Note: Photographers’ Friday is a weekly blog series directed toward professional photographers, and in some instances, serious amateur photographers. All Photographers’ Friday blog posts will assume that readers have a basic working knowledge of digital SLR cameras, but if you’re left with questions or don’t understand any of the information, don’t hesitate to ask. We love e-mails!

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If you were anything like me, when you got your first DSLR, it seemed huge. It felt heavy. The lens looked intimidatingly large, and you might have even thought your nifty pop-up flash put the little built-in flash in your point and shoot to shame.

But then, as you really delved into photography and immersed yourself in the photography world, it was only a matter of time before your once-glitteringly-beautiful DSLR seemed kind of rinky-dink. It felt plasticky and unsubstantial in your hands. That kit lens you’d considered so big was now an embarrassment — because everyone could tell it was a kit lens simply by the mechanics of how it zoomed. And the pop-up flash? Pppshhh! Who would ever use that?! Seriously. It was time to upgrade.

Yes, Danny and I upgraded. Eventually. Only after we carefully weighed all the pros and cons and decided that upgrading our equipment was the smartest move for our business.
So how does a photographer know whether his or her equipment is adequate or should be replaced? Every situation is going to be different, but here are our checklists for when to upgrade, and when to sit tight and make the most of what you already have.

Upgrade When:

• Your equipment is truly holding you back — you’ve pushed your current equipment to its limits, and it simply isn’t meeting your needs.
• Your old equipment has about run its course, and reinvesting in outdated technology seems like a bad move.
• You have saved up enough money to purchase your longed-for upgrade with cash that isn’t earmarked for something more essential.

Don’t Upgrade When:

• You will take on unnecessary debt to make your purchase.
• You’re feeling the urge to “keep up” with other photographers.
• You don’t have enough work lined up to justify the big expense if your older equipment is working fine.
• There are more pressing areas of your business where you should allot your cash surplus.

That’s my take on upgrading versus not upgrading. And I’m someone who did see a huge improvement in the quality of my work — and, yes, felt more “legitimate” once I had a camera bag filled with professional-grade camera bodies and top-of-the-line glass. I definitely remember the adrenaline rush of finally having all the equipment that I felt backed up being a professional photographer.

But the truth is that every good photographer knows the camera doesn’t do the work. It only plays a supporting role to the person who is creating the art. So it’s wonderful to have the best-of-the-best equipment at your fingertips — but even if you don’t have the latest camera model or a whole shelf full of the most expensive lenses, you can build a very successful photography business and create photographs your clients will treasure .

~ Laura