The Ultimate Budget Photography Setup: What You Actually Need to Start Shooting Fashion & Street Photography

Written By hazyskyphoto .

Getting started in photography—especially fashion or street photography—can feel overwhelming when you're on a budget. Trust me, I’ve been there. Over the past few years, I’ve built up my own photography kit piece by piece, working with a very limited budget. If you're looking for a bare-bones setup that still gets the job done, this post is for you.

Here’s everything you need to get started with photography without draining your bank account.

1. Start with a Camera Body

The foundation of any photography setup is the camera body. This is the actual device that captures your images, and it doesn’t need to be the most expensive model on the market.

Popular beginner-friendly brands include Canon, Nikon, and Sony. I personally use Canon, because it’s a well-established brand with a wide range of gear at various price points.

  • Entry-level DSLR or mirrorless bodies can start around $300–$500 used or refurbished.

  • You don’t need full-frame right away—crop-sensor cameras are more than enough to learn the craft and get high-quality images.

Choose a camera body that fits your budget while still leaving room for other essentials (trust me, you’ll need that flexibility).

2. Choose a Versatile Lens

Once you’ve got a camera body, the next must-have is a lens. While there's a huge range of options, the best beginner photography lens is one that’s versatile and works well in multiple shooting scenarios—especially for fashion, portraits, and street photography.

  • I recommend starting with a zoom lens in the 20-70mm range.

  • These lenses cover wide angles for street scenes and tighter shots for portraits.

  • Many camera kits come with an 18-55mm kit lens, which is a decent starting point.

Eventually, you might want to invest in a prime portrait lens—like the Canon 85mm, which I added later for sharper portraits—but a zoom lens in the 20–70mm range can handle a wide variety of shoots.

3. Buy a Quality SD Card

Your camera is only as reliable as your memory card. Don’t cheap out here.

Look for:

  • High read/write speeds (at least 90–100MB/s)

  • Brands like SanDisk, Lexar, or Samsung

Fast cards not only prevent lag but are crucial for shooting in burst mode or video.

4. Pick Up an External Flash (with TTL)

If you plan to shoot in low-light conditions—or indoors—you’ll need a flash. Many budget cameras don’t have strong built-in flashes, so investing in an external flash is a must.

  • Make sure the flash is compatible with your camera brand.

  • Look for flashes that include TTL (Through-The-Lens) metering. TTL is basically “auto mode” for flash—it simplifies exposure settings.

Even an affordable flash with TTL can dramatically improve your image quality.

5. Invest in a Functional Camera Bag (Preferably a Backpack)

As soon as you start shooting on location, you’ll realize how important a good camera bag is.

  • I started with a simple shoulder bag, but quickly upgraded to a camera backpack.

  • Backpacks allow you to carry multiple lenses, flashes, batteries, and accessories.

  • Look for padded interiors, adjustable compartments, and waterproofing if possible.

A good bag protects your gear and keeps your workflow smooth during shoots.

6. Add a Sturdy Tripod

Tripods aren’t just for landscape photographers. A sturdy tripod helps when:

  • Shooting low-light portraits

  • Creating long-exposure street photography

  • Recording behind-the-scenes content or self-portraits

Skip the cheap, shaky tripods and go for one that can support the weight of your camera body and lens.

7. Set Up a Basic Indoor Studio Light Kit

If you’re planning any indoor or studio portrait work, lighting is essential. Most rental studios don’t provide lights, and poor lighting will hold you back.

Here’s what I recommend:

  • A softbox kit with two lights

  • Two umbrella lights

  • A backdrop stand and a few different backdrops

I got mine on Amazon for around $130, and it’s paid for itself many times over.

Final Thoughts: Start Simple, Grow Over Time

You don’t need a $5,000 rig to start your photography journey. With a decent camera body, a versatile lens, good lighting, and smart accessories, you’ll be more than ready to shoot stunning fashion and street photos.

Whether you’re starting as a hobbyist or hoping to go pro, these essentials will carry you a long way.

hazyskyphoto .
Previous

What I would tell my past self.

Next

Blog Post Title Four