Buying Guides

So You Want to Be a Photographer?

A male photographer holding his camera, paid for through weekly payments, checking out its features.
Written by Flexshopper

Have you ever dreamed about becoming a photographer or videographer? We are not just talking about pictures of the family around the Christmas tree or your nephew’s home run at the Little League game. Maybe you would like it to be a side hustle or maybe even a full-time gig?

There are a number of ways to get started in photography. It’s a good idea to make a list of items you like, what you need, and how you will get those products. Are you going to photograph as a hobby or do you want to make a bit of cash? Will you want to do stills, video, or a combination? How much knowledge do you have about equipment, where will you do it, and what will your specialty be? Do you have a friend, co-worker, or teacher that would mentor you if you asked (or begged)?

Okay, so you have that list. Now, let’s talk about camera equipment. Sometimes the high costs of getting started keep folks from trying something new. You have the dream, ambition, and knowledge, but are short on cash and credit. So all this is just a pipe dream, right? Au contraire, Mon Cheri. You can have the equipment that you desire from FlexShopper with easy weekly payments and no money down⁷. It’s a lease¹, and the good thing is, you own it after a year. But before you get those business cards printed, let’s take a look at what equipment you need.

Mirrorless Cameras

Mirrorless cameras are ones that do not require a mirror, like a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera does. The mirror in a DSLR camera sends the image up to the optical viewfinder. With a mirrorless, you get a digital image either on a rear LCD screen or on an electronic viewfinder. Many digital cameras with interchangeable lenses are mirrorless. The absence of the mirror box has allowed the mirrorless cameras to become more compact and sleek. They are equipped with many options that are tech-forward and easy to use even for the beginner.

Fujifilm X-A3 Mirrorless Camera XC16-50mm F3.5-5.6 II Lens Kit – Silver

If you are just starting out, this camera may be just the ticket – and for only $22 a week¹, it won’t strain your budget. This camera has that retro feel, but also features a 180-degree tiltable LCD touch screen, and is perfect for the photographer who likes taking selfies. With the included lens, you can capture exquisite macro photographs as well. This camera is easy, reliable, and a great starter set.

Sony a7R II Alpha Full Frame Mirrorless Digital Camera Body – Bundle With Flashpoint Zoom Li-on R2 TTL On-Camera Flash Speedlight for Sony

Take a step up with this 35mm digital camera that boasts the world’s first full-frame sensor with a back-illuminated structure. With the capacity to take 42.4-megapixel stills and 4K video, it will enable you to capture both with one piece of equipment.  It also has built-in wifi, so connectivity is never an issue.  The 3-inch screen can swivel, enabling various views. This is a great camera for the up and coming (or seasoned) photographer!

Check out all the different options for mirrorless cameras that Flexshopper has!

DSLR Cameras

Okay, so we know that a mirrorless camera is more compact than a DSLR camera, but what are the pros to getting the latter? One positive is that DSLR cameras adjust to low light more readily. You also have more lenses and accessories to choose from since they have been around a bit longer. They are durable and accurate, just a little bulkier.

Canon – EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera with EF-S 18-55 mm IS II and EF 75-300 mm III lens – Black

This camera features both a 18-55 mm and a 75-300 mm lens. It has built in wifi and includes a handy camera case. Full 1080p video capabilities and an optical viewfinder ensure that you have everything you need at your fingertips to capture the moment. Plus, it’s only $20 a week¹.

Canon EOS 80D 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Body) + Accessory Bundle 64GB SDXC Memory + DSLR Photo Bag + Wide Angle Lens + 2x Telephoto Lens + Flash + Remote + Tripod & More

This camera is all you need to get started on your photography journey. With 24.2 megapixels, three lenses, remote, tripod, flash and more, you will be toting all you need in style. It would take a while to buy all of these items individually, but with FlexShopper, you can lease it today and have your finger on the shutter tomorrow.

Check out all of the DSLR cameras that FlexShopper has to offer!

Camcorders

Camcorders have come a long way from the clunky, heavy ones of yesteryear.  Before choosing a camcorder, picture how you will be using it. The range is huge, going from traditional digital camcorders to action camcorders to drones. Most digital cameras have some video capacity, though it could be limited. If video is going to be a major part of your business, some models are inexpensive to own and would offer versatility that you might not get with a camera alone. Furthermore, you can get what you need today with our easy weekly payments.

