What sets the professional photographer apart from the amateur? It’s partially their carefully honed eye for the craft, knowledge of angles, specialty training, and years of experience. But it’s also their high-end equipment. Typically as photographers move up the ranks, so does their gear. To produce better results over time, career photographers need equipment with greater quality, durability, and capability.
But high-end photography equipment costs quite a pretty penny. And these tools are of paramount importance for photographers in the field, which makes them a worthwhile investment up front. But in an environment with many variables, one fall or bout of water damage can render this expensive equipment useless. If your photography gear broke today, would you be able to afford a replacement out of pocket? Even if you can, it’s a huge financial strain.
That’s why business insurance for photographers is the invisible—but important—tool every imaging professional needs “in their bag.” If something breaks or gets stolen on location, you can submit a claim for the actual cash value or replacement cost. This will get you back in business faster and keep your finances on track.
What kind of tools might you need to protect during assignments? Here are five:
By the time photographers get to the professional level, it’s safe to assume they use cameras worth thousands of dollars. Technology is moving quickly enough to necessitate regular upgrades to stay competitive. Long story short: Your business revolves around your camera.
It’s important to know what conditions you’ll face out in the field so you can protect your gear. Never leave your studio without a padded bag, waterproof gear, and a strong strap. This way, your camera can withstand jostling and drizzle without permanent damage.
Tripods allow photographers to steady their shots, shoot in low light, and capture time lapses. Yes, they’re less costly than cameras, but these vital tools are still worth hundreds of dollars, depending on the model you choose. Folding your tripod and bagging it after each use for safe carrying will help prevent damage.
Lenses are one of the primary determining factors of the quality of your photographs. Most professionals have an array of lenses in their arsenal. As Outdoor Photographer notes, “quite a few pro photographers carry a three-zoom kit.” Variables include speed, focal length, and durability—all of which affect the price.
Natural light is great, but it doesn’t always cooperate. Sometimes photographers have to use artificial lighting from strobe units, along with reflectors. Professionals traveling with this equipment should develop a safe, organized storage system to keep it like-new.
For large shoots, photographers sometimes take advantage of tethered shooting. This means your laptop will have to go wherever your camera does. A solid laptop for this purpose can be quite costly, particularly because photographers need larger screens for editing. You must develop a system for protecting your technology against theft, weather-related damage, and breakage.
Want to add another level of protection to your photography livelihood? Get business insurance for photographers. Start with free quotes from CoverHound!
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