10 things I wish someone had told me before I decided to become a photographer 📸 1️⃣ Gear matters less than you think. I've taken photos I'm proud of with basic equipment and forgettable ones with the best gear (my) money can buy. Vision and consistency matter more than what's in your bag. 2️⃣ You'll shoot hundreds of forgettable photos before you land the ones that matter. That's not failure, that's the process. 3️⃣ Being "ready" is a myth. Nobody feels ready before their first paid shoot, their first big client, or their first new niche. You learn the job by doing the job. 4️⃣ Rejection isn't a sign to quit. It's just part of the process. Every photographer you admire has been told no more times than you'd think. 5️⃣ You don't find your niche, it finds you once you start showing up consistently and saying yes to opportunities. 6️⃣ You don't need experience. Just the guts to reach out. I had zero sports photography experience when I messaged that first team to get accreditation...