When you do buy, try to DIY (“Do It Yourself”).
Brand-name video and photography accessories can be
expensive. Thankfully, a large number of “DIY” sites have
been created. Sites like CheesyCam.com have tutorials to
create or buy inexpensive versions of popular items like
video stabilizers, dollies, LED lights, and camera sliders.
Get releases and avoid logos and trademarks.
If your images show people or property, they can’t be licensed
for commercial use without a model or property release. They
also can’t be used commercially if they contain obvious logos or
trademarks. Getting a signed release will ensure that you
get the highest return on your work.
Get creative with your space.
You don’t need a 2,000-square-foot studio to shoot sellable
photos. A clean white bathtub can be used creatively to get
object shots on a white background. Many amazing shots
are taken in garages against a small seamless white or black
backdrop. Be sure to pay careful attention to lighting, but
remember that no one can see what’s outside of the frame.