The hardware and software you require will depend on your work flow choices. If you decide to use our Print-Ready Service (in other words do all your own computer-based production work in-studio) the savings on your lab bills must be traded off against a higher investment in gear and software, the skills to use them - and the extra work you’ll need to do in studio on every job.

What gear do you need?

Don't buy just on price - budget extra for consultation and service

We hope you agree that you should buy from an outfit you can rely on to provide sound advice, help with installation, fix things when they go wrong, provide loan equipment when necessary, and generally help you when you need it.

We buy mainstream brands from full service resellers because the warranties and support offered (or not offered) are as important as the product itself. It’s easy to be sucked in by discounters who sell cheap and walk away. Obviously any support you require on an ongoing basis is likely to cost extra on top of the capital purchase, but you may not enjoy being out in the cold when you buy from Bob’s Bulk Bargains.

Computers

If you're shooting digital, handling lots of large digital files and doing your own image editing, you'll need the best computer system you can buy, with the most memory and hard disk storage you can afford.

At the other extreme you'd be surprised how effective even a comparatively puny computer can be to display your images to clients and make the sale - using Photojunction for example. So not every computer in your business needs to be a behemoth. One approach would be to plan your work flow to minimise high-res image processing in studio (eg have Queensberry colour correct and retouch for you).

Monitors

If you intend to evaluate, edit or soft proof images in studio you’ll need a high quality monitor. You’ll also need to calibrate it often (at least once a month, and whenever anyone twiddles the knobs), learn how to use it and replace it every 2-3 years.

You can minimise the colour management issue by using our Full Colour Service. But if you want to be at the top of the quality colour pyramid, these items are essentials. You’ll also need a colorimeter, a relatively cheap item but far better than attempting to calibrate by eye.

You'll need a second display of some sort to display and sell images using Photojunction. This monitor could be a projector (see below).

But quite apart from this “sales” display,

Without a high quality, calibrated monitor you will have no real idea what your images look like until you get the prints back. And your workstation needs to be in a suitable space (dim light, no direct sun, no fluorescent lights, no reflections on the screen, no bright ambient colours – one case where grey is good). Do not be tempted to correct the colour of any image except on this screen.

Click here for calibrating your monitor.

Laptop

A laptop will definitely be very handy for goodness knows how many things. Maybe essential. If you decide to buy, the same issues will apply as with your desktop – as powerful as possible, good screen etc. The best way to think about whether you need one or not is to ask:

How can I manage without it? For example, does my workstation need to be in the client viewing room? How do I intend to download images at weddings?

And if I can’t manage without it, how will it complicate my life? You’ll need a network, for example.

Network

If you have more than one computer you’ll need a network and a server - not necessarily a dedicated server (ie separate from each user’s work station) but certainly a repository for your master files and other data. You’ll need to ask what’s involved in setting your network up (learning curve, equipment, cabling, software, support services)? Do you need to move files back and forth? How do you intend to use Photojunction in a network environment (maybe sell on one computer and set up files and design albums etc on another)? You can access files across a network, but you’ll need Photojunction installed on the computer using it at the time. Do you need two Photoshop licences? Almost certainly you will end up with a network environment, and again this points to the need for good technical support.

By the way, we suggest you don’t let yourself be tempted by wireless for mission-critical applications. Cable the place and go for Ethernet. Click here for what Photojunction has to say about networks.

Broadband

Sure, it's another overhead, and your computer will be more vulnerable to hackers, but you’ll find it very difficult to manage without high-speed internet access. The problems will need to be dealt with (rigorous security) but you'll wonder how you did without it. In fact we don’t believe you can. It’s not just a matter of downloading software and so on. The real benefit is in uploading files to us for printing. We can also provide very effective help when you need it if you’re on broadband, even looking at your computer screen while you demonstrate your problem and talk to us on the phone.

Projector or second monitor

The major advantage of a projector will be the opportunity to display images, wall portraits and albums actual size. This is very effective for sales. The major disadvantages are the noise and heat they produce. You’ll need a dedicated room where you can control the light, and ideally a set-up where you don’t have to sit close to the projector itself.

The projector should be powerful enough for the room (normally 1200 lumens is OK) and with good screen resolution (normally 1024x768 pixels). You should have controls to calibrate the colour output, keystone control (although you’ll want to avoid using it if possible) and preferably a remote. These are not unusual these days. Watch out for quality issues - even brightness and focus across the display, and again check you can follow the menus and manuals. As always we recommend you buy a mainstream, well-supported brand.

The alternative to a projector is a second monitor for your clients to watch. Everyone can sit comfortably around a decent sized table - you with your laptop, two or three clients with the second monitor. This is quiet and cosy. So too is a set-up where the clients sit on couches around a coffee table with their monitor while you work your laptop on a small, separate table, or even on your knees. A second monitor will be cheaper than a projector, but you won’t be able to display images actual size. This will be more of a problem to portrait photographers than wedding specialists. Make sure you keep the cables tidy as well.

A sound system, so you can play music in the background or in slideshows, adds value to the experience. Budget on a sound system you can play from the computer. It needn’t be expensive.

In studio printer

While we can print anything you’ll need for professional purposes (including proof sheets) you’ll almost certainly need a printer in house. What this is will depend on your needs. Laser printers are reasonably expensive but cheap to run – best for print and general office needs. But if you want good colour you’ll need an inkjet – cheap, but expensive to run! Click here for how to keep image colours as close as possible to ours.

CD or DVD burner

These days, you’ll probably be able to have a CD or DVD drive included in the computer. If not, you’ll need to buy one separately. DVDs hold 4-5 times as much data as CDs, which is convenient for storing or transferring lots of images, but they’re slower to read. Make sure you buy the right media and select the right file format (click here for more ).

Software

We recommend that you use the software that we do, Photojunction and Photoshop. (You can even avoid Photoshop with the right workflow.

Of course there are several other programs you’ll almost certainly need:

Software to download and process your camera files (this may come with your camera)

Software to burn CDs and/or DVDs.

Business software

Word processing, email and spreadsheet software.

Some of this and plenty more (such as an internet browser) will come with the computer. Check what’s included when you compare prices. As with wedding photography prices, it’s the total cost that counts!

Although some will disagree, we suggest that you avoid introducing other software wherever possible, at least while you’re learning the basics.

Click here for more about choosing software.