When A Photographer Should Buy More Gear

Josh Binda, a Black Lives Matter activist and candidate for Lynnwood City Council. This image was created with a Sony A7III, Sony 28mm f2, a Godox AD200 in a Magbox, and a Godox flash transmitter.

I recently read an article on a photography site with the headline “Don’t upgrade your gear unless it is limiting you!” Over the years, I have heard this and similar arguments many times about photo gear. While I applaud the sentiment and the thriftiness of the idea, I do tend to disagree with this sort of thought process. To me, it takes a negative approach to expanding a creative process. I take a more nuanced approach to gear buying that embraces change and the creative inspiration that change can spark. 

To me, the ultimate goal of photography as a hobby or a career is to be creative and produce work that you love. Whether that is because of the subject matter such as a person you love, or because of the creative challenges you overcame to create the image, the end result is the most important thing. 

Jason & Frank of Shower to the People. For this image, I used a Sony A7III, 28mm f2 lens, and four flash units! There is one on the right side in a Magbox lighting Frank. One on the left with a MagSphere lighting Jason. There is one lighting the trailer with a yellow filter, and one behind them for rim lighting with a blue gel.

Because of this creative process where you work really hard and force yourself to stretch (sometimes painfully) to create something, we love the tools that let us create things. This is true with all creative endeavors. If you think photographers are crazier than other creatives, you should look up painting forums, or fountain pen aficionados. We develop crazy attachments to our favorite pieces of gear and are always eyeing a new lens or flash. 

Part of our love of gear is that talking about gear is really easy. Talking about the emotional struggle and ethereal aspects of creating art is far harder than, “what lens did you use?” When another photographer asks about a lens or camera that you used, it is really a compliment. It is them saying that they really like the image and they would like their work to look like yours, and the easiest part of that is buying the same gear.

I am a professional photographer. I also do photography as a hobby. When I am considering a new gear purchase (and when am I not?), I have a couple of processes that I go through. The first is what I do as a professional business owner and the other is when I’m being an amateur. 

This one is a super simple setup with found lighting. I used a Sony A7III and Sony 85mm f1.8.

For this image of a realtor in Seattle, I used my Sony A7III, Sony 85mm f1.8 lens, and two Alien Bee studio lights. Also involved were a gray paper background, background stands, a softbox, a grid, a giant reflector on a boom arm, some clamp, tape, step ladder, transmitter, receiver, a hand cart, and some other stuff that I’m sure I forgot to mention.

When I buy gear as a professional photographer and business owner, I basically treat it like I am filling out a purchase request to the company president. Even though I fill both roles of photographer and company president. I find this mental exercise to be helpful in evaluating my reason for the purchase. I try to use the following criteria. 

1. Will it improve my photography? That means, will I get better images because of focus improvements, speed of operation, low light ability, different lens perspective, etc.

2. Will it allow me to do something new creatively? Or, how does this allow me to do something I currently can’t do or easily do?

3. Does it somehow improve efficiency? Does it make my load lighter, my workflow faster, or in some way make things better for me?

4. How will it allow me to make more money? Does it improve my portfolio so I book more jobs? Does it open up a new market for my skills?

Once I have those questions answered, I can make a case for my purchase. However, this is not the only way or reason to evaluate a gear purchase. Sometimes, the new gear is for my hobby as a photographer. For that, I have a much bigger set of criteria that I use.

First, when you should buy new gear.

1. When your gear limits you from getting the shot you are inspired to shoot.

2. When a new piece of gear allows you to create something you couldn’t before.

3. When a new piece of gear makes you eager to go out and shoot with it.

4. When you can afford it.

5. When you are presented with a priceless opportunity

6. To shake the doldrums.

Second, when you shouldn’t

1. When you can’t afford it.

2. If you don’t really know how to use what you already own, it is going to be hard to make cooler, better images with something new.

Don’t do this

1. Buy the absolute best of the best without careful consideration. For example, if you pay twice or three times as much for a 35mm 1.4 as a 35mm 1.8, that may stop you from buying an additional lens or another piece of gear that allows you to do more in the future.

2. Buy things you are unwilling to carry with you. I’m looking at you, 400mm 2.8. It doesn’t matter how awesome something is if you leave it at home so you can use something lighter and easier to carry. I’m also looking at some of those Sigma lenses for Sony that are obviously just DSLR lenses with a converter on the back. 

3. Buy all the things at once. Every time you buy new gear, take the time to play with it and create great images with it before you move on to buying more gear. 

Jean Wu of the Bread Booth. This was shot with a Sony A7III, Zeiss Batis 25mm, a Godox transmitter and three Godox flashes. One with a Magbox, one with a orange gel, and one with a blue.

And, remember…

1. You can sell gear later, so buying a piece of gear is not forever. You can try something for a while and then sell it.

2. Other people are also buying and selling gear, so you may save money by buying used. 

3. Old gear can be fun, too, so don’t feel like new stuff is your only option.

4. Most people do photography for fun. So have fun with it and don’t stress!