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Creative Success and Gear: A Stigma
Hello Hello! In honor of purchasing a new fancy camera I thought I would humble myself- and hopefully help encourage and motivate others- by writing about the stigma of feeling like you have to have fancy gear to be successful in the arts.
It’s so so so easy to look at other successful photographers, artists, musicians- you name it- and contribute their success to their gear. I’m guilty of it! But the truth is that creativity is in NO way contingent on the cost of your camera, the amount of lenses you have, or fancy studio set ups. In contrast, your creativity lies within YOU and how far you are willing to go.
First, some background info:
I started my little adventure in photography around 15 years old when I saved up all my money- from selling pigs in the fair, mind you…not kidding… farm girl runs through my blood- and bought a Canon Rebel T3i.
For those of you unfamiliar in photography, the T3i is the beginners camera; basic, easy to use, and pretty affordable.
Jump forward 5 years and I am still getting all the use out of that little machine. Granted, I’ve since invested in a nice lens which really helped up the image quality but I was still using the original basic model… and I’m pretty damn proud of the images we’ve made thus far!! That little guy has traveled all over with me, spent a year in Germany where it underwent quite a few falls, and has photographed weddings, engagements, business head-shots, portraits, friends, family, events, baseball games, the list goes on!;)
What I’m getting at is that this little $700 camera (at the time) has launched my creativity in ways I am so grateful for. By being limited in my gear I have been able to push myself, learned to make do with what I have, and understand that my creativity does not rely on my resources, but rather on ME and how far I’m willing to push myself.
I bet you’re thinking, “well ok Alyson then why the heck did you go out and buy a fancy new camera??”… Valid question! I am now reaching a point where I am making money off of my creativity (which is a beautiful thing!!) and therefore, I am able to upgrade… Not because I feel like my success relies on it, but rather, because I now have the means and am ready to take my creativity to the next level.
I write this hoping to reach those who are just starting out, feeling like they can’t be “good” until they have the resources. This doesn’t just apply to the arts, but to all aspects of life. Your value does not rely on your “gear” aka your income, the amount of friends you have, the events you go to… That does not make or break your success… it can catapult it, yes, but it does not make or break you- that comes from grit.
The following pictures where taken with ZERO set up, no studio, no special lighting… just my T3i, 50mm lens, a stool, and the living room wall in my house. That’s it.
This was a shoot with Kahlea literally just in front of a white wall in downtown st pete. Again, no set up;)
So go out and push yourself, use the resources you have and exemplify them. You’ll be surprised the things you can create:)
Much love,
Alyson
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