What if the best thing that ever happened to your photography… was losing all your gear?

That’s exactly what happened to us. And strangely enough, it might have been the creative breakthrough we didn’t know we needed.

In this episode of the Say Cheese Podcast, I open up about the gear theft that forced us to hit reset—and how it led to a radical simplification of the way we shoot, pack, and run our photography business.

We used to carry everything. Now, we travel light, feel lighter, and shoot better.

📺 Watch on YouTube:

The Gear Obsession We All Fall Into

It’s easy to believe that more gear = better photography. A second camera body, an extra lens, every trending accessory. But what if the pressure to have it all is actually holding you back?

The Turning Point: Theft in Los Angeles

While shooting in LA, everything was stolen. Thousands of dollars in equipment, gone overnight. It was devastating—but also clarifying. What if we rebuilt with intention instead of fear?

Embracing Minimalism

We chose to simplify: one camera body, one lens. That was it. And surprisingly, it didn’t hold us back. It set us free.

• We shot faster
  
• We felt more present
  
• Our images improved
  
• Our stress levels dropped
  

Why Less Really Is More

Here’s what simplifying gave us:

• Freedom while traveling: No more heavy cases or baggage anxiety
  
• Creative consistency: We learned our gear inside and out
  
• A better experience for our couples: Less time adjusting gear, more time making art
  
• Peace of mind: Fewer moving parts, less to manage or break
  

Want to see exactly what we use today?

📷 Here’s our full gear list: View the spreadsheet

Is It Right for You?

This isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you’re a studio shooter or commercial photographer, your gear needs might differ. But if you’re feeling weighed down—creatively or physically—simplifying might be your answer.

Final Takeaway

The clients you serve aren’t booking you for your lens collection. They’re booking you for how you see the world, how you make them feel, and how you capture the moments that matter.

If you’ve been chasing gear hoping it’ll unlock the next level…

Try subtracting instead.

You might find everything you’ve been looking for is already in your hands.

🎧 Listen to the episode