Why I Sold My Cameras and Now Shoot Only with a Smartphone

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat—this post will probably age like milk. I know myself. I can’t keep my fingers off camera gear for too long, and odds are I’ll end up buying a new toy sooner rather than later. But for now, let me tell you how I got to this point.

I used to be that guy—the one lugging around a shoulder bag full of camera gear that could double as a medieval weapon. Photography and cameras wasn’t just a hobby; it was practically a second job. I’d pore over gear reviews, obsess over aperture settings, and debate sensor sizes like it was a matter of national security.

But here’s the thing: somewhere along the line, I stopped having fun. Photography felt more like a gear checklist than a creative outlet. Then one day, while trying to decide which lens to pack for a weekend trip, I looked at my phone sitting on the table and thought, “Why not just use that?” It felt like cheating. But I did it—and never looked back.

Now, I shoot everything with my iPhone 13 and iPhone 16 (neither of them the Pro models, mind you), and I’ve never been happier—or lighter.

Smartphone Cameras: From Potato Quality to Pocket Wizards

Let’s not kid ourselves. There was a time when smartphone cameras were hot garbage. Blurry shots, weird colors, and enough grain to qualify as a breakfast cereal. But fast forward to today? These things are monsters. Computational photography, AI-based enhancements, auto-HDR—it’s like having a tiny robot photographer in your pocket.

Want to shoot a sunset? Boom—done. Need to grab a work photo and email it before your coffee cools? Easy. Night mode? Magic. Seriously, if someone told me ten years ago that a phone could take long exposure shots handheld, I’d have laughed them into the nearest darkroom.

And let’s talk workflow. With a camera, you shoot, remove the card, plug it into a reader, transfer files, open Lightroom or whatever… you get the idea. With a smartphone? Snap, edit, post—done. It’s like going from dial-up to fiber overnight.

Breaking Up with My Camera Gear (It’s Not You, It’s Me… But Mostly You)

Selling my gear was like breaking up with a long-term partner. Nostalgic, a bit painful, but ultimately necessary. I had some beautiful kit—stuff that could make gear nerds weep. But it was collecting dust. I kept reaching for my phone instead. Why? Because it was there, it was fast, and it just worked.

One weekend, I laid everything out on the table—lenses, bodies, all the accessories—and I just thought, “Why am I still holding on to this?” It felt like keeping a garage full of vintage cars but only driving a bicycle to work.

So I sold it all. Every last piece. And honestly? It felt like shedding a skin. My back certainly appreciated it.

The iPhone 13 and 16: My Everyday Heroes

Now, before you say, “Yeah but you must be using the iPhone 16 Pro Max Ultra++ Titanium Edition,” let me stop you there. Nope. Just the regular models. And they’re fantastic.

Sure, they’re not perfect. They still hiccup in pitch-dark scenes, and I miss having proper optical zoom sometimes. But for 99% of what I shoot—blog content, social media posts, work documentation—they deliver the goods.

And let’s be honest, most of our photos end up on screens anyway. Nobody’s pixel-peeping your Instagram Story. If it looks good, it is good.

Why Smartphones Make Sense for Blogging and Real Life

Blogging isn’t about setting up a studio or chasing the perfect golden hour shot anymore (though hey, if you catch one, go for it). It’s about being ready when something interesting happens. And nothing is more ready than your phone.

Whether I’m at work snapping quick process photos or capturing a cool detail during a walk, my phone is always within reach. I don’t have to plan. I don’t have to think. I just shoot. And when inspiration strikes, I can edit on the spot and publish before the idea fades away.

This kind of freedom has made me more creative, not less. I spend more time composing shots and telling stories—less time fiddling with dials and hauling gear.

Final Thoughts: The Best Camera Is the One That Doesn’t Give You Back Pain

Going all-in on smartphone photography was a personal turning point. It wasn’t about giving up—it was about simplifying and reconnecting with what made photography fun in the first place.

If you’re a pro shooting commercial gigs or wildlife in the Arctic, sure—you need the big guns. But if you’re like me, someone who documents everyday life, shares online, and loves photography without the baggage (literally), then the phone in your pocket is probably all you need.

And who knows? Maybe one day sooner or later I’ll buy another camera. But for now, I’m happy letting my smartphone do the heavy lifting—without actually being heavy.

Besides, isn’t it nice when your gear fits in your jeans pocket and doesn’t require a chiropractor afterwards?