Becoming a Professional Photographer

I received this email today and it's not the first time someone has asked me these questions. I thought I'd answer her on the blog  incase there is someone else wondering the same things.

Noemi,

I have been reading your blog for about a year and you always give such great advice to beginning photographers so I was wondering if you could help me out as well. I just moved to a new area (Milwaukee, WI) and after being unhappy with my job I've decided to turn my photography hobby into a career. I'm just getting started and am only shooting with a Canon PowerShot SX20 IS until I can save up for a DSLR in the next few months. What advice do you have for building a portfolio and experience as a beginner on a budget? Most classes I've looked at require a DSLR and most photographers need a portfolio before they'll consider you as an assistant. I would really appreciate any recommendations on how to overcome these hurdles or other advice for a beginner that you could give me.

Thanks so much for your time Noemi!!

Tara

Here's the explanation I give at all my workshops:

Phase One Take Pictures - Sounds simple but, it's true! The more you take the faster you'll grow. Learn your camera - Learn how you learn best! Use the internet free resources. Shoot for free - You have to prove yourself first! Build your portfolio - As you shoot for free, compile 1-2 shots from each shoot and store them in a portfolio folder. Show your work - You're going to need constructive criticism in order to fix mistakes Keep Learning - ask questions and offer to assist any photographer willing to teach you.

Phase Two Start charging -Entry Level Raise your prices when you have too much work Start blogging or website Get your information out there - referrals work Any new type of shooting do for free to build your portfolio Get to know other photographers - have them look at your pictures Keep Learning

Phase Three Make it lucrative - look at what competitive pricing in your area Know your competition Know what you unique Be confident on your camera and with people Update your portfolio Work on Branding, Marketing, Reputation Get to know other Professional Photographers - offer to assist for free and learn from them. Looking into WPPI or other teaching venues

Tara, I hope this is helpful! Definitely get a DSLR as fast as you can and up grade the lens soon after that! I wish you all the best! Love, Noemi.

MINI-SESSIONS - June 12th, 2010

I have 2 spots still available for the Mini Sessions on Saturday, June 12th, 2010 Here's how the Mini Sessions work:

1. Mini Sessions are booked by emailing info@noemiphotography.com (first come first serve basis)

2. Each family will be given a 45 minute time slot (Normal time slot is an hour and half)

3. Cost is $225 plus tax (Normal Portrait Session $450)

4. A few of your portraits will be on the blog within a week...kinda a sneak peek :)

5. Receive a disc with 30-50 edited images (with permission to reproduce images)

6. Online viewing and purchasing through Pictage.com (90 days)

www.noemiphotography.com

Canon Rebates - Gotta love a deal!

I'm a "Canon camera and lens girl" and when I hear of a good deal I always want to share it with you! The only place I buy equipment is through B & H Photo and Video. I love everything about this company: reasonable prices, knowledge sales and customer service reps, quick delivery, and quality products! They are having rebates on Canon Cameras...so if you're in the market for a new camera follow this link.

www.noemiphotography.com

Mini Sessions

Need to get your family portraits done this summer?

I want you to know about "Mini Sessions" with NoemiPhotography!

When: June 13th, 2010 (limited sessions available)

Cost: $225 plus tax ($450 value)

PLAN AHEAD...Mini Session in the fall will be at Minnesota Harvest (the Apple Orchard!)

Email info@noemiphotography.com to reserve your session today!

Are you a mom? Do you love photography?

Whether you stay at home with your kids or work full-time...if you are a mom I want to invite you to come to the Mom FOCUSED Photography Workshop!!!  We're going to have a blast and you will grow a ton as a photographer. (the attendance is limited so register now.)

The Mom FOCUSED Photography Workshop is designed for Mom's with a DSLR wanting to understand their camera and learn in a small group of their peers to take better pictures of every day life! I like to break this session up to give time to go home, practice, think of questions AND THEN come back for more teaching and the practical application!

DATES and TIMES: Friday, May 7th 2010 - 7:00pm-10:00pm

Saturday, June 5th 2010 - 10:00am-5:00pm

COST: $275.00 per person

If you're reading this and would love to come the Mom FOCUSED Photography workshop but it doesn't fit into your budget right now don't worry, just have your friends and family write me telling me in their own words why you should come for free! That's how much I want you to come!

