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Category: News   |   View all recent posts

FOR SALE: Photo Lighting Equipment
WHAT: For Photographers, Tools for Photographers, News   |   WHEN: December 16, 2013

I’m selling my studio lighting gear because, well, I hardly do any studio work and it doesn’t get used enough to justify taking up space in a closet. I bought it when I first started out in photography before really knowing what kind of direction I wanted to pursue, and that direction ultimately ended up being work that necessitated a different set of lighting tools. The lighting kit and gear listed below has been used at maybe 10 events over the last 5 years, so it’s like new and everything works flawlessly. Obviously you're welcome to verify anything/everything works before purchasing if you're local.

I’d rather sell everything together becausejust to be done with it and have the space back, but I will consider selling items individually if you don’t want/need everything. Individual prices are listed beside each item.

If you’re interested, call me at 214-621-4264 or email me at mail@mattnicolosi.com

[Scroll down to see more photos of the lighting gear after the pricing]

If you were to buy each piece new, it would cost you around $3500

P R I C E   F O R   E V E R Y T H I N G :   $ 1 , 5 0 0   Individual prices listed below.

Lights
Photogenic PowerLight 1250, 500Ws Monolight with C4-15 Flashtube  –  $300
Photogenic PowerLight 1250, 500Ws Monolight with C4-15 Flashtube  –  $300
Photogenic PowerLight 1250, 500Ws Monolight with C4-15 Flashtube  –  $300
Photogenic StudioMax II 320 (320w/s)  –  $150

Light Modifiers
Westcott 24x36 Softbox w/ Silver Interior  –  $125
Westcott 40 Degree Egg Crate Grid for 24x36 Softbox  –  $125
Westcott 12x36 Stripbank w/ Silver Interior  –  $95
Westcott 40 Degree Egg Crate Grid for 12x36 Stripbank  –  $95
Photogenic Eclipse Plus 45” White Satin Umbrella w/ black removable cover  –  $25
Westcott 45” White Satin Umbrella w/ black removable cover  –  $15
Photogenic PL5R Snoot (slightly damaged, but still functional)  –  $20 (included w/ light purchase)

Light Stands
Photogenic Talon 13’ Air Cushioned Light Stand  –  $50
Photogenic Talon 13’ Air Cushioned Light Stand  –  $50
Photogenic Talon TALS3 3’ Heavy Duty Backlight Stand  –  $25
Manfrotto 13’ Light Stand  –  $25
Manfrotto 13’ Light Stand  –  $25

Wireless Radio Triggers
PocketWizard Plus II Transceiver  –  $50 ($0 w/ purchase of lights)
PocketWizard Plus II Transceiver  –  $50 ($0 w/ purchase of lights)
PocketWizard Plus II Transceiver  –  $50 ($0 w/ purchase of lights)
PocketWizard Plus Digital Receiver  –  $25 ($0 w/ purchase of lights)
PocketWizard Plus Digital Receiver  –  $25 ($0 w/ purchase of lights)

Miscellaneuos
Photogenic Padded Rolling Storage Bag (holds all gear listed here)  –  $50 ($0 w/ purchase of lights)
50’ Extension Cord  –  $0 (included w/ purchase of lights)
9’ Extension Cord  –  $0 (included w/ purchase of lights)



Close-up of the the Photogenic PowerLight 1250s.



Rear panel controls for the Photogenic PowerLight 1250.


Photogenic StudioMax II background light shown with 3 different modifiers (included).  The modifiers can be used on any of the lights, not just the background light.


Rear panel controls for the Photogenic StudioMax II background light.


Westcott 12x36 Stripbank. Works with any of the lights.


Westcott 12x36 Stripbank silver interior.


Westcott 40 Degree Egg Crate Grid for 12x36 Stripbank directs the Stripbank light and eliminates light spill.


Westcott 24x36 Softbox. Works with any of the lights.


Westcott 24x36 Softbox silver interior. Also comes with a secondary translucent white baffle for even more light diffusion.


Westcott 40 Degree Egg Crate Grid for 24x36 Softbox directs the Softbox light and eliminates light spill.


PocketWizard Plus II Transceivers (3), PocketWizard Plus Digital Receivers (2), adn a host of sync cables.


This Photogenic padded rolling duffle bag holds all the equipment listed for sale.



