Advise on Recommended Equipment

Howdy everyone, I've been on PT awhile now, posted a few galleries of my stuff (Would LOVE your feedback if you've got time) www.photographytalk.com/components/com_k...cons/thtoppoints.gif

My thread tonight is about equipment. I have a good camera (Canon t1i) and a pretty solid working knowledge of cameras (thanks to 4 years majoring in photography in HS and year and half in college)
Additionally I have:
18-55mm Canon lens
55-250 Canon lens
55mm Canon lens

I am finally getting myself going with a real business vs all the "Oh I love the pictures you took at 'such and such' event... can I have a copy?" stuff where I used to just hand them over. I've decided to try to make some side money off this. I think I have a pretty good eye and I KNOW I have a good rapport with kids (I left photography in college to become a teacher) and I love taking their picts.

But my problem now is acquiring external equipment other than lenses. All of my photo shoot's are outdoors, usually at a local park because I don't have anything other than the pop up flash on my camera. I would LOVE an external flash but with a $500+ price tag, I can't afford that (I have a FT job with a software co and am putting hubby through Pharmacy college).

What are you using that would be a worthwhile investment for me? I want to know what kind of equipment is worth buying. If it takes some saving up for a piece here and there, I am ready to do it, but without other photographer friends using great equipment to reference, I am so afraid of spending my hard earned money on something that turns out to not be what I need.

If I do indoor photography right now, I make sure I have lots of natural light and just rely on editing to brighten my photos. Although I did just buy Professor Kobre's Light Scoop from PhotoJoJo. I havent had a chance to play with it yet so no real review available.

Sorry I rambled. I'm new to posting in forums! But I need help!!! Any/All advice would be appreciated TY

First off . I do not think I can be a lot of help to you as I am not in to people photography. One thing I can recommend is a Yongnuo flash they have several different models I am on a tight budget so I got the cheapest one the YN462 and it was only $35.00. Just go to e-bay and do a search.

thanks, I'll look that up now I am doing mostly people photography bc plants cant pay...but Ansel Adams is my idol and I prefer landscape photography

My favorite aspect of photography is macro. I love the little details.

Me too! I havent posted much of that in my galleries yet but I have some I'm really proud of I would like to upload and show off

If you like macro I would recommend a set of extension tubes. I have a set that I just love. Right now a macro lens is out of the question and they give me the ability to use my telephoto lens for macros.

If you want to do photography for money, learn how to run a business. The most successful photographers arent the most talented at the craft...but at marketing.

As for gear...dont go cheap on lighting...it'll show in your work.

ive been very blessed that I have a great friend who was my first customer. She has since brought me many new clients and I am actually in charge of marketing materials for the software company I work for so I've been learning a lot about marketing with that and I am able to apply it to my photo business too mostly though it's just for fun money...for pedicures, movie dates and new equipment!!!

I went to eBay and bought some of the Canon 550EX flashes. They aren't the latest model, but there is very little that a 580 does that the 550 can't do. Because they are older, they don't sell for anything like the new price of a 580 - I think I paid around $200 a year ago. I have just bought the lightbender flash attachment, which worked very well at a recent wedding (I was a guest, not the photographer) but it did a sterling job at providing fill in flash on both individual portraits and groups.

Steve

i would say a decent 5 in 1 reflector and a flash (as stated above you can find some cheap flashes)