Why Gear Actually Matters (But Not How You Think)

Gear excites me, but not for the reason you might think.

To me, gear is a direct translation of a creator’s process. The brands we choose: Sony, Canon, Panasonic, Nikon. they all say something about who we are. They’re like unconscious self-portraits of the artist. I don’t think the brand itself really matters, but the choice does. It hints at our lifestyle, our priorities, and our creative taste. That’s a side of gear people rarely talk about.

That being said… gear does matter. Just not in the way most people frame it.

Creativity today is more accessible than ever. Just pull out your phone, point, and shoot. congratulations, you’re a creator. The barrier to entry has all but disappeared. That’s beautiful, but here’s the catch: the gear you choose should serve the feeling you’re trying to capture.

For example, if you want razor-sharp photos of cars racing at 100 miles an hour, you’ll need something fast, not an old hand-me-down DSLR or an iPhone. But if you’re trying to capture the magic of a lived-in room, a forgotten corner, or a quiet field, then that same hand-me-down camera might be perfect. Why? Because it matches the feeling.

Gear is context.

It matters immensely, but only when paired with the story you’re trying to tell. A $5,000 camera with all the megapixels in the world won’t necessarily make your story stronger. Sometimes, the “lesser” gear brings out the soul of the moment.

So yes, gear matters. But here’s the truth: the viewer doesn’t care about your specs, they care about the story. About how it made them feel. About the process behind the image. That’s what keeps me excited about creating. Not the shiny new toys, but the meaning behind them.