How exciting @aggroed this will be a blast for you.
I bought my first 50 mm lens this week and now I can not find my tripod so stepped out and got a new one today .. I looked at different ones and ended up getting a Sirui... has the 360 head ... I looked at the Manfrottos.. I did get a Manfrotto back pack a while back.

Anyway, it does all add up .. where are you located ..wish I could visit the studio. You are going to do great things.