If you’re a photographer you have one of these. Its like a little guy who sits on your shoulder and ooohhs and aaggghhs about photo gear he knows you really need to make better pictures. He used to be a sucker for megapixels but is kind of over that now, to an extent. Wait though, there’s full frame sensors, lower noise, HD videos, there’s always something. He’s still very susceptible to advertising, to buzz, to beautiful design. Sometimes he’ll even drool a little with desire, which naturally makes you irrational about purchase decisions. If he’s really excited he jumps up and down so much you actually need that new DSLR body and lense to hang off the other shoulder to even things up a bit.

Ok, maybe your guy is a little different, maybe she’s a demoness, maybe she’s more subtle. But you have one, trust me. Actually if you’re a male photographer and you have the subtle gear lust demoness whispering in your ear you’re probably in more trouble than I can help you with. Sorry. For the rest of us I offer this little piece of advice; think before you buy.

This actually was drilled into me, subtly, by my Mum when I was a teenager and considering the odd signicant purchase. She told me if I wasn’t sure about a purchase to just keep thinking about it for the time being and come back later if I decided I really did want to spend the money. That has stayed with me so far and stood me in pretty good stead in life as more of a saver than a spender, which I’m grateful for. Thanks Mum!

Now in terms of photo gear purchases I develop this thinking to pause before any investment in gear and really consider how it will benefit my photography. What will I be able to do with this new gear that I can’t already do with my exisitng equipment. The answer needs to be compelling enough to justify the investment in cold hard cash. Often it isn’t and I don’t buy the gear, I probably still ‘want’ it, (and I know my demon definitely does) but I’ve given myself enough pause for thought that I know I don’t actually need it enough to justify the cost. I may still make the purchase at a later stage, when I do need it sufficiently, or find I can rent a lense for instance. I’m in control though, most of the time, not my demon.

If your photography is, at least in part, about making some income then you really need to think along these lines. The quickest way to improve your bottom line in any business is to reduce costs! An investment in new gear needs to pay dividends over time to justify the money you’ve shelled out and pausing for thought will help raise the odds in your favour that your photography equipment shopping is well considered.