I've received a few nominations so far and they are sooooo sweet! I love reading about moms who are passionate about their kids and photography. If you know someone who deserves to come please send me some sweet words about them....you just might be the reason I choose them for the free spot!

www.noemiphotography.com

PICTAGE.com

You know how I love sharing good info...and I love a good contest too! Well, I use www.PICTAGE.com for all my clients. It's been an amazing blessing to have them handle all of my orders and an incredible comfort to know that all my images are being backed-up on a server that's not in my home. (Heaven forbid there would ever be a fire here but, at least I would have all my images somewhere safe.) I've been with Pictage for a few years and they are an amazing company. They recently came out with new members packages so if you've been looking for somewhere that you can upload your images, where your clients can view and purchase and have a off-site back-up for a great price...I would strongly recommend them.

If you do sign up can you tell them I sent you? They are doing a draw for referrals...I'd love to win a GIFT CARD to B & H Photo.

Here's how:

Go to www.trust.pictage.com for information on signing up for Pictage. The new member(that's you!) must call and give us your name in order for you to be entered into the drawing.

PLUS, once you're a member you can join me at the PUG meetings in Edina! We meet once a month to talk photography and business. The networking and getting to know friends in the business has been an incredible blessing too!

www.noemiphotography.com

PPA Workshop in Minneapolis, MN

I have gone to WPPI in Vegas for the last 3 years but, having a baby a month ago meant I wasn't going to be able to go this year...so, I started looking for seminars and workshops in the Minneapolis or St. Paul area! I found one! I'm super excited to go! "PPA Tour 2010 - Minneapolis, MN" on Tuesday, March 30 at 5:30pm.

Event: PPA Tour 2010 - Minneapolis, MN What: Workshop Start Time: Tuesday, March 30 at 5:30pm End Time: Tuesday, March 30 at 10:45pm Where: Minneapolis, MN

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=350790211906&mid=1fe6c67G30752beaGa0c41cdG7&n_m=mnhedrick2000%40yahoo.com

Please email me if you register and would like to meet up there! I've registered and can't wait to learn alongside of other photographers.

www.noemiphotography.com

Canon vs. Nikon

Some of you might know that my brother (who lives in Toronto, Canada) is also a professional photographer. He uses and swears by Nikon and I am a Canon Girl...we've had many conversations about the pros and cons of both companies...neither wants to switch! Even though I'm not switching to Nikon, I'm a firm believer in passing on a good deal! Nikon is offering rebates on a bunch of their cameras so if you're looking to buy follow the links below! P.S. B & H Photo is where I buy all of my equipment - I find their prices competitive and their knowledge of equipment is incredible!

Nikon D3x

Nikon D3s

Nikon D90

Nikon D700

Nikon D300s

Have fun shopping! But, do me a favor and don't email asking me specifics about any of these cameras cause...like I said, I'm a CANON girl. I do know that Nikon makes amazing cameras!

www.noemiphotography.com

Pros and Cons

Ever do a pros and cons list? I do them all the time. Usually I write them out but, I do them in my head too...or just talk it through - I am a girl ya know! Today I was thinking about pros and cons of my life. i thought I'd write things out and blog at the same time. Sometimes (or maybe all the time) it's easier to focus and gravitate to the obvious difficulty in every day life but, it's my choice to let it be my focus or not. Pros and Cons list help me be thankful for everything good happening. CONS followed by PROS of my life...a little honesty followed by a thankful heart.

1. Matt and I barely slept last night. I got Adriah's cold. I have incredible pressure in my head and a sore throat BUT I love my husband and he loves me...even at 4:30am we were able to laugh about it and snuggle.

2. My kids have taken turns being sick for the last 2 weeks. Leyton has a low grade fever and a horrible cough...HE IS CLINGY and WHINY - not my normal little boy BUT, I'm able to be home with them and care for them the way no one else could. He needs me and I'm here to give him a million hugs and kisses!

3. I'm really sore with constant nerve pain in my legs (typical for me at the end of my pregnancies) BUT, I have life growing inside me and I will meet her very soon.

4. I've been subpoenaed to court. The individual who stole my purse apparently plead not-guilty cause I've been called to be witness on February 2nd (right around the time I plan to deliver) I don't want to meet this guy and going to court is the last thing I'd want to do that late in my pregnancy BUT, I'm thankful to live in a country that prosecutes criminals (stealing is one of the top ten!) and this has been an incredible opportunity to teach Adriah about doing wrong and having consequences.

