From a hole-in-the-wall camera store in Quebec to a full-time creative business, here is what a decade of capturing memories has taught me.

This week 10 years ago, I was in Ontario attending my brother’s graduation from military college. My mom, sisters, and I did a road trip from the East Coast to the graduation, making many stops along the way—including one stop in Quebec where I had my first real camera-shopping experience.

I was gearing up for photography school that fall and needed to upgrade a few things before starting classes. My mom found a hole-in-the-wall camera store where I could get everything I needed in one trip. I got way more than I actually needed, but honestly, I haven’t really updated anything since because it is still serving me well.

Throughout the rest of the trip, I spent my time learning how to use my gear effectively and taking lots of pictures. One of the lenses I bought was a telephoto lens, which came in handy when we got to the graduation. During the ceremony, the SkyHawks displayed a wonderful collection of parachute exercises, and it was a lot of fun to get up-close shots of the team soaring through the sky.

My Journey So Far

Since 2016, I’ve photographed many families, weddings, events, headshots, animals, and landscapes. I’ve been able to travel across the country with my camera, and even to Nicaragua. The photos I’ve taken have brought tears of happiness to people’s eyes as they see their memories frozen in time.

Photography has started many conversations. It has also shown me that I can do hard things—like starting a business and being vulnerable on the internet. It has helped me stay creative and given me the freedom to express myself in ways words cannot.

So, I wanted to share 10 lessons I’ve learned about photography since then.

10 Lessons from 10 Years Behind the Lens

#1: The best gear doesn’t mean the newest gear.

Whatever gear you’re most comfortable with and are actually going to use is the best gear for you. I didn’t start off my career with the best or newest equipment. Even the stuff I got from the store in Quebec was second-hand—everything except the backpack, which was almost as big as I was at the time!

#2: Taking pictures for fun is the best way to connect with an audience.

The pictures I get complimented on the most are the ones where I was deep in my creative mode and shooting for myself. Not for likes, and not for a paycheque, but just because I love what I do and decided to pick up my camera. Don’t be afraid to do what you love simply because you love it.

#3: If you love what you do, others will love it for you too.

Loving photography was not always an easy road to walk. At the time, it wasn’t exactly the standard career path for someone right out of high school; it was seen more as a side hustle than a full-time gig. Thankfully, I had people around me who saw how much I loved it and wanted to become more skilled. So, off to photography school I went. If you are passionate enough about something, even if those closest to you don’t fully understand it, they will love it for you and want you to chase after it.

#4: Having access to a camera doesn’t make you a photographer.

Being a professional photographer is often a misunderstood job. Because technology has come such a long way, many people believe they can capture the same picture for a fraction of the price. While they can technically take a photo with the same camera and settings, what happens before and after the shutter is released is a huge part of what separates professionals from the rest. Understanding focal points, lighting angles, colour theory, camera settings, layer adjustments, keywording, the “butter gun” theory, and how to handle RAW files are just a few of the steps a photographer takes to ensure the best end result.

#5: Just because someone can take a picture doesn’t mean they should.

To build on lesson number four: just because someone owns a camera doesn’t mean they should be your photographer. Your videographer, social media manager, or admin assistant might be able to take a great photo if the lighting is right and they try a few different angles, but they aren’t professional photographers. They are skilled in other areas and should be given the opportunity to focus on what they do best, instead of trying to force all those skills into one person.

Love the business side of creativity? Join my inner circle. Once a month, I send out real talk about entrepreneurship, photography tips, and exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from the field.

#6: Community is always better than competition.

I cannot say this enough. In a professional industry like photography, there is no room for competition unless you are entering a photo contest. Your clients, your marketing, and how you interact with others in your field should not be approached with gatekeeping or a competitive mindset. When we approach our work this way, no one wins.

#7: Professional photographers are worth it.

This pairs with lesson number eight. Those of us who are professional photographers have gone through hours of training, whether by attending a formal college like I did, or by dedicating years to learning through mentors, online lessons, and daily practice. We didn’t just pick up our cameras one day and start charging high fees for a hobby. Every professional I know spent countless hours learning, growing, and building their skills to get to where they are now. That time and education make them worth their prices. They’ve learned far more than just how to operate a camera; they know how to safely store your photos, edit them, provide creative direction, guide posing, and advise on what to wear. Being a professional is about much more than just taking a pretty photo.

#8: Be sure to look at the work of the photographer you want to hire.

Not every photographer is going to be a good fit for you. Be sure to look at what they shoot, how they shoot it, and how they edit. Each photographer has their own unique style. It’s important that the photographer and client match. If you’re looking for a style that is dark and moody, don’t hire someone whose portfolio is full of bright pastel colours.

#9: Do what you love as much as you can.

When I get out of the habit of picking up my camera for fun, my drive to write blogs, engage in business, and keep learning starts to dwindle. But when I’m actively searching for things to photograph in my everyday life—even if it’s just with my phone—I feel more excited to grow and share what I’m doing.

#10: It’s free to be supportive.

In a world full of AI, automated comments, likes, and endless doom-scrolling, it’s easy to forget that we hold a lot of power in our hands daily. Liking, messaging, and leaving meaningful comments for those in your circle goes a very long way. If you’re going to be on social media anyway, you might as well share some positivity or engage in a discussion you’re passionate about. It costs nothing to like, share, or repost something you enjoy or agree with. There’s also nothing wrong with respectfully adding a new perspective to a conversation.

Growth, Changes, and Looking Forward

Since becoming a photographer, I’ve had so many incredible experiences. Some are more business-related than others. I’ve won awards and medals, travelled, and worked on deeply meaningful projects. I’ve written and rewritten business plans. I’ve torn up pages of notes because my business shifted, and I’ve rewatched videos on things I learned years ago, because having a refresher is always a good idea.

But the biggest thing I’ve learned since starting this journey is that I love to be creative and share the world from a different perspective—and that’s much more fun to do within a community.

Over to You: What Drives Your Passion?

Let’s talk about why we love our respective industries and our work, whether you’re a stay-at-home mom/mompreneur, or working in social media, medicine, technology, aviation, or anything else! I may not understand every industry, but I love to hear you talk about your passion, and I would be honoured to photograph you in your element.

If you’re like me and you love what you do, I’d love to hear about it. What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned along the way? Let me know in the comments below!

Join my inner circle. Once a month, I send out real talk about entrepreneurship, photography tips, and exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from the field.