The Gear Doesn't Make the Photographer

The best camera is the "one you have". This is true. This sentence is a mantra I live by everyday. While I have shot on the likes of RED Komodos, Hasselblad 500 C/Ms, Sony A7RIIIs, and Chamonix 4x5 view cameras, some of my favorite images were taken with my cell phone, a canon pocket point-and-shoot, a few disposable cameras, and my beat-up third-hand Sony A7 (2013 model). My professor could not have been more spot on when he said, "The camera is just a tool—the photographer is what makes the image."

As a photographer, you quickly learn two important truths:

1. Lighting is everything. Good light transforms an image.

2. You can—and should—push your gear to its limits.

As a kid, here is a photograph I took of Cathedral Rock at Philmont Scout Ranch on a Canon PowerShot ELPH135:

Cathedral Rock, Philmont Scout Ranch - Canon PowerShot ELPH135

Notice the highlight retention in the clouds and the shadow detail on the mountain, all in an unedited JPEG. This camera couldn’t shoot RAW, yet it captured enough dynamic range to print beautifully at 16 megapixels.

The Rise of Cell Phones

As much as I am a photography classicist with a bias towards professional gear, I will still say how impressive cell phone cameras have become. The latest iPhone and Android releases, not to mention the photo-centric Google Pixels, have unprecedented photo and video quality. Most cell phones now come with impressive megapixel counts for high quality printing as well as A.I. scene recognition for optimal exposure and focus adjustments. While iPhones dominate the U.S. market, Android deserves some credit, too:

BYU South Campus Walkway - Samsung Note10

I took this photo on a Samsung Note10 on the 0.5x setting and I am impressed by the color rendering and highlight retention, especially for a wide-angle phone shot.

A Case for Outdated Tech

Every year, manufacturers drop new camera bodies, leaving you wondering if you should’ve waited to buy. Camera companies thrive on making us feel like our gear is obsolete.

But here’s my counterpoint: outdated gear is still powerful gear.

May I put a word for those of us out there with outdated technology. A couple of years ago, I did a couple of fashion shoots with my decade-old Sony A7. Here are some finished photos from those two shoots:

The Sony A7 is the pioneer of full-frame mirrorless systems. It was the first compact camera to be released with a full-frame sensor without the mirror components. This camera took the world by storm and paved the way for the release of countless Sony Alpha workhorses, the popular Canon R cameras, and Nikon's impressive Z fleet. Mine has been through three previous owners and has been through a lot of love:

My Sony A7 (2013 Model)

Despite the battered condition, the image quality holds up.

Final Words of Advice

If upgrading isn’t in the cards for a while, don’t worry. Your creativity matters more than your gear. Here are two key principles to keep in mind:

1. Search and adapt for good light. Move your subject to flattering light. Avoid cluttered backdrops and, if needed, set up extra lights or a tripod.

   
   

2. Be the master of your gear. Learn every limitation and workaround. If your lens isn’t wide enough, step back. If autofocus is slow, anticipate and plan your shots. Work with your camera instead of against it. Chances are, in 2025, even your “old” gear is capable of stunning work.

   
   

Yes, I’m due for an upgrade—mostly for reliability on set and video versatility. But my trusty Sony A7 from 2013 isn’t going anywhere. It’s still perfect for portraits, headshots, and capturing shadow and highlight details with grace.

The camera is just a tool. You are the photographer.