Best Camera to Buy in 2022 for the Hobby Photographer

Tips and Tricks from Tallahassee Photographer, Sarah Gray

Best Camera to buy in 2022 | Tallahassee Photographer Sarah Gray

I just got off the phone with a former client who is wanting to gift a camera to her daughter for her college graduation. I know it can be overwhelming to try to purchase something you aren’t familiar with or for someone else who IS familiar with photography. Here, I’ve done the digging and put together my recommendation for the best camera to buy in 2022.

I’m often asked what gear I recommend for someone who is interested in moving beyond their iPhone camera. When most people are ready to make the move to a “big” camera, they are referring to a DSLR which stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex.

No matter what camera you purchase, having an understanding of how to use that camera is absolutely the foundation for any photography. I’ll make some recommendations and offer a discount for education at the end of this post.

My camera recommendations for a hobby photographer and photography lover in 2022

First, I’m a canon shooter. There are other big names for DSLR cameras with Nikon and Sony being the most well known. They make great cameras as well and I’ve used both those brands a little bit, however, I love my Canon and have used a Canon my whole career. Because I’m most familiar with the Canon family and can confidently stand behind it, my recommendations are for Canon cameras.

Most beginner cameras are sold with a basic lens, often called the “kit lens” because it comes as a kit along with the camera body. Buying a kit means that you’re able to start taking photos as soon as you open the box and put a battery and memory card into the camera. These kit lenses aren’t the best quality but are necessary when learning photography because they will zoom a little bit. This allows you to take photos both indoors in smaller rooms, and outdoors.


Best Camera:

  • Canon EOS Rebel SL3 DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) comes with an 18-55mm kit lens. Price is about $749
  • Another great camera would be Canon EOS Rebel T8i . The reviews on this one were great, but it does not include a kit lens. Cost $750

Lens:

If you’re wanting to go beyond the most basic (and you likely will pretty quickly) then I highly recommend adding one additional lens to your camera bag.

Canon EF 50mm F1.8  Price about $125

Accessories:

  • SD Cards. HERE are the ones I recommend. Don’t be foolish and only buy one. You definitely need at least two to start with. $22
  • Adobe Lightroom Editing Software. If you’ve been doing photography on your phone, you may likely already have the mobile version of this app and are paying the $5 per month for the mobile version. The desktop version isn’t much more at $10 per month.
  • Education! I highly recommend this Starter Course.  It’s really the most important piece for any photography you’ll want to do, no matter what camera you decide to purchase. The photographer who teaches this course is great at explaining the basics and will take you really far in your understanding so you can put it into practice and not get frustrated with the tech side of photography. And there is a lot of tech to understand in order to take the photos you’ll want to know how to take. Cost for the course $199

The Breakdown for Best Camera in 2022:

In summary, here’s the cost breakdown of recommendations for the best camera to buy in 2022 to get you started as a hobby photographer for around $1000:

$749 Canon Camera, Rebel SL3 DSLR
$125 Canon lens, EF 50mm f1.8 (EF is the type of mount that fits onto that Rebel camera body)
$44 SD memory cards (2 of them)
$199 Photography Starter Course
$10 p/month Lightroom Editing Software

$1,127 Total

2024 update: this is still a solid set of gear for a new photographer. If you’re shopping for any of this gear used, you can find it for much less and in great shape from keh.com

Interested in working with me to create your own family photos or book me to teach you how to use your new camera and see light in the best way to create the photos you really want to take? Email me through the contact page and let’s talk!

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Maternity • Newborns • Babies • Family
Photographer based in Tallahassee, Florida
Master Baby, Family, and Maternity Photographer awarded by @napcp

When was the last time you looked at an old family photo and thought, `I wish fewer people were in this`?

Probably never.

That is exactly why I always say yes when families ask whether they should include the grandparents, the cousins, the aunt and uncle who are only in town for a few days.

When you are not sure, say yes anyway. We will find a way to make it work.

