Essential Equipment for Beginner Photographers
The Beginner Photographer’s Guide to Essential Equipment
When you first start photography, it can be tempting to buy a lot of equipment. From cameras to lenses and everything in between, the choices are overwhelming. But here’s the truth: as a beginner, you really don’t need much to get started.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the essential equipment that every beginner photographer should have. Whether you want to take better photos of your family, nature, or street scenes, this list will help you make smart decisions without breaking the bank.
1. Start With Your Phone (If You Want to Keep It Simple)
If your goal is simply to take better photos of your daily life, you might not even need a dedicated camera. Your phone is a powerful tool, and today’s smartphones come with high-quality cameras. For those who are just starting out and don’t want to invest in expensive gear, using your phone is perfectly fine.
Curiosity: According to Photutorial’s research, 94% of all photos taken in 2024 are from Smartphones.
Maximise Your Phone Photography with These Simple Tips:
Master Basic Composition Techniques
Composition is key to great photography, even on a phone. Learn techniques like the rule of thirds, which helps balance your shots and makes them more visually appealing.Harness the Power of Natural Light
Understanding natural light can elevate your photos. Pay attention to how light interacts with your subject throughout the day. You don’t need a fancy camera—just practice observing light and its effects on your images.Experiment with Angles and Perspectives
Trying different angles is a quick and fun way to improve your photography. Move around your subject, try different heights, and shift perspectives. You’ll be amazed at how drastically a simple angle change can transform your shot.
If your phone is where you feel comfortable starting, go for it. Once you feel like you’ve outgrown your phone camera, it might be time to invest in something more serious.
2. Beginner Photography Camera
If you’re ready to take photography more seriously, you’ll need a dedicated camera. But you don’t need the most expensive one on the market! A solid entry-level DSLR or mirrorless camera will give you everything a beginner photographer needs.
Look for a camera with these features:
Manual Controls: Being able to adjust settings like ISO, shutter speed, and aperture will help you learn the basics of photography and to capture images with more quality.
Interchangeable Lenses: This gives you the flexibility to switch between different types of photography styles.
Some popular beginner photography camera models include the Canon EOS Rebel series or the Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras.
This is the camera I chose when I was starting in photography, a model launched in 2018 which I bought in 2023, the Sony Alpha 7III.
A great tip from pro photographers is to buy used gear. I ended up buying mine new, but if I’d known about places like MPB, a trusted online marketplace for photography gear, I would have gone that route instead.
I highly recommend you to buy used gear. You can save a lot of money from the start.
3. Do You Need Extra Lenses? (Not Yet)
Your camera will likely come with a “kit lens,” which is perfect for most beginner photographers. Kit lenses usually cover a wide range of focal lengths, making them versatile for different types of photography.
This is the kit lens that I used for almost the entire first year and that came with my camera:
Here’s a quick tip: Don’t feel pressured to rush into buying extra lenses before using your kit lens extensively. Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or street photography, the kit lens is versatile enough to handle it all. Some may suggest ditching it due to its average quality, but until you’ve developed the skills to fully understand the nuances of lens performance, your kit lens will serve you just fine. Focus on improving your technique first; the need for more specialised gear will come naturally as you progress. Just as important, take the time to get comfortable with your camera’s settings, so adjusting them becomes second nature.
Here are a few photos I took with the kit lens when I bought the camera:
4. Must-Have Accessories for Beginner Photographers
While you don’t need every photography accessory out there, a few key items will help improve your experience as a beginner. Here’s what I believe you should invest a bit of money and buy quality items:
A Good Camera Strap: Comfort and security are key when choosing a camera strap. You'll want something that feels comfortable during long shoots and gives you peace of mind that your camera is safe. One strap I can highly recommend is from PeakDesign (no affiliation)—it combines durability with ease of use, making it a solid choice for any photographer.
A Memory Card (or two): Make sure it has plenty of storage space and is fast enough for your camera.
Basic Tripod: A lightweight, affordable - but not super cheap - tripod is essential for landscape or low-light photography, especially when you need long exposures. Once you start practicing such styles or techniques, a tripod will be a must have. Here you should be careful. Don’t buy super cheap tripods as they will not offer you a great experience. Buy something in the middle that will give you more confidence and won’t create trouble during your photo sessions.
Extra Battery: There's nothing worse than running out of power mid-shoot, or realizing the next morning that you forgot to charge your battery, only to face hours of waiting before you can head out. This can easily drain your motivation. Having an extra battery on hand is a simple yet crucial solution—it keeps you prepared and ready to shoot whenever inspiration strikes.
5. Software for Editing Your Photos
Once you’ve taken your shots, you’ll need software to edit them. Even though there are free alternative, here I advise to buy a subscription of Adobe Lightroom Classic. This is a widely used software from beginners to professionals to edit photos with a large amount of tutorials on the internet. While it might feel overwhelming at first, you can start with the basics and build your skills over time like I am doing.
Conclusion: Keep It Simple and Focus on Learning
When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype of buying new gear. But the truth is, the most important thing is to learn how to use the equipment you already have or the entry level one that you bought. Focus on improving your photography skills, understanding how to work with light and composition, and learning basic editing techniques.