5. Taxes are due. It's January and my least fav. time of year to own my own business...cause organizing tax stuff takes so long and it's really boring BUT, I did have an accountant help me with the books all year and after I do the collecting she will take it from there. It will be my simplest tax season ever!

Okay, I feel better.

www.noemiphotography.com

Winter Photography Contest!

I haven't run a contest in ages and I really miss it! So let's fix that!

CHRISTMAS IS IN 2 WEEKS! Can you believe that? I know we'll all frantically trying to take pictures or have them done of our families so that we can show the world how cute we are and how much we've changed over the last year - at least that's why I do it! Those kinds of shots are usually pretty functional. People want to see our faces and our kids faces. So, I'm running a contest of the opposite kind. Any super artsy pic of the season? One that you really want to use because it shows your skill but it doesn't fit the card?

I'll give you until next Friday night (December 18th) to submit your entry (only one please) and then your friends, family and my blog readers will vote! The art-sy image that captures the season and people hearts will win! AND YOU HAVE TO GET THE MOST VOTES!

Can't wait to see what you send me... :)

www.noemiphotography.com

Looking for the Perfect Holiday Gift?

*Check out this unique gift guide and give something you've never given before...gotta love that!

I'm overwhelmed by how much creativity is everywhere in the Twin Cities. It's an amazing city with tons of entrepreneurs making a go of it! I love encouraging people to live out their dream jobs...this guide is packed great ads of such businesses!

click here to view the Rachel's Twin Cities Holiday Gift Guide and leave a comment telling me what you think of it!

It's easy!

www.noemiphotography.com

Advice for Minneapolis Photographers

One of my blog followers referred me to this blog post and I thought it was WISE WORDS so I thought I'd pass them on to you... What Every Aspiring Photographer Should Know

These are my thoughts, nothing more and nothing less.

I get asked all the time, during workshops, in e-mails, in private messages, what words of wisdom I would give to a new and aspiring photographer. Here’s my answer.

- Style is a voice, not a prop or an action. If you can buy it, borrow it, download it, or steal it, it is not a style. Don’t look outward for your style; look inward.

- Know your stuff. Luck is a nice thing, but a terrifying thing to rely on. It’s like money; you only have it when you don’t need it.

- Never apologize for your own sense of beauty. Nobody can tell you what you should love. Do what you do brazenly and unapologetically. You cannot build your sense of aesthetics on a concensus.

- Say no. Say it often. It may be difficult, but you owe it to yourself and your clients. Turn down jobs that don’t fit you, say no to overbooking yourself. You are no good to anyone when you’re stressed and anxious.

- Learn to say “I’m a photographer” out loud with a straight face. If you can’t say it and believe it, you can’t expect anyone else to, either.

- You cannot specialize in everything.

- You don’t have to go into business just because people tell you you should! And you don’t have to be full time and making an executive income to be successful. If you decide you want to be in business, set your limits before you begin.

- Know your style before you hang out your shingle. If you don’t, your clients will dictate your style to you. That makes you nothing more than a picture taker. Changing your style later will force you to start all over again, and that’s tough.

- Accept critique, but don’t apply it blindly. Just because someone said it does not make it so. Critiques are opinions, nothing more. Consider the advice, consider the perspective of the advice giver, consider your style and what you want to convey in your work. Implement only what makes sense to implement. That doesn’t not make you ungrateful, it makes you independent.

- Leave room for yourself to grow and evolve. It may seem like a good idea to call your business “Precious Chubby Tootsies”….but what happens when you decide you love to photograph seniors? Or boudoir?

- Remember that if your work looks like everyone else’s, there’s no reason for a client to book you instead of someone else. Unless you’re cheaper. And nobody wants to be known as “the cheaper photographer”.

- Gimmicks and merchandise will come and go, but honest photography is never outdated.

- It’s easier to focus on buying that next piece of equipment than it is to accept that you should be able to create great work with what you’ve got. Buying stuff is a convenient and expensive distraction. You need a decent camera, a decent lens, and a light meter. Until you can use those tools consistently and masterfully, don’t spend another dime. Spend money on equipment ONLY when you’ve outgrown your current equipment and you’re being limited by it. There are no magic bullets.

- Learn that people photography is about people, not about photography. Great portraits are a side effect of a strong human connection.