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 18089342786206860
When was the last time you looked at an old family photo and thought, 'I wish fewer people were in this'? Probably never. That is exactly why I always say yes when families ask whether they should include the grandparents, the cousins, the aunt and uncle who are only in town for a few days. When you are not sure, say yes anyway. We will find a way to make it work.

A few things I want every family to know before a multigenerational session.

Start with the group shot - always. I photograph the full group first, before anything else, so every person in attendance (including the ones who drove the farthest) knows the most important image is already done. From there, we move through smaller groupings with a lighter energy.

Tell me about mobility before we choose a location. If a grandparent or family member has any physical considerations, I need to know before we land on a spot. There is always a way to create beautiful images that honor everyone present - I just need to know what we are working with so I can plan for it.

Mornings are almost always better for the little ones. Babies and toddlers are near-universally happier before the afternoon hits. When multiple generations are present, timing the session well makes a real difference in the energy of the whole group.

And if there are any family dynamics I should be aware of - specific pairings that need extra care, or groupings you would prefer I not suggest - please tell me. It keeps everything moving warmly, and it protects everyone from an awkward moment in front of the camera.

Planning is how multigenerational sessions go well. I am always happy to talk it through before your session date. Contact me through my website, link in bio.

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 18006521186857125
A few things I want every family to know before a multigenerational session. Start with the group shot - always. I photograph the full group first, before anything else, so every person in attendance (including the ones who drove the farthest) knows the most important image is already done. From there, we move through smaller groupings with a lighter energy. Tell me about mobility before we choose a location. If a grandparent or family member has any physical considerations, I need to know before we land on a spot. There is always a way to create beautiful images that honor everyone present - I just need to know what we are working with so I can plan for it. Mornings are almost always better for the little ones. Babies and toddlers are near-universally happier before the afternoon hits. When multiple generations are present, timing the session well makes a real difference in the energy of the whole group. And if there are any family dynamics I should be aware of - specific pairings that need extra care, or groupings you would prefer I not suggest - please tell me. It keeps everything moving warmly, and it protects everyone from an awkward moment in front of the camera. Planning is how multigenerational sessions go well. I am always happy to talk it through before your session date. Contact me through my website, link in bio.

I photographed the same extended family twice.

The first time, it rained. They were troopers about it. We had already scoped out a covered porch at the location just in case the weather had other ideas, and that porch became our backdrop. We made something beautiful out of what could have been a wash.

The second time, they came back with new additions. Beach house on Alligator Point. Grandparents out on the water with the grandchildren. Big group moments and smaller family units. Easy, relaxed, and real.

What I remember most about both sessions is the feeling at the end. A kind of collective exhale. Like everyone knew they had just done something that mattered and would keep mattering long after that day.

That is the thing about showing up even when the conditions are not perfect. The photos do not know it rained.

Read more about Extended family/Multigenerational family photos in this month`s blog post. Link in bio.

5 0
Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 18102132958940426
I photographed the same extended family twice. The first time, it rained. They were troopers about it. We had already scoped out a covered porch at the location just in case the weather had other ideas, and that porch became our backdrop. We made something beautiful out of what could have been a wash. The second time, they came back with new additions. Beach house on Alligator Point. Grandparents out on the water with the grandchildren. Big group moments and smaller family units. Easy, relaxed, and real. What I remember most about both sessions is the feeling at the end. A kind of collective exhale. Like everyone knew they had just done something that mattered and would keep mattering long after that day. That is the thing about showing up even when the conditions are not perfect. The photos do not know it rained. Read more about Extended family/Multigenerational family photos in this month's blog post. Link in bio.

Memberships and Affiliations

Sarah Gray Photography | Professional Photographer of America Member
Sarah Gray Photography | The Motherhood Anthology Member

Sarah Gray creates timeless and joyful images that are designed for living room walls and photo albums. A tallahassee photographer, Sarah Gray also serves Thomasville, Crawfordville, St. Marks, Gainesville and throughout the panhandle of north Florida and south Georgia.

email us | sarah@sarahgray.com

telephone (850) 321-0208

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located in tallahassee, florida