Equine Photography Opinions and Suggestions (Lenses & Pricing)

[AMK]

I am a self-taught equine photographer, and I have a small business doing what I love. I have had a lot of compliments on my work, but I feel that as my business grows, I need to grow. I would like lens suggestions for Canon, specifically their “L series” lenses, and why you would use/ recommend them. I have been using just a 50 mm 1.4 for portraits, as that is my specialty. While this lens works great for still, up-close shots, it doesn’t cut it for riding or shots of any distance. I have been considering the 70-200mm, but cannot decide between the f/2.8 and f/4. I’d love to see what recommendations you guys have. I’m indecisive…I’ve read the factual pros and cons, but I’d just like your opinions.

I am also curious about pricing. I know this topic has many “ifs”, “ands,” or “buts.” I know it depends on skill level, location, time spent on post-processing, etc… but I would just like ideas and thoughts on that whether it is from a buyer/client perspective or your personal experience. I would consider myself to be skilled at what I do, and also handy with photoshop and extra artistic/creative skills with image shooting and editing. I am just not sure if I have undercut myself with pricing. I want to be affordable, but I also would like to be valued and paid for the time I spend on my work. I currently allow clients to choose the images they want. I charge on a per image basis so that the client has control on what they spend. Some images I will do basic post-processing, while others, I will do advanced editing (usually about 2-4 hours of photoshop).

For those of you that have had a photography session with your horse, what did you like and not like about your session? For those of you that are photographers, what lenses do you prefer, and how do you calculate your pricing?

Thanks!

[ryansgirl]

2.8. I just bought the 2.8 70-200 for my Nikon about a month ago and so far I’ve been very happy with it. Not cheap at all but Best Buy was offering 10% off and zero percent financing. Tamron also had a $300 rebate so it was a no-brainer for me as I’ve wanted that lens for at least a few years. I don’t think you can go wrong with the 2.8.

[ecileh]

I agree on the 2.8.

I shoot with a Nikon (and my 2.8 is a Sigma) and the 2.8 70-200 is my go-to lens for shows. Fast enough to get jumping, and delivers beautiful portrait work in-hand.

My photo partner shoots with a Canon and has a 2.8 L Series 200–it’s a very nice lens, but I don’t think it’s actually any higher quality than my Sigma, which cost a fraction of the price. Sigma also makes Canon mount lenses.

Before I invested in my 2.8, I rented several “big” lenses to test at shows–you might want to try that to get a real feel for what you want and how heavy they are to lug around all day.

[ryansgirl]

Good point about the weight. My Nikon D7100 combined with my 2.8 is extremely heavy - I really need to look into a good tripod or monopod. My hand/arm starts to hurt even after just shooting for a few minutes when I just hold it by hand.

[RacetrackReject]

I shoot Nikon but have the 70-200 2.8 and I love it. I have 2 actually, but one is not Nikon and you can tell the difference. I also have 50 mm and 35 mm primes that I use as well.
My nifty fifty is what I use the most for portrait work, but I do tend to break out the 70-200 at every shoot as well. I think it’s a great complement to the primes, but I also shoot sports.

Here are a few samples with the 70-200 2.8, some from portrait sessions and some just candids from events I was shooting:

https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15000243_10210617822820132_3358957964455513448_o.jpg?oh=7495c7d126d644c3909386d1247bdec0&oe=58DCCF24

https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/14976754_10210541437230540_3414836360267937539_o.jpg?oh=f4b1e7b805d244bb715924afd240bbcd&oe=59206E72

https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14657496_1308006495890199_4394067240362522416_n.jpg?oh=18a79191a0d7563e7f0ca0de7d4665e1&oe=58EC1365

https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14457345_1286419341382248_1290598125300613366_n.jpg?oh=c3cca1bcddf58e77e1185f7df5fdff10&oe=591EA31D

https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-0/p526x296/14231286_10209983762289015_5366938135175507656_o.jpg?oh=05d91fc50d6d04889251424d5af94d7b&oe=59225B63

Sorry, completely missed your pricing question. It can vary greatly by what the market will bear in your area. I generally do a mini type session for $150 (sometimes run as a special for $75) that is 30 minutes and they get 10 edited digital photos in an online gallery. For $300 you can get access to all edited photos, but again, that’s just digital content. Canvases and prints are extra, but you do get a print release for the photos that I release to you. That’s pretty cheap for many places, but works for my area and my market. I actually prefer not to do portraits, but it’s quick, easy money.

[walktrot]

We are fortunate to have a local professional photographer who contributes extensively to Equus and The Horse magazines, among others, and does books and senior pictures and so forth.

She charged $30 for the session with one 8x11 print (one full size or 2 small) and $30 for each additional print. She loads everything into her laptop and you go through them and pick out what you want. She prices this way based on having several clients at a barn on that day. When I used to run Barn Day for the boarders for spring shots and dental, she would come to shoot anything and everything to build up her stock photos. Sign a standard release and you could wind up in print one day.

