Growing Family Photography

My fiance and I are getting married in April 2009. We currently live in Michigan but grew up in Schererville, Indiana (where most of our family is). We're looking for a photographer that does full-day coverage and is reasonably priced (but not cheap!). Thanks!

My cousin went w/ Southshore Photography for her wedding. They travel to Northwest Indiana locations. The photographers did an awesome job...plus she got engagement portraits too. I just booked with them for a family portrait session since I liked her pics so much.

Hope this helps.

2008-08-26 16:28:11 by Justine

// created at animoto.com

Hi! I'm looking to find out the major differences between the Canon 50D and the 5D Mark II? I am a first time D-SLR buyer, and have narrowed my options down to these 2. I mainly enjoy taking photographs of people, primarily babies. Right now, I only take pictures of family as a serious hobby, but I'd like to have the right camera to grow with me in the case I want to take the next step. What are the major differences between the 2 cameras? Which is a better camera for portrait photography? (Mainly in non-studio, indoor/and outdoor settings). Which is the best lens to purchase for each of these for portrait photography? Please answer if you get a chance! Thank you so much for your help!
David M - You made SUCH A GOOD POINT about the flash! I am SO glad I read that, because I had no idea! I have no idea how to use a shoe mount flash, so you really helped make my decision. That being said... By "pop up flash" do you mean the flash that just flips up and down when you turn on the camera? (For example.. My husband has the rebel XS camera.... is the flash similar to this in the way it flips up and down automatically?)
If anyone has any comparisons between what I can expect the same/or differently between a 50D and the Rebel XS, please feel free to share. (when it comes to picture quality... size of camera, etc)
Lastly, Casperskitty - you said I have to start thinking about flash and lighting... What did you mean by this? Do I have to buy additional parts that I do not know about? You had the Rebel (like my husband's), do you have any comparisons to a 50D that you know of?
THANK YOU EVERYONE! You've seriously helped me more than anyone else online! Thank you!!!
Thank you so much for your very detailed and thoughtful responses!!! You all gave great advice, and I decided to go with the 50D, per your advice So that being said, if you're still reading this post, please help me with follow up questions!
I'll warn you all in advance - I have not been professionally trained so I'm not familiar with correct terminology for things
MixedMojo - You spoke of the "wide angle" of the 5D compared to 50D. Is this very important if i'm just taking a picture of say 1 person, or in particular, 1 baby? having chosen the 50D, do you have a different reccomendation for me as far as which lens is the best for me to buy? Price is no object, and again, I mainly need this camera for taking picture of 1 person or a very small group (3 or 4) people at a time. Never pictures of landscape, or large groups of people. Mainly, I take pictures of babies. Also, I do not use studio lighting. It's mainly indoors in crappy, normal lighting... And/or very occasionally outside

The 5D MKII is probably the finest camera around for landscapes and portraits. The problem is that it is really not a beginners camera. If you don't know how to use it properly then it is a big waste of money. This camera is not like an expensive point and shoot. You need to know how to expose your shots manually. Also be aware that it does not have a pop up flash. If you need a flash you will have to buy a shoe mount flash. These will cost between $350 and $500.
As far as lenses go be ready to open your wallet some more. There is no sense in my opinion of buying a camera like this and not putting top quality lenses on it. These are not cheap. Typical portrait length on a full frame camera is between 85mm and 105mm. There are a few choices as far as lenses go. The Canon 24-105 F4L ($1,039) is a good general purpose lens that fits in the size requirements. A faster or larger aperture and sharper lens would be the Canon 85mm F1.2L at about $1,800. For a lens that is a little longer the Canon 135mm F2L is another good choice at about $940.

The 50D is a great camera and will do what you want very well. It is also considerably cheaper. While I would still recommend you buy very good lenses there are some cheaper models you could use with this camera. This camera uses a smaller sensor than the 5D and therefore provides extra magnification than a full frame camera. You have to multiply the lens length by 1.6 to get the equivalent focal length on the 50D. So a 100mm lens act like a 160mm lens would on the 5D. With the crop factor your portrait length lenses are now in the 50-60mm range. I would recommend any of the following lenses.
Canon 50mm F1.4 $350 or the F1.2L $1,400
Canon 24-70 F2.8L $1,100
Canon 24-105 F4L $1039.
Canon 60mm macro $385
Canon 85mm F1.8 $355 or the 1.2L $1,800

Bottom line though is if you have the money and are willing to learn how to use it properly the 5D MKII is by far the better choice. If you don't have that much money the 50D is also a very good choice. It is a bit more user friendly and will be a good camera to learn on. Spend your money now on lenses and in a couple of years you can upgrade to the latest 5D version when you will really appreciate it.

