the tripod has a rotating ball head. The head of the tripod can be rotated up to 360 degrees. It has a smooth rotation, and you can swing it in different directions.

Another unique feature is that the center column can be adjusted 360° horizontally to help capture unique shots.

Stability

The non-slip feet keep the tripod in position when shooting. The solid aluminum build also adds to the stability of the tripod.

Cons

Because of the range of adjustments, you might experience some challenges trying to set it up and adjust it.

Check price of the Newer Tripod on Amazon.

ZoMei Z818

The ZoMei Z818 is a lightweight tripod made from aluminum and is well suited for heavy cameras. It’s strong enough and well balanced to support heavy lenses.

The ZoMei Z818 max height 65 inches, and adjusts down to 22 in, depending on your needs.

It also can be converted to a monopod, which is helpful for certain shooting situations.

Pros

Foldable

The tripod is easily foldable for travel. You can fold it up to 18 inches to fit into a compact travel bag.

The legs include twist locks, which are easy to use and lock securely.

Portable

This is a heavy-duty tripod but is still lightweight. It’s built from a combination of magnesium and aluminum makes it lightweight and easy to carry on your outdoor trips.

Monopod

The tripos can be converted to a monopod by removing the center column and screwing in one of the legs.

All Weather

The ZoMei Z818 is all weather. The finish is resistant to corrosion, so it can tolerate extreme sunlight and also rain.

Stability

For added stability, the center column has a counterweight hook that can be used to provide additional stability.

A quick-release plate is included and includes a level, which is a nice touch.

The ball head of the tripod is separate, and it has a lock knob to keep the camera and the tripod in position.

Cons

Some users have reported a greasy film on the tripod, or extra grease on the legs. So in some cases, it may require some cleanup before first use.

Check price of the ZoMei Z818 on Amazon.

Cayer BV30L – 72 Inch

This twin-tube tripod is made of aluminum. It has a K3 fluid head that is good for rotation and interchanging lenses.

With this tripod, you can load up to 13.2 lb of weight on it, suitable for a reasonable size DSLR and lens.

It also has a quick-release feature for easy use. You will also love the mid-level support that adds to the stability and helps steady the camera.

Pros

Stability

For enhanced stability, the tripod has a mid-level spreader that keeps the legs in a locked position. The legs stay locked in one position to support the weight of your camera.

Versatility

This tripod has a tilt and drag head with a good range of adjustment so you can point the camera in all directions.

It’s also well suited to cameras with interchangeable lenses. It is easy to change the lens without removing the camera from the tripod.

Foldable

The BV30L folds up to a fairly compact 33 inches for easy portability. That’s pretty compact for a tripod with a max height of 72 inches. It also comes with a carrying bag for travel purposes.

Cons

A little bit heavy if you are planning to carry the tripod the whole day. It’s slightly heavier than some of the others mentioned here, so you might the weight a bit.

Check price of the Cayer BV30L on Amazon.

VILTROX VX-18M

The VILTROX VX-18M tripod is a solid performer that supports up to 13.2 pounds of camera weight and has a max adjustment height of 72 inches.

It comes with a pan-tilt fluid drag head, which allows for smooth panning when shooting video.

It also has a sliding quick release plate that uses a standard 1/4″-20 mounting screw.

Pros

Flexible

For action sports, this tripod can spin up to 360 degrees making it ideal for shooting those fast moments. The fluid drag head makes it flexible for shooting video.

Stability

The tripod remains stable even when balancing a heavy camera. To enhance stability, the foot is made of a non-slip rubber material and is textured to help to keep the tripod in position.

The horseshoe-shaped footpad is a unique design that gives it a slightly larger platform for the legs and adds a little added stability.

Maximum Load

The VX-18M can support up to 13.2 pounds, which makes it suitable for a heavy camera and lens combo.

Ease of Use

This heavy-duty camera is easy to use. It has a ball diameter for adjusting the legs and also sliding QR plate to slide the camera out of the tripod quickly.

Cons

Heavy this is a compact and foldable camera, but it is still a little heavy to carry.

Check price of the VILTROX VX-18M on Amazon.

COMAN KX3636

The KX3636 is a heavy-duty aluminum tripod that is ideal for professional cameras. With a maximum load capacity of 13.2 lbs, it is suitable for heavy cameras.

The twin-tube legs and Q5 fluid head make it perfect for stability.

The COMAN KX3636 height adjusts from 33″ up to 74″.

Pros

Rigid design and build

The KX36363 tripod is made from aluminum, so it is strong enough to support heavy cameras. Aluminum also performs well in all types of weather conditions.

Stability

This tripod has a mid spreader which adds stability, especially when using it on uneven ground. It also has rubber padding on the foot to prevent the camera from sliding.

Tilt Pan Tripod Head

The tripod head can tilt both horizontally and vertically. It can pan 360 degrees horizontally and tilt 90 degrees vertically and has independent locks for each. This makes it easy to capture different angles and positions without moving the entire camera.

The tripod head also has a bowl under it with a built-in level so you can adjust the position to keep your camera at a level without adjusting the legs.

Cons

Some users have reported that the had movement is not as smooth as some higher-end tripod heads.

Check price of the COMAN KX3636 on Amazon.

Conclusion

When choosing a heavy lens tripod, the main consideration is finding one that meets your required stability standards. Check the maximum weight of the tripod to make sure that it can support the camera. Also, make sure that it is easy to adjust whenever the need arises.