After about a year or so of getting my name out there, doing alot of pro-bono work etc, I'm starting to get some actual paying gigs doing events, fundraisers and other corporate and entertainment type jobs. Now that I'm actually getting cash coming in instead of going out I want to sit down and make a priority list of how I want to reinvest in my business. Here's what my kit consists of right now:
Canon 30D w/grip
Canon Elan 7 w/grip
Canon 85mm f1.2 MkI
Canon 50mm f1.4
Canon 70-300mm IS
Tamron 28-75mm f2.8
Canon 430EX
Gary Fong Lightsphere and other flash modifiers etc
Light stand a couple types of umbrella's
Cactus Flash remote set
Here's a list of what I'm considering purchasing in the next 6 months:
- Canon 70-200 or 70-200 F4 IS or 70-200 F2.8 IS (I'll deal with this debate once I decide on a lense in this range
- Canon 580EX
- A second body (50D or 5D most likely)
- Canon 17-40mm F4
- a suit (I'm guessing jeans and a dress shirt won't always cut it)
What should my priority be? And can anyone thing of something I should get that I've overlooked?
Also, I'm thinking that if I go for one of the 70-200 options I can sell my 70-300, and if I go for a 5D I can probably stick with the 28-75mm on a full frame for now.
Get a second body first. I've had a body fail at a critical moment back when I had a single body on hand, and I ended up walking away from 60% of a sports event that I was shooting. It was NOT a paid gig - so it was not a really big deal - but I was just starting to think about weddings at that time, and it was a good time to learn the lesson.
Second, I'd say the 70-200.
The the rest is whenever you have the budget and need for those items.
As for the suit.... I almost NEVER wear one. I show up in a nice pair of black dress slacks, full sleeve shirt (usually black with a gold tie as my cards are done in black and gold and it's a nice look for me) or sometimes white with a black tie. Total wardrobe budget was under $100! Of course some events are ideal for jeans and tees - it depends where and what you're shooting!
