In November, I sat down to make a Christmas list for myself. Yes, I still make a list. My husband claims to not like ideas, but funny how he usually uses them… and my mom & dad still spoil me with thoughtful gifts on Christmas and specifically ask me for a list of ideas.
If you ask me for ideas for my 4 year old, I’d start talking before you could grab a pen and paper. What things does my oldest like? Well, how much time do you have? But me? I don’t know. I need a little time to pause and think about it. And that’s really motherhood, isn’t it? Spending 99% off your time thinking about everyone else so that when someone actually asks you what you need you draw a blank?
This time of year, I usually I spend time researching new photography equipment I might want…lenses, cameras, flashes, cute bags & straps. But, I’ve found that over the years I’ve begun looking less and less at the newest, shiniest camera stuff. I’ve come to truly understand that the camera does not make the photo. The photographer does.
So much goes into a photo before it’s snapped…so much that if I made a bulleted list right now your head would spin and you’d likely stop reading before you finished. And most of the items on that list, you would find, happen inside the photographer’s head before one button is pressed or dial turned.
Questions are asked and answered, priorities put in place, and decisions made. Only after those things does she reach up and make the camera adjustments that will give her that image that’s been cooked up in her mind.
So why am I sharing this with you? To make you appreciate the mental effort that your photographer’s pouring out behind the camera at your session? (Maybe a little.) But mostly, just to reassure you that you don’t actually need the newest, shiniest, best camera equipment to take great photos.
What you do need is a solid understanding of how to use the equipment that you already have. You need to be able to ask those questions, set those priorities, and make those split-second decisions and you need to know which adjustments on your camera will actually help you achieve what you’re looking for.
So if you have a DSLR camera sitting around collecting dust, dig it out from that back closet shelf, blow it off, and focus on learning how to use it well before setting your eyes on something newer and shinier.
After all, people with the very best, most expensive camera equipment can take terrible photos and people with a bottom of the line, beginner camera can turn out something that takes your breath away.
If you’d like to start learning just a little more about that camera of yours, I’ve got something for you>>>>
Until Next Time,
P.S.If you’re ready to really learn how to use your camera from the bottom up, I’ve been cooking something up for you and you’ll get your first peek at it in a few short weeks. If you want to be the first to know, you can jump on my weekly email list here.
I couldn’t agree with you more! Even budget cameras can capture great photos – you just have to learn the basic of photography and of course, learn the camera itself. 🙂
– Hazel https://hazywanders.com/
I couldn’t agree with you more! Even budget cameras can capture great photos – you just have to learn the basic of photography and of course, learn the camera itself. 🙂
– Hazel https://hazywanders.com/