- Never forget why you started taking pictures in the first place. Excellent technique is a great tool, but a terrible end product. The best thing your technique can do is not call attention to itself. Never let your technique upstage your subject.

- Never compare your journey with someone else’s. It’s a marathon with no finish line. Someone else may start out faster than you, may seem to progress more quickly than you, but every runner has his own pace. Your journey is your journey, not a competition. You will never “arrive”. No one ever does.

- Embrace frustration. It pushes you to learn and grow, broadens your horizons, and lights a fire under you when your work has gone cold. Nothing is more dangerous to an artist than complacency.

here's the link http://photodino.wordpress.com/2009/05/27/advice/

www.noemiphotography.com

Adobe Lightroom 3 (Beta Version)

I don't know if you know this already but, Lightroom is an amazing program for editing photos! I use it with Adobe Photoshop CS2 for all my editing and love the workflow between the two! Beta Version means Adobe is getting ready to release a new version of the old program but, before they do they have a bunch of smart people try it out and tell them about the things the work or don't work so by the time we get it...all the bugs should be worked out.

The great thing about this is you can download the program for free and trial it for the next couple of months while you're deciding if it's the right program for you! Here's the link to the beta version! http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom3/

Hope this is helpful!

www.noemiphotography.com

Holiday Gift Guide

You may me remember me mentioning my incredible sister-in-law Rachel Greenhouse...she's my husband's sister but, I kinda think of her as my own flesh and blood. Living in the Twin Cities together for the last 10 years we've been through a lot. Both of us run our own businesses and she has been a constant encouragement and supporter of my photography. She actually is the reason a started blogging to begin with...and she has designed every logo you've seen for my company! Yeah, like I said, she's totally amazing and always has incredible ideas!

Her latest project is a great idea so I thought I'd let you in on it...I'm including Rachel's notes underneath so you can learn more about buying or advertising. Maybe your ad will be beside NoemiPhotography? Wouldn't that be special?

Rachel’s Twin Cities Holiday Gift Guide

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to work with people who are passionate about what they do (I’ve built my business around working with very small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations) and that I make a lifestyle out of connecting people who might benefit from knowing each other. My latest project?

Rachel’s Twin Cities Holiday Gift Guide: Creative gift ideas from local businesses, handpicked to make your holiday less hectic and more meaningful. My guide will focus on gifts that are: available locally, creative/unique/artistic, do-it-yourself oriented, affordable, fun, personal and positive. I will also be highlighting local non-profits as a way to make a difference during the holiday season.

If you would like to receive the guide when it’s ready, click here to sign up today:

http://rachelgreenhouse.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8bcd82216ef0383850c31eb0a&id=00432b5419

Why a virtual/web-based gift guide? Studies show that the top trusted source people identify in making purchase decisions is an email from people they know. People are looking for ways to shop from home and avoid malls. People want to give gifts that add meaning and contribute to quality of life rather than focusing on high price, glitz and size. Giving services and customized gifts is more environmentally-responsible than filling our houses with large plastic things and having all kinds of packaging to dispose of.

The idea is that by pooling our gift offerings and distributing the entire guide to each of the advertisers’ lists, they will all be exposed to many new customers at a very low advertising cost. In addition, I will be distributing it through Facebook and Craigslist, so this will build awareness for small businesses and artisans as well.

It costs $25 for a 50 word listing, or $50 for a 3” x 4” ad with one color logo or photo included. I will design your ad as a part of your fee. I need to have all advertisers finalized by Friday, November 6^th as the guide will need to be ready for distribution before Thanksgiving. Please feel free to contact me with your questions.

Rachel Greenhouse Marketing and Fundraising Consultant 612-501-5565, rgreenhouse@mac.com

to my Photography Assistants...

I shoot every wedding with an assistant. I didn't when I started but, now that I do, I'm never turning back! It's amazing. I have hand picked the three women I work with and they've worked with me for the last 2 years straight. I am so thankful for them. Jennifer, Sue and Jacquelyn are gifted photographers that have either started up their own companies or are in the midst of starting up. I wanted to brag on them for this post. Jennifer Youngdahl and I met at a wedding - I was the photographer and she was a guest. She had worked for Pro Ex and wanted to start her own company. She's a mom of two beautiful boys, works part-time, and assists me. I know she's picked a name "Jenuine Photography" and plans to set up a studio in her home in the near future. She has a heart for capturing kids and families!