Canon – VIXIA HF W10 Waterproof HD Camcorder – Blue

This camcorder is lightweight, easy to operate and can record up to four and a half hours of video.  It is pretty rugged and inexpensive at a mere $16 per week¹.  Plus, being waterproof up to 16.4 feet underwater means that you can record all the action at water parks, beaches and more without having to worry about mist or waves ruining your video.

GoPro HERO4 BLACK Surf Bundle

Want to have even more fun at the beach? You don’t have to be a surfer to want the GoPro Hero4 Surf Bundle. GoPro is the premier name in action camera, so you cannot go wrong if you are attempting action videography. If you are looking for a piece of equipment that is rugged, powerful and twice as fast as its predecessor, this is it. Besides, it gives you a chance to go do some exploring at only $24 per week¹.

PowerVision PowerEgg X Wizard Aerial Drone with Autonomous Personal AI Camera, Remote Controller, Battery

Drones have been around for a while, and they are getting better all the time. If you need aerial photography, look at a drone such as this one. This is not a toy. It is built to do facial recognition, respond to your gestures, and act as a handheld camera. Weekly payments of only $42 per week¹ make it as affordable as it is functional.

Learn More About Becoming a Photographer

So what are you going to do?  Is your dream business doing wedding photography? Do you dream of a brick and mortar portrait studio? Will you film sports events and outdoor activities? Are you an adventurer and want to film your own adventures and stream video? There is so much to consider. Finding the right equipment should be easy. Let us help you with that. You can start, quickly, easily, and without breaking the bank at flexshopper.com.

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* Prices and quantities are subject to change

1 If you are approved for a lease this is your estimated weekly lease payment. On this site, we use the terms "lease," "lease agreement," "rental-purchase agreement" and "agreement" the same. (We usually use the term "Lease.") Under your Lease, you can: (a) weekly, biweekly, or monthly payments or exercise an Early Purchase Option pursuant to your payment offer (not applicable in FL, NC and TX) and some restrictions may apply in CA to acquire Ownership of the rented goods or (b) rent the goods for at least the initial term and then end the lease when you want by making all required payments and returning the goods. In NC, the final payment required to purchase the rented goods will be an amount greater than 10% of the Cash Price. If you are approved for a loan the weekly payment is only an estimate. Please review the actual terms in your loan agreement if you are approved. Your rates, terms and payment schedule are subject to approval pursuant to underwriting criteria and may vary by state. FlexShopper provides offers for Lease to Own Options, however, we do not make any loan or credit decisions and are not representative, brokers or agents for any Lenders.

3 If approved by FlexShopper customers that reside in Florida, Texas and North Carolina, the Cash Price is the price we charge for a cash sale of the item. The Cash Price may be higher than the cash price you would pay if you were to purchase the item directly from the merchant shipping the merchandise on FlexShopper and/or affiliates behalf. If approved by another payment option provider the cash price is the invoice amount of the item excluding taxes, shipping and other fees.

5 Good credit is not necessary but not everyone with bad credit is approved. Our goal is to help consumers with not so perfect credit get goods they want through a payment offer that works for you.

7 An initial payment or security deposit and/or payment may be required before fulfillment.

8 If approved by FlexShopper customers that reside in Florida, Texas and North Carolina you will own the item(s) and not have to pay any additional amount if you pay the full Cash Price (the Cash Price is the price we charge for a cash sale of the item (or $50 more than the price the merchant you select charges) plus sales taxes and may be higher than the price you would pay if you were to purchase the item(s) directly; if you rent multiple items at the same time, we reduce the Cash Price (and increase the Cost of Rental) by $50 for the second and each subsequent item you rent, which makes it less expensive to purchase the items before the end of the term of the Lease). After 90 days, you also have an Early Purchase Option that allows you to own your item(s) for less. Simply refer to the table in your Lease to look up the Early Purchase Option amount after each payment date. If approved by another payment option provider please refer to the terms and conditions of your agreement.

9 All lease/loan decisions and rates and terms are subject to approval pursuant to underwriting criteria related to the applicant’s credit quality. Rates and terms may also vary depending upon the state where you reside.