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Photography has turned into a passion for so many people. It’s fun, challenging, and you get to be creative. Who wouldn’t like that? This post is for anyone who wants to get into photography a bit more seriously, is thinking about investing in their first camera, and isn’t quite sure where to start, what they need, or how to generally approach taking it up as a hobby.
The most exciting thing about photography is all the cool gear you get to buy! Every year, Canon, Sony, Fujifilm, and other brands release fancy new camera bodies, lenses, and gadgets to make your photo-taking easier. But if you’re just starting out, all you need is a camera body and a good lens.
And unlike even ten years ago, cameras and lenses today are all generally pretty good. We also recommend buying better equipment that is used (and therefore cheaper) over brand new. Most lenses last several decades, and the ones sold used tend to be in great shape still. Buy from a reputable place to make sure you get a quality product.
And honestly? If you have a recent smartphone, you can start today. Shoot in RAW, switch to manual exposure, and you already have more creative control than most beginners actually use. A used entry-level DSLR or mirrorless in the $300 to $500 range is plenty when you’re ready. Sony a6000, Canon R50, Fujifilm X-T30 are all solid options.
Having a camera is the first step. Knowing how to actually use it is going to take some learning. It’s easy to get overwhelmed once the thrill of a new camera passes. It can be frustrating to see beautiful images online and not be able to figure out how they were made. The truth is, all cameras are pretty much the same. The difference in the final image comes from the knowledge of the person taking the picture.
It’s very tempting to put your camera into Auto mode and let it figure things out for you. But if you want creative control and real results, learn Manual mode. The exposure triangle is the foundation: aperture, shutter speed, ISO. Aperture controls depth of field. f/1.8 blurs the background. f/11 keeps everything sharp. Shutter speed controls motion. ISO controls how sensitive your sensor is to light. Learn these three and you’ll understand why every shot looks the way it does.
Figure out how you best learn new information: do you prefer video tutorials, in-person classes, or just reading? And then start. This is one of the best things about photography as a hobby, you get to learn new things all the time and see results pretty much immediately when you try them out.
The Exposure Triangle Explained: ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture is a good reference to keep open while you practice.
There’s a huge difference between knowing something in your head and actually putting it into practice. Photography relies on quick decisions as you try to capture the exact moment in front of your lens. If you’re spending 30 seconds finding the right setting, you’re going to miss the shot.
Our suggestion is to focus on ONE area and practice that specific skill until you no longer have to think about it. Start by learning how to properly expose your shots. Get to a point where you can calculate the numbers in your head within seconds. Allocate one hour per week where you go out and practice. Give yourself a goal for what you’d like to master and focus on that one thing before moving to the next.
For more tips straight from working photographers, read 20 Photography Tips for Beginners from Pros.
There is portrait, fashion, street, product, documentary, landscape, and so much more. You’re not going to love everyone. And you shouldn’t try to. Your best bet is trying a little bit of everything and figuring out where your interest truly lies. Do you love shooting portraits? Can’t get enough of product work? Or you prefer to document things as they naturally happen. Find the one specific area that keeps pulling you back, and go deep on it. Not sure where to start? Our post on 15+ photography types covers all of them.
Most beginners assume studios are for working professionals with big clients and bigger budgets. They’re not. And waiting too long is one of the most common mistakes we see.
Shooting in a controlled space early cuts out all the variables that make learning outdoors hard: bad ambient light, unpredictable weather, cluttered backgrounds you can’t control. You can actually focus on what you’re doing instead of fighting the location.
FD Photo Studio has 62+ studios across Los Angeles and New York, starting at $29.99 per hour. Whatever style of photography you’re trying to learn, there’s a studio that fits it. Strobes, wireless triggers, c-stands, sandbags, and v-flats are included with every rental. Continuous lighting is available for rent. You don’t need to own a single piece of lighting gear to walk in and shoot. Check the full equipment list for both included and rentable one.
Seamless backdrop paper in different colors is available as well. Add it to your booking: $29.99 for a short sweep up to 6 feet on the floor, $59.99 for more than 6 feet, or $75 for a full 36-foot roll.
For a full walkthrough of your first studio shoot, read How to Plan a Studio Photo Shoot for Beginners.
Once you’re shooting regularly, individual hourly rates add up. Our 4-hour, 8-hour, and 12-hour packages give you better rates than booking single hours. Hours never expire and can be split across different studios, so you’re not locked into one space or one day.
Don’t try to learn ten setups at once. Start with one light: a strobe with a softbox at 45 degrees to your subject, slightly above eye level. That’s a Rembrandt-style setup. It works every time, and most photographers used it almost exclusively for years before adding anything else.
Once you’re comfortable with that, add a reflector on the other side to fill the shadows. Two setups. That’s honestly more than enough to build a real portfolio. How to Set Up Studio Lighting: Beginner to Pro Tips and Continuous vs. Strobe Lighting: Which Is Better for Photography? are useful once you start wondering whether to rent continuous lights instead.
For a deeper look at how different lighting patterns work, read Portrait Lighting Patterns: Complete Guide for Photography. It covers loop, butterfly, split, and Rembrandt lighting with examples.
If you’re interested in learning portrait photography, ask your family and friends to model for you first! It’s more interesting to photograph new faces and explore new locations, which will keep you motivated even when the learning gets frustrating (and it usually will at some point). Low stakes, good practice, and you get used to directing people without the pressure of a formal shoot.
If your subject is a model looking to build their book, read How to Shoot a Model Test. It covers what agencies actually want from test shots.
One of the best things about taking up a new hobby is meeting people who love it too! Don’t be discouraged if you’re just starting out. Finding a photography community is a great way to learn, get feedback, and make connections you actually keep.
We run regular photo mixer events in both Los Angeles and New York. You get access to multiple decorated studios with lighting already set up, for way less than a private rental. No experience required. Most people there are at a similar stage, figuring things out alongside you. A lot of long-term collaborations start exactly this way.
We also run hands-on workshops covering topics like studio lighting and portrait photography, taught by working photographers. Check the FD Photo Studio events page for upcoming events in LA and NY. Tickets sell out, so book a few weeks in advance.
Both our accounts post behind-the-scenes shoots, studio updates, and upcoming events. Follow @fdphotostudio for Los Angeles and @fdphotostudio_ny for New York. Good way to see how other photographers are using studios before you book.
1. Browse Available Studios: Visit our studio rental page to explore all 62+ locations
2. Check Equipment Lists: Review our completed equipment list
3. Rent Your Studio: Use our 24/7 online booking system to secure your preferred date and time
4. Receive Your Check-In Code: Get your self-check-in code to access your studio seamlessly
Call us at +1 (323) 454-2323, or email us at info@fdphotostudio.com. We also have a live support chat on our website where you can get directions, request help, or ask questions.