Ok, being a photographer doesn’t suck, from a life-fulfillment and pure-awesome level. But, on a financial level, it sucks. Big time.
If I were a painter, I wouldn’t be like, ‘OH DEAR GOD, DID YOU SEE THE NEW BRUSHES BEING RELEASED NEXT WEEK? THEY’RE SO RAD, AND ALL THE PRICES OF THE OTHER BRUSHES WILL COME DOWN, TOO!’ Likewise, as a seamstress or a sculptor or an illustrator, there just aren’t *that* many changes that can happen. Better sewing machines, maybe, but not a constant barrage of technology. And if the new, better-than-ever pencil-that-fulfills-my-illustrator-dreams is released, it won’t cost $21,000.
As photographers, we are constantly constantly CONSTANTLY being suckered into buying new equipment. New lenses, ‘better’ camera bodies, terrabytes of memory space, bigger softboxes, more powerful strobes, etc, etc, etc…and adding video to the mix only opens up another frontier of stuff to buy.
To better evaluate your current equipment needs, ask yourself: Are you BEING HELD BACK by your equipment? I didn’t ask if you wanted new equipment. I asked if you are being held back by what you have.
Have you mastered everything you own? Could you, if forced, shoot a wedding with a single camera body and a single lens? (Not *should* you, but *could* you?) Do you know your way around the lighting equipment you have? Can you alter your flash settings in the dark or blindfolded? Can you adjust your camera while shooting manually without fiddling too terribly much? Are you nailing exposure and focus while pushing yourself artistically every time you hit that shutter button?
If you’re answering ‘yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes’ and you’re being held back, go for it. Write the check and Godspeed, lovely! If not, remember: you will always want that new lens. There will always be a shiny new release coming down the pike. But chasing the equipment dream is by no means the same as chasing your artistic vision.
I remember reading in some article that said a huge difference between pro and amateur photographers, is that pros update LESS frequently. They keep a camera until it no longer suits their purposes (whether because they really do need video, or it’s shot from overuse), and then get new equipment.
I’d say my equipment probably is holding me back – I outgrew my D40 much quicker than expected, and have collected several great lenses that won’t autofocus with it. But now I find myself asking, how much camera do I really need? Do I need full frame? Really? Should I get the D300, or do I really only need the D90?
It’s hard not to want to buy the latest and greatest, especially for gadget-heads, but if you’re trying to run a business, I think “is it holding me back?” is a great way to combat gear lust.
awesome post!!!
I truly believe that thinking the latest and greatest will improve the quality of one’s business is the easiest trap that so many new photographers fall into. It may help the quality of your work to some degree (for some it doesn’t)- but bigger and better equipment rarely translates into greater sales and business growth.
All it does is add my overhead
I agree!! I think that I love the photos I get from my camera now. I think we forget to be happy with what we have, a ploy from those whose job it is to convince us that we cannot live without whatever it is that they are offering. When I’m ready for upgrades, I’ll go looking. On my own.
I have actually been following this advice, and it so helps. Rock what you’ve got.
I insist on true need before I buy gear, but that doesn’t stop me from a lot of wanting before then! I’ve reached the need point though with a few lenses, or at least I’ve convinced myself that my life will not be complete without the 50mm f/1.2 and the 85mm f/1.2. Someday…
Right now, I believe that answer is YES! I’ve been shooting Olympus because I had a friend that worked there years ago. It’s great except for the 4:3 when trying to print. I always have to spend more time cropping the photos to fit to standard prints. There’s definitely things the camera doesn’t do that I would love to fix with an new model. Being able to shoot more in lowlight wouldn’t hurt either. It has so much noise.
Now that I’ve been trying to set up the business, I’ve been wanting to pick up the D3 for awhile, but now the D4 will be out next year which seems like a pretty nice upgrade. It might be too far out of the picture now though. Second quarter is a long wait!
Man, this hurts my feelings. I have the biggest upgrade list in history. But I guess I better start utilizing what I have to the fullest before I give it all up. THANKS.
And by feeling I mean ruins my plans.