Sue Shetler I've know for years. I actually was her boss about 10 years ago when I was managing a bookstore on the campus of Bethany College of Missions and now we're getting to work together again. She recently set up a blog to showcase her work and I'm sure she'd love you to come visit http://susanshetlerphotography.blogspot.com/. Sue is going to be working with me next year for most of weddings...we've found a groove working together and we're going with it! She has an incredible eye for candids! I can't wait to continue to grow together.

Jacquelyn Senske is a photographer friend...who's very dear to my heart. Even though she's has a thriving business of her own she wanted to work with me to grow in her gift. We've had 2 great years working together and now she's moving on. Sad but true. I'll miss our car talks and her way of knowing what I need before I need it! She's an incredible assistant with a servant heart. I love her! I wish her the best in photography in the years to come. Please check out her website and blog...like I said she's amazing!

I've shared many weddings and great memories with these women. They have been a delight to work with. I'll be working primarily with Sue next year and continuing to train some new assistants as well!

I haven't given them enough credit or told them how thankful I am...please hear me when I say I am blessed to know all of you. Thanks for investing your talent in my clients and my business...it means the world to me!

www.noemiphotography.com

Have you been to my website lately?

No, you haven't? Nor have I...I've been avoiding my website. In fact I gave out my card at a wedding last Saturday and I actually heard myself say, "Check out my blog but, don't both with my website cause the pictures are sooo out of date!" Nice. So, that's when the guy asking for my card said, "So, why don't you update your website?" YAH...I'm on it! It's gonna take me a little time to get everything right cause I have tons of pictures to go through and only a select few I can display...so, it's just going to get better and better! I have taken so many precious moments at wedding this year! My brides have been amazing and I feel like I'm maturing as a photographer with every shoot! AND the family shoots I'm doing now are loads more fun then when I started...and when I'm having fun, their having fun, and the pictures turn out amazing!

So, all that to say...even if you read my blog every day...if you like pictures then, go to my newly updated website and soak it up! click here!

Write me and tell me what you think! I'm always interested in the shots you love and the shots you could've done without!

www.noemiphotography.com

MY NEW BLOG!!!!

I am so excited to finally unveil the NEW BLOG I've been working on for the last few months! It's so pretty and clean and classy and artsy and has tons of BIG PICTURES! It should be up before the end of the month. I hope you are wow-ed! If you're reading right now you know I love to blog. And even in all my randomness and spelling mistakes you continue to read my blogging...so we're in this together! So, I decided to put my money where my mouth is and make it something unique and stand-out-ish! I can't wait to present it and hear your feed back!

You're probably not going to be able to sleep tonight because of your excitement but...it'll be worth it!

www.noemiphotography.com

Expanding my horizons...

I've been shooting weddings since 2002 and have grown into Engagements, Family, Senior, Babies, Maternity but, lately I've been having incredible opportunities with businesses "outside my box" and I'm loving it. I did a photoshoot for Great Clips a couple weeks ago...keep your eyes open for their new summer brochures and even posters in the salons cause you know the photographer that took them. Weird eh? And I just did a shoot for Children's Hospital. Ever since my friend had her multiples at that hospital i've been wanting to give back in some way. I finally got my chance! I was called in to do some pictures in the NICU and captured doctors and nurses do their thing. It's a beautiful hospital and the NICU has a special place in my heart. My memories are as fresh as they were 2 years ago. It was healing to go back and work with the staff again.

AND then of course the workshops! I've been blessed to have people love my work and want to learn from me...I don't take that lightly! I can't wait to pour into the photographers and mom's trusting me to take them to the next level. It's going to be amazing.

I never would've guessed I would have all these opportunities but, I'm thankful! I think every experience forces me to expand what I know and try new things...every time I do that I grow as a photographer. Very cool. I love learning.

www.noemiphotography.com

Wedding Facts, Figures & Headlines

I grabbed this article from a website...fun facts for brides!