She did shots of my Paint gelding several years ago. The one amazing print I have is a spectacular head shot that she took in the doorway to the barn. Whatever lens and settings she used, it came out with a totally black background behind his face, mostly bald but with lots of sorrel around his eyes. The horse is smiling. There is something about the expression in his eye and his mouth, that I swear he is smiling. And there is no way it is photoshopped as you can see the little wisps of forelock and whiskers, which would disappear if she was cheating.

Her name is Dusty Perin, and I know she is on Facebook and has a website too.

[VelvetsAB]

I did a photo shoot with my favourite schoolie early this year, because it had been decided that he was going to have one last summer on grass with his best buddy to enjoy retirement…and then they were both going to go over Rainbow Bridge in late fall, together.

The young lady that did mine charged $100 for about an hour and half-ish of time, with the option of an outfit change. It included 5 digital images, and 5 prints. She would also post an online gallery (watermarked). There happens to be 37 in mine. However, I do believe I was the last one at that rate, and she bumped up to $150, if I remember correctly.

She brought an assistant with her, to help with getting ears perked for the photos. I am definitely glad that the assistant was there to help, as I potentially could have had difficulty finding someone to have been there for this.

She did do a black background photo of just Schoolie, and while she was editing, sent a message asking if I preferred the straight black or more of a grey/matte style. She included pictures of both, so I could see and choose with better understanding. Schoolie also had a scar on his chest, and she asked if I wanted that removed or left as is.

I got lucky, and she had everything edited in two days, and I was able to pick up the prints within two weeks.

Since the Old Man is now gone, I have asked for a price so I can get the remaining photos in digital images, with no watermark. She’s away at university, so it is taking some time to get them. But considering she was so quick with the first group (and really, I’m still mourning the loss of him), I’m okay with the wait.

Photographer also does some local schooling series, some shows in a Trillium zone, and some OUEA (university series) shows.

Her pricing for last year was:

Digitals:
$5 for Social Media Digital (Low res. dig, small watermark. SM use only)
$20 for Full Quality Digital (High res dig, watermark free, print quality)

Prints:
Singles-- $10 for 4x6, $15 for 5x7, $20 for 8x10.
Bulk (5+)-- $7 for 4x6, $12 for 5x7, $15 for 8x10.

Canvases and larger prints could be ordered, and price given upon request.

They definitely weren’t Walmart prints, and I don’t think they were Blacks either. I keep meaning to ask where she got them from.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l200/Velvets_Angel_Blue/Stephanie-Digital%201%20of%205.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l200/Velvets_Angel_Blue/Stephanie-Digital%204%20of%205.jpg

(**Note: I normally don’t condone sitting down in front of a horse. If it hadn’t been this specific, broke to death, slow moving, cookie monster of an old man, I wouldn’t have done it.)

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l200/Velvets_Angel_Blue/Stephanie-Digital%202%20of%205.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l200/Velvets_Angel_Blue/Stephanie-Digital%203%20of%205.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l200/Velvets_Angel_Blue/Stephanie-Digital%205%20of%205.jpg

[Where_sMyWhite]

Also look at refurb lenses. I got my Nikon f2.8 70-200 refurb’d directly from Nikon.

Yeah, it’s heavy but I’ve gotten used to it (and it’s not as have as my longer lenses are). I do have other focal length lenses but this lens is on my camera probably 85-90% of the time. However, I don’t really do portrait… more landscape and birds and the occasional bug The long lens lets you stay out of the bird’s or bug’s “personal space” and still get good photos.

[AMK]

Thank you so much for the thorough reply! I appreciate it. Also, nice shots! It is helpful to see samples with the 70-200mm 2.8. I think I am sold on my decision, since the 2.8 has been a popular recommendation.

I really like your pricing setup too. Do you allow them to choose the photos for the mini session, or do you select which photos they get?

[AMK]

Thank you so much for the thorough reply! I appreciate it. Also, nice shots! It is helpful to see samples with the 70-200mm 2.8. I think I am sold on my decision, since the 2.8 has been a popular recommendation.

I really like your pricing setup too. Do you allow them to choose the photos for the mini session, or do you select which photos they get?

[AMK]

[QUOTE=RacetrackReject;8999452]
I shoot Nikon but have the 70-200 2.8 and I love it. I have 2 actually, but one is not Nikon and you can tell the difference. I also have 50 mm and 35 mm primes that I use as well.
My nifty fifty is what I use the most for portrait work, but I do tend to break out the 70-200 at every shoot as well. I think it’s a great complement to the primes, but I also shoot sports.

