Getting into the photography business was something I’ve always wanted to do. Ever since I was a kid, the idea of photography fascinated me, so I knew early on that it was what I wanted to pursue as a career.
But diving headfirst into photography without any mentoring was not only difficult but also expensive. I bought gear I didn’t need and posted photos that no one saw. From the start, I realised this journey would be incredibly challenging, and along the way to becoming a full-time photographer, I had to learn a few things the hard way.
One of the first lessons was the importance of file organisation. At first, I’d just dump all my photos into a folder, name it "Photos," and call it a day. This system worked for a while, but it quickly became a nightmare when I needed to find specific images or pick up where I left off. A well-organised filing system can significantly improve your workflow and boost productivity by at least 20%. I even wrote an entire article on how to organise your files properly—trust me, it will save you a lot of headaches.
Another lesson was to take photos even when you don’t feel like it. Photography is a beautiful hobby and profession, but burnout and lack of motivation are real. The key is to show up, especially on those mornings when you don’t want to. You don’t need to capture the best shot every time; sometimes, it’s just about picking up your camera, going for a walk, and taking photos to remind yourself why you started in the first place.
Investing in a UV filter is something else I wish I’d learned sooner. Research will tell you that UV filters don’t improve image quality, they say it reduces haze or minimising the blue cast caused by ultraviolet light in certain conditions. But that’s not the point. Let me tell you about the time a piece of steel wool hit my $3,000 lens during a shoot. If I had a $80 UV filter on, the damage would have been to the filter, not the lens. Now, I never go without one, as UV filters act as a protective barrier between your lens glass and the elements.
When it comes to gear, I learned that investing in lenses is more important than splurging on camera bodies. Lenses > Camera Bodies. Early on, I thought I needed the latest camera to get the best photos, so I bought the kit lens and didn’t think much of it. I had the highly-rated 5D MKIV, but my images weren’t as sharp, and my autofocus was failing. It wasn’t the camera—it was the lens. After upgrading to a 16-35mm f/2.8 MKIII, the difference was night and day. Lenses can last a lifetime, while camera technology evolves rapidly, so investing in quality glass is essential.
You don’t need the latest gear to take great photos.
Often, people blame their gear when their work doesn’t turn out as expected. But the truth is, it’s not the camera—it’s the user. I’ve seen photographers create beautiful work with 8-year-old cameras because they know how to use them. My camera, made in 2015, still takes stunning photos because I’ve learned how to make the most of it.
Remember, the trend these days is to shoot with film cameras from the 1980s. Those are definitely not the latest, yet they hold up because of their unique style. Learn to work with what you have, and you’ll see improvement in your photography.
Sometimes people can blame there camera for not taking good photos, but in fact if could be your editing.
I've learned a lot about editing over the years, and I’ve put all that knowledge into my LPD Studios presets. I’ve spent hours upon hours, tweaking every slider so you don’t have to. If you're looking to improve your photography, you can download my presets and start editing like a professional in the matter of minutes.
Read up on what we have to say about photography and its many aspects, from creative tips, behind-the-scenes stories to the business side
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