"Photography is easy to get into seriously, it's so cheap and accessible," said no one, ever. Taking snapshots for fun has been accessible to many for more than a century. The first mass-market camera, the Kodak #1, was introduced in 1888, and it cost a whopping $25 (about $1,000 in 2023 money), making it accessible only to upper middle class families. Since then, consumer-grade cameras have gotten cheaper to produce, and so many of us have a camera in our back pockets wherever we go. It's easy to take a picture, to edit or "develop" it, and share it instantly with the entire world. But if you're looking to get serious about photography, even if you want to improve the quality of your family photos, it can get pretty pricey pretty quickly.

One of the easiest ways to up the quality of your photos, whether you're shooting with an iPhone or a DSLR (I love the Canon EOS Rebel T7 as a beginner-ish model) is lighting. You can get the fanciest camera and have the most beautiful subject, but if you're lighting is off, you're never gonna get clean, crisp, pro-looking photos. Unfortunately, once you open Pandora's box of photography gear, it's easy to put a strain on your credit cards. Which is why you're here: to get some budget-friendly alternatives to high-cost photo gear. Disclaimer: these are all hacks I've used for years, and even with my professional setup, I carry many of these things in my gear bag.

Parchment Paper + Rubber Band = diffuser for flash Whether you've got that fancy hot shoe flash like me or are using the classic beginner built in, this hack really works. Direct flash light can be harsh, causing over-exposed pictures, and hard for your subjects to look at (we've all seen those squinty-eye pics of family members who can't stand flashes). Using a diffuser can help spread out the light, make it softer, and more bearable for cousin Sammy's sensitive eyes. There are many options out there for flash diffusers, but the most accessible is probably in your kitchen: a square of parchment paper. I keep a couple scraps in my camera bag and a rubber band (tape works too) to sling onto my flash when I'm looking for a bit more even light. You can always take it off again if you're looking for that grungy, 90s-era aesthetic flash look.

Tin Foil + Cardboard = Reflector Light is a dynamic thing: it can be bounced, diffused, direct, reflected. Early on in my photography work I invested in a foldable bounce / reflector set, and honestly I consider it one of the smartest purchases I've made, and have used it in more scenarios than I can count to save a poorly lit photo from certain death. But if you're looking to save some cash and still manipulate light, tin foil is your best friend. Take some tin foil and stretch it over a 2' piece of cardboard and direct a light at it. Depending on the strength of the original light source, you can create some beautiful effects with that very simple bounce.

Work Light as Spot Lights

Boy, do I love a hardware store: there are so many ways to use everyday items to create something spectacular. When I just started gettin serious about photography, I didn't have a single photography light in my possession, but my Dad had some good work lights in the garage. So I pulled out the extension cords and got to work. That was more than ten years ago, and since, stores like Lowe's have only increased the styles, capabilities and prices of lights. Flood lights now come in every color. Some can be operated your phone. They don't all have cages (although if you're looking for some fun shadows, maybe get a caged one), and the possibilities for use truly are endless.

Plastic Bag + Rubber Band = Weatherproofing

Ok, we've moved on from lighting, but still important stuff here, people! Weather happens, often at the most inconvenient times, like in the middle of an outdoor photoshoot. If you know you're going to shoot in the rain or snow or hurricanes, you can invest in a camera raincoat like this one but let's face it, we're not always that great at planning ahead. And like I said, weather happens. An easy, cheap and space-efficient way to keep the water out of your camera is to pack a gallon ZipLock bag and a rubber band (there's a theme here with rubber bands, eh?) in your camera bag. Wrap the mouth of the bag around the camera and attach it over the seam between the body of the camera and the lens and wrap tightly. It's not a perfect system, and you'll likely sacrifice your touch screen capabilities if you have them, but that's when your manual dials and shutter button come in handy.

Thrifted Curtains + Clamps = Cheap Backdrops

There are so many creative ways to use fabric in place of traditional seamless backdrops. Granted, you won't get the same results using fabric - and if you're looking to do closeup or product shots try some dollar store poster board instead - but you can make some cool stuff on a tight budget. Fabric can give you movement, texture, depth and can set a scene with just a few clips. I buy most of my fabric as curtains from the thrift store Savers, but most Goodwill or Salvation Army stores will have some to choose from to.

Things you simply shouldn't scrimp on:

Memory cards: just get the good ones. It's worth the investment to have fast memory cards and many of them. Put one in every pocket. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Extra Batteries: screw the big battery pack - it's heavy and expensive. But do add a few spare batteries when making that first DSLR purchase. You don't want to have to explain to a group of people that your batteries have died and you didn't bring a backup.

Bags/Carrying cases: Trust me, save your back, buy a backpack or a sling camera bag that's convertible. Too many years have I spent lugging gear unevenly and my spine has paid for it in pain. Go to a photo store if you can, try them on, talk to folks who have hauled gear around to see what's going to work the best for you. Or pick up a light camera and lens and only use that.