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Overcoming Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS)
Why is your camera bag full, and your wallet empty?!
Aftershoot .
August 20, 2025
Hi Photographer,
Let’s be honest. You didn’t mean to develop GAS. It started with one lens… maybe two. A camera body upgrade for that wedding last year. A flash, just in case. Now your gear shelf is buckling and your bank account is whispering, “Please, stop.”
If you’ve ever told yourself,
“This is the last piece of gear I’ll buy this year.”
… and then bought two more lenses "just to compare," welcome to the club.
You Might Have GAS If…
You own four lenses, but shoot 90% of your work on the 35mm.
Your savings account suspiciously matches the price of a Canon R5.
You've bookmarked a $3,000 lens "for when I land that big photoshoot.
You’ve whispered “just one more” like it's another Love Island episode.
You watch gear review videos as if they were Oscar-nominated short films.
BUT, What Exactly Is This GAS?
It’s called Gear Acquisition Syndrome. And you’re not alone.
It’s the itch that makes you scroll B&H like it’s Instagram.
It’s that weird (not) logical voice saying, “Maybe if I had that 85mm f/1.2, I’d finally shoot like that photographer.”
And it’s surprisingly common. According to a not-so-scientific blend of DPReview comments and every photography forum ever, 1 in 4 photographers will upgrade gear they don’t need, just to avoid the fear of missing out.
But here’s the twist: it’s not just about buying things.
“Any good photographer will make the most of what they have, but they also know enough to decide what they need to get better results.
An inexperienced photographer will assume better equipment will get them better photos, and that’s partially true, but they don’t have the experience to know why.
Gear acquisition syndrome is more about expanding the scope of what you can photograph, rather than the quality of what you can photograph.”
And hey, wanting to grow isn’t the problem. But, mistaking more gear for better photos? That’s where GAS gets you.
Not your gear. Obviously.
They don’t ask if you shot their engagement on the Sony A7 IV or a potato.
They ask, “Did you catch the hug before it ended?”
They care about how your photos feel, not what focal length you used.
🎯 Skill. | 👁️ Vision. | 🤝🏼 Connection. |
That’s the stuff that makes your work unforgettable. Not a new lens hood.
How To Manage GAS
 | Try before you cry (or buy). Thinking of buying that ultra-wide prime for creative street work? Rent it for the weekend. Scratch the itch without torching your rent money. |
 | Budget with honesty. If you know you’ll buy something each year, set the budget early. Planning feels boring, but it saves you from midnight “Add to Cart” regrets. |
 | Remember: skill scales, gear doesn’t. Some of the most jaw-dropping images come from second-hand cameras in the hands of people who really know how to use them. And there are folks with $15K setups who still shoot JPEG on auto. |
 | Audit your images, not your wishlist. Look at your last 10 client galleries. What gear did you actually use? What sits in your bag like a backup dancer waiting for a solo? |
When It Actually Does Make Sense To Upgrade
Only pull the trigger if the gear
Solves a real technical limitation in your work
Helps you take on new kinds of clients or projects
Aligns with your current workflow and shooting habits
And lastly,
You don’t need new gear to take better photos.
You need clarity, confidence, and maybe a friend who’s willing to smack the phone out of your hand when you start googling “vintage Mamiya rangefinder.”
The next time GAS comes knocking, pause. Ask yourself if you’re trying to solve a creative problem with a credit card. Then, consider this: what if you used what you already have to create something incredible?
If this felt a little too familiar, forward it to a fellow photographer. You’re not alone. And maybe, just maybe, you can talk each other out of that lens you’ve both been eyeing since spring.
Stay sharp,
Team Aftershoot