Wedding Stats

USA Statistics:

• approx. 2.3 million couples wed every year in the US. That breaks down to nearly 6,200 weddings a day
• the average age of a bride in the US is 25-27
• the average age of a groom is 26-28
• the average number of guests invited to a wedding is 178
• one-third of those getting married each year have been married before
• more than 115,000 weddings are performed in Las Vegas every year
• more than 20,000 weddings are performed in Hawaii every year
• the average wedding has 175 guests (invited)
• a recent study indicates 1/2 of all brides will use a wedding consultant or wedding day coordinator
• 80 percent of weddings are performed in churches or synagogues
• the top wedding city in the world is Istanbul, Turkey with 166,000 for the year
• Las Vegas, Nevada is in second place with 114,000 weddings

Money

• $72 billion per year is spent on weddings• the average wedding budget is $20,000
• the average household income of a newly married couple is $55,000/annually
• $1,016 is the average cost of wedding rings for the bride and groom
• approx. $40 BILLION is spent on weddings every year in the U.S. (There are many who think this is closer to $60-70 billion a year)
• a couple will spend an average of $$3,600-3,800 for their honeymoon
• the bride and groom pay for themselves approx 30% of the time and the bride’s parents pay about 17 percent of the time.  The rest of the time, costs are covered by a variety of sources..
• $19 billion per year is spent on wedding gift registries
• $8 billion per year is spent on honeymoons
• over  91 percent of all to-be-weds register for gifts. The couple receives gifts from an average of 200 guests
• most wedding guests spend between $70 and $100 on a gift

Timing

• January Weddings - 4.7%
• February Weddings - 7.0%
• March Weddings - 6.1%
• April Weddings - 7.4%
• May Weddings - 9.8%
• June Weddings - 10.8%
• July Weddings - 9.7%
• August Weddings - 10.2%
• September Weddings - 9.6%
• October Weddings - 9.4%
• November Weddings - 7.4%
• December Weddings - 7.8%

Honeymoons

• 99 percent of newlyweds take a honeymoon
• the average couple will spend three times more on their honeymoon than a regular vacation
• 40 percent of honeymooners will travel within the United States, about 60 percent will travel to a foreign country
• honeymoons usually last 7 to 9 days
• the most popular destinations are Las Vegas, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Jamaica
• 35 percent of brides and grooms have a valid passport

Sources

• American Demographics
• Bride’s Magazine
• Bride’s Millennium Report: Wedding Love & Money
• SellMoreWeddings.com
• SellTheBride.com
• The Association for Wedding Professionals International
• The Knot
• US Census Bureau

Tags: budget weddings, choosing a wedding band, diamond ring demand, diamond size chart, engagement ring purchase, groom cold feet, slow economy, usa wedding statistics, wear your wedding dress again, wedding financial statistics, wedding headlines, wedding honeymoon statistics, wedding links, wedding statistics, wedding stats

Good deal or better camera - what to do?

One of my faithful blog readers (and friend) sent me this question and I thought I'd reply for all...It's a great question! Hey- I know I have asked you before about cameras, but this week Target has a great deal on the Nikon D40 and I have a 10% discount card to use.  So, I thought I would do some research before running out and getting one.

So this is what I know about the D40 vs. D60: D40-6.1 megapixels D60-10.1 megapixels-I don't think I need this many for the price difference

D40-2 pictures per second D60-3 pictures per second again, not that big of a deal for me, I just want a faster picture speed then my point and shoot

D40-does not have some dust filter on it D60-does have it on there

My biggest question is about the lenses, I have no idea what is what.  The one on sale at Target comes with a 18-55mm lense.  There is a refurbished D60 body at National for $350.00, and with a 18-55 and 55-200 lenses it is $599.00...not really in my budget, but if it is a better deal, I would wait.

****BEFORE I ANSWER THE QUESTION I wanted to let you know I found the same deal at Ritz for $549.00 (free shipping and no-tax)...maybe National Camera would honor the same deal?

Okay. So, back to the question...I think I've given different advice to different people depending on their situation but, I've come to same conclusion every time. If your interested in photography as a hobby or as a career. Buying a good camera won't be wasted on you. You will use it and you will be thankful you have it!

If you know you'll be happy with having a Digital SLR (because your current "point and shoot" sucks!)  then buy the best package/deal. Yes...kit lenses are not the best and the entry level cameras are not made for pro photographers...but, they are made for beginners and that's perfect for you! Stick within your budget.

But, if you are ever planning to get the upgrade, don't buy the cheaper version...save and get the one you really want. It might mean 6 months of waiting but it will be worth it. Buy the body and get a separate lens - higher quality means better pictures.

Of course I do have to point out that I am a Canon user and so would always suggest buying Canon but, my brother (and many others would highly disagree!) They are both excellent companies...I just like Canon better.

Thanks for the question Melissa! I hope this helps!

www.noemiphotography.com