Edit:
By pop up flash I am referring to the flash like on your husbands camera. Any of the second set of lenses I mentioned would be good. The EF 24-70mm F2.8L would be my choice if money was not a concern. You will notice no difference in image quality between the XS and 50D. The 50D is a better more rugged camera. It is also quicker and easier to change the manual settings. Looking at a normal print there will be no difference at all. Where you will notice a difference is with the lens you use.

2009-02-19 08:46:50 by jjcar1234

Price: $17.95

I'm trying to figure out what to do with my life. I have 3 kids and I am married. I want to go back to school and get an education. I have a GED because I dropped out of high school due to an unplanned pregnancy. I would love to be able to support myself and my three kids financially by myself if I ever needed to. The problem is that I can't find my passion in life.
I do like photography,animals and nature. But I just feel like I'm not really good at anything. I grew up in a very dysfunctional family (which probably led to the early pregnancy). Basically I have no one I can really count on for support. So is there anywhere I can go where I can be motivated and led in the right direction? I really want to succeed in life and I want my children to be proud of me.
I think kids that have supportive parents or parent growing up do better in school. I couldn't concentrate in school because of what was happening at home. and I am not blaming my parents. i just want some support thats all. there is nothing wrong with that.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

Your GED will get you into a college. Make sure first that you got your family situated, so that you can go to school. Since you have a husband, this is certainly possible as colleges make you usually go at various times a day instead of the 7:30 - 2:30 high school curriculum. I've seen single mothers get a college education and still have time for their kids.

You can be motivated if you list the goals that you want to come out of this and how it'll make you a better person and have a better life. (i.e. for security and for your children, etc.) Also, think of it this way: you will be good at something if you acquire a Bachelor's degree although I think that you are good at something, but you just don't give yourself any credit.

If you like photography, animals, and nature, you should consider looking into zoology, wildlife management, photography (for both nature and the news reporting if you'd be interested in that too). Also, try environmental science/engineering.

If you want a better idea of what you're looking for, research the majors that I listed by using Google, Wikipedia, etc. I recommend though talking with a counselor at a nearby colleges/universities to see what will work best with your interests. After all, that it their job. Bigger colleges will typically offer a larger variety of majors.

Remember: it's not where you go, it's what you make of it.

Oh yeah, photography is sometimes offered as a major, but it's usually under the major: Mass Communications. Also, try minoring in an environmental field if you decide to go the way of photography.

2007-09-02 11:36:36 by ♥sunshine♥

Price: $5.95 $5.95

I am a print news reporter with more than 3 years of experience in reporting, not including my work for my college paper. I have done layout and page design, copy editing, photography, web design and I have written on a huge variety of topics from education to government to business.

But my reporter's paycheck is not supporting my growing family's needs, and I'd like to move to PR.

In college, I took nearly enough PR classes for a minor in the subject, but I have never worked a strictly PR job.

Based on this, what do you think? Would I be an attractive candidate for someone looking for a PR representative? What can I say in an interview setting? What things do employers look for in this industry?

You need to apply to Al Fayed (of Harrods). He likes to employ reporters and journalists.

good luck.

2008-04-18 11:01:03 by Jeff

I'm a 19 (almost 20) year-old photography student who's ready to leave my parents house for the first time. Like many youngsters I considered NYC and was quite serious about moving in with some great friends who are from Brooklyn. However, just recently I've developed a serious interest for Providence, I already know Providence and RI in general are very beautiful and quite laid back. I grew up in the Midwest, but am very familiar with New England and have friends and family all over the Northeast, so moving there wouldn't cause a culture shock or anything. -- But is it good for a first-timer, living on my own? Hard to get by in that city? Any help from native Rhode Islanders would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I moved to Rhode Island from Kansas 5 years ago.
I was 20 years old then.
I think you would like it.

The cost of living is much lower here than in New York and Boston.

You can learn more about Providence here.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Providence -Rhode-Island.html

2007-09-04 20:22:58 by Clam Chowdah