4





Just the F.A.Q.s ~ "Are you ever going to offer a workshop?"
WHAT: For Photographers, Just the F.A.Q.s, News   |   WHEN: June 29, 2009

Two questions I've been asked a lot lately... "How did a guy like you ever score such a hot wife?" and "Are you ever going to do a workshop?"

I'm still dumbfounded on the first one, so you'll have to ask Kylie.  I suspect, though, it had something to do with my rock solid organizational skills and/or my freakishly stellar Chewbacca noise impersonation skills.

I can, however, address the latter question.

First off, I truly am honored that people have been asking me about doing a workshop for some time now.  It's a humbling - and terrifying - thing to think that some people want to know how I do my photography work because honestly most days I still feel like I have a ton to learn myself and such a long way to grow in some areas. 

I've dodged this question for a while now (maybe I can try politics if this photography gig doesn't work out), but here's my take on workshops...  E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y is doing them, and while there are some crazy-talented phtographers out there with a heart to share and teach (and they have something to share and teach) putting on some fantastic workshops that are worth every penny, there are also just as many people out there who 1) seem to have other motives, 2) have barely been doing photography long enough to warrant doing a workshop, 3) are professional workshoppers who haven't shot anything current in years, or 4) just don't have the heart of a teacher.  I don't want to be someone who meets any of those latter criteria.

I told myself that I would never do a workshop until I was competent & confident enough in my craft and felt like I had enough meaningful things to share that would make a workshop worthwhile for people where they walked away having felt like it was totally worth it and had fun doing it.

So, with that in mind, I've been thinking about putting on a workshop, and I've got a rough idea of what I'd want to do and cover if I did, but no concrete plans or details yet.  If I did do one, though, I'm curious 1) how many people would be intrested, and 2) what things people would find most valuable for me to talk about and/or demonstrate.  If you're interested or have thoughts, just shoot me an email!


33





The Cost of Custom Photography
WHAT: News, Useful Stuff, News   |   WHEN: March 17, 2009
Occasionally potential clients, friends, or even people I just met will ask about the costs of custom photography, and generally they're curious about the investment involved when they can buy an 8x10 print for less than $2 at many discount retail stores and pharmacies.

Marianne Drenthe has created a fantastic Consumer Guide for Custom Photography over at www.professionalchildphotographer.com that talks specifically to this subject. She has graciously made this info available for custom photographers to help educate people on both what custom photography is and what it costs. Here is her explanation on the investment involved for both the client and the photographer.

"Why Does Custom Photography Cost More?

Digital technology is brilliant. The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and amazing amounts of control for the photographer, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur. With flexibility comes a price though. Camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into all of this.

Even though you pay $1.99 for a print at your local drugstore and paying for film is pretty much a thing of the past (although you still pay for memory) you may be wondering why you may pay upwards of $40, 50, 70, 90 for a custom photography print. Some photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:

"How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at the local drug store?"

The answer is multifaceted and has a lot to do with the time, aforementioned equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer, expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.


TIME of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER:

Approaching it from a time standpoint, for instance let’s imagine if you will that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love and that is travelling an hour to your on location session. TIme break down:

* session prep time (30 mins - 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)
* one hour travel time TO session
* 15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
* 90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
* one hour travel time FROM session
* 30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
* 30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
* 2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
* 1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
* 2-3 hours time with client for ordering images
* 1 hour sorting through and checking order
* 30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
* 30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped
* any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues

As you can see, average client time for a session ranges from just under 13 hours to 19 hours dependent on the photographer’s level of service. This is time dedicated only to your session. When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.


COSTS of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER:

Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer. Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run up $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.

Then come lab costs for specialty products. A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success. Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.

Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip the intricate details. There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.


APPLES to ORANGES:

Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $25 for an 8×10 or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains. The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. According to several articles at the time, did you know that in February 2007 a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation? The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ "professional" prints if you do not sell enough of them. Interestingly enough - those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10). The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait studios in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments. Your "PORTRAITS" are considered the true "loss leader".

Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, "SAY CHEESE" experience. Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.


REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER:

Being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part. Their expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography. Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream? They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc..

Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch. To create good work good equipment, reliable equipment, back up equipment is a necessity. The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability. This is how reputations get built. Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation.

I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories. The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment."

You can also click on the following links for more helpful information regarding custom photography:

What is Custom Photography?
Why Choose Custom Photography?


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