My Camera Journey: From Entry-Level to Pro

I started out with a Canon Rebel T8i, an entry-level DSLR that cost me around $1,000. It wasn’t fancy, but it helped me master my settings and work harder to get the shots I wanted. Eventually, I upgraded to the Canon R6, but only after my Rebel broke (whomp whomp).

Looking back, I don’t regret starting with a lower-end camera. It taught me the fundamentals and forced me to improve my skills before relying on better gear.

When Should You Upgrade?

The right time to upgrade depends on where you’re at in your photography journey. Here are a few things to consider:

Are you limited by your current camera? If you’re consistently hitting the limits of what your camera can do, like struggling in low light or missing focus then it might be time to upgrade.

Do you fully understand manual settings? If you haven’t mastered shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, a better camera won’t necessarily improve your photos.

Can you justify the cost? High-end cameras are an investment. If your current camera still meets your needs, you might be better off investing in better lenses first. That being said, you can get some good interest free payment plans (that's how I paid for my first one). Just check the terms and details before you do that, I am not a credit score expert!

However, before you take the plunge and invest in new gear, level up with these 4 tips

#1 Work on your booking process

A new camera does not equal a good photo, but a good plan.. that's a recipe for a great photo.

A strong intake process doesn’t just build trust with your clients & keep you organized, it also helps you plan your sessions, be prepared, which generally equals better photos.

Intake form questions that can lead to better photos:

“What are everyone’s names, & ages of kids”

• Memorize your clients names. It makes it a lot easier to direct people. Knowing the ages of kids helps so much for planning your poses & prompts, as well as offering location suggestions, and creating vision boards.

“The most important photo you want captured during the shoot”

• I did a family shoot recently, & the mom added a note that they wanted some solo pics of them & their kiddo because they didn’t have many. I would have definitely gotten a few, but I made sure to get more than usual. While this doesn’t necessarily make my photos “better”, it leads to a happier client, which is kinda the point.

“What are you most nervous about”

• When you know what people are worried about, you can help them. Less nerves, usually means more natural, candid, relaxed photos.

“Do you need help styling your outfits”

• Even if you have an outfit guide, offering additional help can go a long way. If you like photographing certain colours, or dont want someone blending into the scenery, offering that little extra help can make for better photos.

#2 Really learn your settings



I know you know your camera settings, but stop for a moment & think…

How much time are you spending adjusting white balance, exposure, cropping, etc during the editing process? What could you improve on to get your photos as close to perfect in camera as possible?

The better you are at that, the less time you spend editing & the more time you spend doing other things that help you grow your business. Plus, there are some things you just can’t fix afterwards. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way.

#3 take a course with a photographer you admire

There are so many amazing photographers out there offering courses on improving photography skills. I took a course on family photography, and was able to ask the photographer so many questions & they even audited an album of mine. This was an amazing opportunity to level up my skills and find my niche.



#4 Get comfortable with all lighting scenarios

When I realized I can book a photoshoot for any time of day, my portfolio got more exciting, my work-life balance improved (hello 10am photoshoot!!), & I gained a lot of confidence in my work. All of this lead me to take better photos.

And after all of that, if & when you are ready, go buy a new camera!

Want to see what gear I use? You can shop my camera gear here.