Here are a few samples with the 70-200 2.8, some from portrait sessions and some just candids from events I was shooting:

https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15000243_10210617822820132_3358957964455513448_o.jpg?oh=7495c7d126d644c3909386d1247bdec0&oe=58DCCF24

https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/14976754_10210541437230540_3414836360267937539_o.jpg?oh=f4b1e7b805d244bb715924afd240bbcd&oe=59206E72

https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14657496_1308006495890199_4394067240362522416_n.jpg?oh=18a79191a0d7563e7f0ca0de7d4665e1&oe=58EC1365

https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14457345_1286419341382248_1290598125300613366_n.jpg?oh=c3cca1bcddf58e77e1185f7df5fdff10&oe=591EA31D

https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-0/p526x296/14231286_10209983762289015_5366938135175507656_o.jpg?oh=05d91fc50d6d04889251424d5af94d7b&oe=59225B63

Sorry, completely missed your pricing question. It can vary greatly by what the market will bear in your area. I generally do a mini type session for $150 (sometimes run as a special for $75) that is 30 minutes and they get 10 edited digital photos in an online gallery. For $300 you can get access to all edited photos, but again, that’s just digital content. Canvases and prints are extra, but you do get a print release for the photos that I release to you. That’s pretty cheap for many places, but works for my area and my market. I actually prefer not to do portraits, but it’s quick, easy money.[/QUOTE]

Thank you so much for the thorough reply! I appreciate it. Also, nice shots! It is helpful to see samples with the 70-200mm 2.8. I think I am sold on my decision, since the 2.8 has been a popular recommendation.

I really like your pricing setup too. Do you allow them to choose the photos for the mini session, or do you select which photos they get?

[poltroon]

The difference between f/2.8 and f/4 sounds small but in practice that extra light gets you so much more control - you can use a faster shutter and have more depth of field options, and your ability to get sharp, useful pictures is significantly improved. This is true even if it means you have to crop the final image. I don’t have experience with those two specific lenses, but in general.

[AMK]

[QUOTE=poltroon;9000757]
The difference between f/2.8 and f/4 sounds small but in practice that extra light gets you so much more control - you can use a faster shutter and have more depth of field options, and your ability to get sharp, useful pictures is significantly improved. This is true even if it means you have to crop the final image. I don’t have experience with those two specific lenses, but in general.[/QUOTE]

Definitely agree. The only kicker is that the extra light comes with a nice little price tag. I’d like to get the 2.8 mark II, but at around 2k, I’m considering going with the Mark I until I have enough saved to exchange it for the II.

[poltroon]

The way I solved the price tag problem was to go with a prime lens instead of a zoom.

You might consider renting the lenses you’re considering also, see if you want to pay the extra.

[tm1]

You can check this site for lens ratings that include sharpness, chromatic aberration, distortion, etc:

https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Ratings

The most recent version of the 70-200 USM Mark II f/2.8 is the sharper lens vs. the f/4. While it is tempting to go with a used lens, be sure that it is the USM Mark II - there is a big upgrade in sharpness between that and the older models.

As for pricing, remember that as a business (and the moment you charge for your services, you are acting as a business) you will be declaring what you make as taxable income. To be sustainable you must take taxes, and all other expenses involved in creating the photo, into consideration. Look to the photographers that have been in business more than a year or two: they are the ones that have figured out what they need to charge in order to survive.

Happy shooting!

[RacetrackReject]

[QUOTE=AMK;9000751]
Thank you so much for the thorough reply! I appreciate it. Also, nice shots! It is helpful to see samples with the 70-200mm 2.8. I think I am sold on my decision, since the 2.8 has been a popular recommendation.

I really like your pricing setup too. Do you allow them to choose the photos for the mini session, or do you select which photos they get?[/QUOTE]

Thanks so much!

I let them choose. I have online galleries where they can “favorite” photos before I do final edits. I can then go in and see which photos they have hit favorite on and I will final edit those for them and put them in a folder within the gallery by themselves and allow downloading from that folder. I find that by letting them see all of the photos, they usually select more than 10 photos they want, and I can sell the addons to them outside of the package.

And I do pay taxes on my business :), but the majority of my sales come from shooting events.

[AMK]

[QUOTE=RacetrackReject;9002430]
Thanks so much!

I let them choose. I have online galleries where they can “favorite” photos before I do final edits. I can then go in and see which photos they have hit favorite on and I will final edit those for them and put them in a folder within the gallery by themselves and allow downloading from that folder. I find that by letting them see all of the photos, they usually select more than 10 photos they want, and I can sell the addons to them outside of the package.

And I do pay taxes on my business :), but the majority of my sales come from shooting events.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for sharing! That really helps give me more ideas of how I can improve my current set-up. I like your idea of the online gallery. Do you use a certain website or did you create your own? I’d like to do something like that, as it would make it much easier for the client photo-selecting process!