Written by Mark Mendoza on January 19, 2022
Every now and again when I’m working on-location at a business, someone will pass by, notice all the photo equipment, and invariably come to me and ask some version of the following: “I’m looking to buy a camera—What do you think of the new xyz camera by abc camera company? What are the specs? How many pixels does it have? What kind of sensor? What resolution images does it take?” I watch as disappointment fall across their face when I tell them that I’m sorry, but I’m not familiar with that camera.
I’ll let you in on a little secret: I’m not a technical photographer. That is, I am more interested in the artistry of photography than I am the various specifications of the gear. Don’t get me wrong—there are technical aspects of photography and of cameras and lighting gear that one must understand in order to be effective. But that said, at the end of the day, it’s all about the image. I’ve always felt that image trumps everything. If the client loves your images, they’re not going to care what camera you used to shoot it.
Have you ever heard anyone say they are hiring a photographer because they themselves don’t own the right gear? That is often the refrain I hear from someone who believes that gear is all that separates them from the pros. But ask yourself this: If all the pro gear you needed were handed to you, would that make you a pro? Would you have the experience necessary to use any of it to create a quality image? Would you have the lighting skills to properly light products and people? Would you understand the principles of aperture, ISO, and shutter speed? If not, then perhaps there is more to being a professional photographer than just gear.
Like so many professions, being a professional photographer takes a special mix of skills and experience. And yes, it takes some gear, too. I work with Canon cameras including the Canon R5 featuring the latest “mirrorless” technology, along with a wide assortment of lenses. My lighting consists of industry-leading Profoto flashes, stands, grip gear, etc. I use all this equipment together with my lighting and composition skills to get just the shot I’m looking for.
There is more to being a professional photographer than simply owning the right equipment.
Quality, high-end images are what my customers expect. What camera I use or how many pixels it has, doesn’t matter as much to me, or to my clients. So if you’re looking for a professional photographer, forget the specs, and remember: image is king!
Want to learn more? Reach out anytime!
Tags: professional photographer