As photographers, we spend a lot of cash on various pieces of equipment and other paraphernalia. Sometimes we may wonder if it’s worth it or if this purchase is really all that practical. I tend to always believe “yes” it’s always worthwhile and we shouldn’t hesitate so long as we’re actually able to afford these items. I feel as though a lot of amateurs are indecisive about making purchases because they make these purchases based on an immediate need for the items. That’s completely the wrong reason to buy anything in my opinion. And if you’re an amateur, there’s a reason you don’t already have that background setup…. it’s because you’re an amateur and you pretty much have nothing.. ;)

There’s nothing wrong with that, though. I, of course, had nothing at one point as well, and I certainly made poor purchases at times, but by in large, I made good purchases. The trick is to consider yourself a pro. If you’re going to buy something you shouldn’t calculate whether or not you can afford it based on one shoot. That says a lot of negative things about you. That says you’re not committed to this line of photography. It says that you have doubts. Basically.. it says that you don’t expect you’d use this piece of gear again and that on its own is a poor approach. Kind of gives me the impression you don’t have enough confidence in your craft to believe that you’ll continue to be a photographer say, in a year from now. To me.. buying cheap gear is like giving up before you even start. Again there are exceptions, sometimes we need to work our way up to bigger and better gear, and other times people are still unsure how deep their passion for photography lies. But I’m talking to those people who are “committed”. Those people who are calling themselves “Pro Photographers” and telling the world they can handle anything.

If you believe that this is your career and thereby it’s essentially going to be your life. You should treat it as such. Don’t buy that nasty tiny gross little pathetic 12″ product box! It’s small and ugly and can’t fit things in it! Go ahead, splurge and treat yourself to that 36″ box. You’re going to use it way more and it’s also nicer to look at :P. Now I’m not suggesting we spend frivolously, although I do tend to do that at times myself. What I’m saying is don’t hesitate with your gear. Get what you think would suit you in the long run if you’re able to. If you’re eventually going to buy a 36″ product box, you’re going to be feelin’ kind of dumb having that 12″ one as well. At least I would.

I know from personal experience that there have been a good handful of items that I’ve picked up that have only paid for themselves after a couple of years of shooting with them. But these are things that will last many more years to come and so they’re well worth it in my opinion (btw I’m not talking about cameras since they die a lot faster then most people expect them to..).

The moral of this story is that if you’re confident in yourself, act like it in every regard. Even when it comes to buying things. If you’re being a cheapo on gear, then there’s probably a reason and that reason might just be that you’re not as confident in yourself as you hope/think you are. And we all know that a photographer without confidence is as good as a photographer without a camera.

Thanks for reading,

David Dvir