Help Joi expand her photography business

My Fans, Clients, Family, Friends and Good souls that happen to read this:

I have been taking pictures since I was a child, watching my father take pictures and video was always something that I had a PASSION for. Three years ago I was laid off, pregnant and expecting my son two months after I got laid off. I knew I wasn't going to be able to get a 9-5 considering the circumstances, so I mustered up some courage, picked up my camera and I have not put it down since.

Three years ago I started my company, Joi Pearson Photography and it took off like a rocket. While living in Atlanta I started off shooting events for my good friends and a handful of celebrities in my network; shortly thereafter I started working with Straight From the A (an Atlanta based blog) and Rolling Out (an Atlanta based magazine). I have taken images of President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Jon Voight, Sting, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Li'l Wayne, Jane Fonda, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige and many, many more.

Quality photography is not cheap. It demands not only a quality photographer, but quality lenses, lights and prints. Although my business is expanding, it has the potential to expand much more rapidly with your help. I've put everything into this business and plan on putting much more. However, I know that I can't do it on my own.

I have opened a photography studio in Hampton, VA and I want the studio to GIVE as much as it GETS!

Though I have opened a studio, I have more renovations to get done. I want it to be a fully functioning, comprehensive photography studio offering commercial photography, headshots, and portrait photography at competitive rates. There will also be space available to be rented to local freelance photographers. It will be completely independent and locally owned. In my mind, it's all about paying it forward: For anyone who books services at full price, I will provide the same service to someone who cannot afford it themselves. For every headshot, portrait, maternity, toddler shoot etc. I will pay it forward to a family that needs assistance. Special consideration will be given to working single mothers and military families.
Why do I need your help?: I need to expand my equipment. A primary photographer should never have just one camera. My current camera could stop working and malfunction, and I don't have a solid back up to use. I own a Canon 7D and I LOVE my camera but I need a 2nd body. With a lifespan of up to 100,000 shutter clicks, mine has just passed 65,000. It's time to stop relying on it but to do so, I need another camera. Where the money will go?: DIRECTLY TO EQUIPMENT! I'm saving and putting it directly towards my new equipment. What I'm planning to buy?: Here is where your funding will go!

Hampton, VA studio build out ($8,500)
Apple 15' Mac Book Pro 8gb 512 mb solid state drive ($1799)
Canon EOS 5D 12.8 digital SLR (body only) $675 (refurbished)
24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens ($1,900)
70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens ($1,999)
85mm f/1.2L II USM Lens ($2,000)
Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8 ATX Pro DX Autofocus Zoom Lens for Canon ($569)
50mm 1.2 ($1439)
Alienbee's B1600 flash unit ($360)
Alienbee's B800 flash unit ($280) Vagabond Mini Lithium portable power ($240)
Savage 53" Widetone Paper Floor Display ($75)
Foldable large octabox ($170)
Octabox grid ($55)
Beauty dish ($80)
Speedlite Flash ($400)
Batteries, filters, SD cards ($500) Epson PM225 PictureMate Charm Compact Photo Printer ($175)
Pelican 1510LFC Laptop Overnight Case (Black) ($190)
Sekonic L-358 Flash Master Meter - Silver ($309)
Wall mount for paper rolls ($55)
Seamless Background Paper (107" x 12yds, #1 Super White) ($45)Seamless Background Paper (107" x 12yds, #27 Thunder Gray) ($42.50)
Seamless Background Paper (107" x 12yds, #37 Tulip) ($45.95)Variety of colors ($45.95x5= 229.75)
Foldable stripbox ($120 x2= $240) = Approx $22,373.20

My goal amount listed doesn't cover everything. I'll cover the remaining balance with my savings. I'm asking for your help to reach my goal MUCH sooner than I know I could by myself.
Any contribution is greatly appreciated! To get a feel for my work please visit my website at www.joipearson.com. You can see more of my photo journalism work on www.rollingout.com--search Joi Pearson. You can also like my page on Facebook at Joi Pearson Photography.

I sincerely thank you in advance!!