A change in careers

[Cygnus]

After nearly 18 years in the coin business, I have decided to scale back and retire from this line of work. Traveling back and forth across the country all these years have taken a toll. While I love the work, and will always be involved in some way probably the rest of my life. Luckily I can honestly say that I have never worked a day in my 18 years.
As the next passion in my life is photography, this seems a natural progression for me. I sell several thousand coin pics each year currently, and it has been a good side income for years.
I am not sure if a studio is in my future or maybe just some product shots, but I know that I love this hobby, and that tells me that it will never be work. I will keep everyone posted as I make this transition.

[Truckman]

Welcome to non-employment...Mine's only a couple of months old and I'm stil getting used to not having somepace to go every morning...Not that I'm complaining... ...

I've got a satchel of old coins in my safe that I should probably think about finding a home for...I don't have a clue o their value so I'm not looking forward to the selling process...I'll get around to it someday...

Enjoy the retirement!... ...Ben

[Cygnus]

Welcome to non-employment...Mine's only a couple of months old and I'm stil getting used to not having somepace to go every morning

The weirdest part, at least for me is that I will 39 years old this year. The coin business has been very good to me and has allowed me to live a good life, and provided me with this opportunity at such a young age. I think that the strangest part will be not traveling all the time. Last year, I traveled 34 weeks of the year. I know that loads of people would love to get paid seeing the country, but I can tell you that it gets old fast. Waking up in a hotel room not exactly sure what city you are in is a weird feeling.

I am kind of looking forward to spending some time at home. Getting used to sleeping in my own bed for a real length of time will take some getting used to also. I will miss quite a few things also, but it is time to venture into new territories.

[admin]

Change is good. Enjoy the challenge!

[Truckman]

Hah! A bunch of kids... ...Ben

[annash]

Good luck, scary but fun

[OZZI-BLOKE]

Good luck Cal. Just remember to enjoy yourself and have fun with what you are doing.

[Cygnus]

Thanks all. I have made the formal announcement that I will "officially" leave the business side of the hobby on Oct 1st. There are a few small dealers that I will do a little consulting for here and there, but my day to day work will be done !!!!!!!!

After discussing it with friends and family and some very trusted business sources, I will make the leap into photography. A small office with studio built in. Nothing too retail, but headshots and some portrait work for businesses and groups will certainly be in order. A ton of product shots will of course be the main stay and coin/currency shots will be the bread and butter of my business.

For small product work, my set up is already well in hand, so I will be soliciting advice on studio set ups.

I have decided to stick with Nikon as I am most familiar with the system. So here is my basic line of thinking, and please jump in if you can think of anything else.

(2) D3 cameras
(2) 50mm lens
(2) 17-55 lens
(2) 70-200 lens

(4-6) Muslin backdrops
basic light set up
main light set up

As the portrait work is going to be kind of be fill in work, I figured why go with something more?

A few props, and I should be up and running. I will offer some corporate event photography at some point, and maybe even a little social events, but until I am more comfortable with this business, I figured to stay with what I know.

The big part on my end will be moving to the north bay region of California. I absolutely love the area, and can't think of a better place to live.
So, that is the update for now, and again, please offer any suggestions for equipment that you can think of, and if available online, please link a website.   

[Truckman]

Nothing beats having a well thought out plan and then executing it...Good luck to you...Ben

[bpsphoto]

Having done studio portraiture in the past, I can tell you that for that work, nothing beats a moderate telephoto prime lens. For my Hasselblad it's a 150mm lens. For the D3, I'd get Nikon's 105mm Micro-Nikkor http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/424744-USA/Nikon_2160_105mm_f_2_8G_ED_IF_AF_S.html.

I envy (somewhat) the stability you have and business experience. That'll serve you very well.

[Cygnus]

Okay folks, more updates.

The new studio will be "Cygnus Studios"

I am in the process of building a website now, however is you go to Cygnus Studios now, you will get my smugmug site. This will change soon.
I have ordered most of the equipment at this point, and hopefully all will be up and running by Jan 1st. I will be doing a little freelance work until my official retirement.

[Ross and Cher]

Congrats on the migration Steve! Am sure it will go well!

[admin]

Hi Steve,

You will see that as per your request, the Light Artist formally known as 'Calnumismatist' has transmogrified into 'Cygnus'. Good luck!

My twenty cents worth:
For your requirements, check out the new D700 - pretty much all of the F3 features, It will be popular in portrait circles, just as the '5' Canon is. Lighter and less expensive. I agree with the 100mm f2.8 macro idea, very sharp. We also use a stabilized 70-200mm f.28 - beautiful, but remember to turn off the stabilizer when on a tripod. I also recommend 2 or three SB-800 flashes. You'll be surprised at what can be done with them.
The other popular tool here at the moment is a hand-held zoom video light. You can create some great effects, where there is otherwise little creative opportunity.

Also, we find that for portrait work, hooking up with a group that has an existing audience - and sees a benefit in adding value to the relationship, can work wonders. Piggyback their marketing with a genuine quality 'thank you' certificate offer.
We do this, offering a free session and a no obligation free enlargement on archival paper.
Some just take the free print...but if you do your job well and knock their socks off with the quality of the portrait work, you will sell without selling and the word of mouth flows. We are also finding the there is a demand for 'natural light' work, shot out of doors.
For presenting in a professional manner, check out Pro Select at www.timeexposure.com and invest in an HDMI cable between your laptop/PC and a high res Plasma or LCD screen. Add a little appropriate background music, lights down and magic happens.

[Cygnus]

Thanks for the suggestions. Over the next week or so, everyday will feel like Christmas as packages arrive. I will be showing pics of all the new equipment as it arrives 

[Truckman]

I will be showing pics of all the new equipment as it arrives 

Ooohhh...Now we're talkin'... ...Ben

[Cygnus]

The website Cygnus Studios is coming along nicely, albeit a bit slow for my taste. I will be out traveling this weekend with some of the new equipment taking some pics to fill up some of the catagory headings.
I have added a link to this forum (first one on the links page).

The bulk of the new equipment should be arriving on Thursday 
This will include the Bigma along with both new D3's. While I have almost a dozen new lenses coming, I am most excited about this monster lens.
Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I will be posting some pics on Tuesday (holiday weekend for us) showcasing what the new equipment can do.

[Helen]

It's coming along very nicely, Steve. Best wishes for a very bright and successful new career. 

[admin]

Man o man,
Between 4 or 5 of you lot over the last 6 weeks of so, a small truck load of $$ has changed hands.
Vury vury envious, of all that new gear! Good on you all.