The Most Impactful Photography Gear I Bought… Wasn’t a Camera

As a photographer, I’m probably a bit unusual. I don’t chase the newest gear, and I don’t spend my evenings comparing specs or watching every camera announcement. The last time I upgraded was during the pandemic, when I switched from Canon to Sony. I picked up two lenses, a few SD cards, an L‑bracket, a spare battery, and an adapter so I could keep using my old Canon glass. That’s been my entire gear list for years.

Even though I shoot thousands of photos annually—mostly urban landscapes and street scenes—I still haven’t pushed my current setup anywhere near its limits. Every image I want to make, I can make with what I already have. Maybe that means I lack imagination, but I’ve never felt held back by my camera. Plenty of new cameras have come out since then, and I’ve watched the reviews, but none of them have tempted me.

Ironically, the one piece of gear that did make a measurable difference wasn’t a camera at all. It was a pair of gloves.

The Weakest Link in My Winter Photography

I love photographing in the snow—quiet streets, soft light, the way a city transforms under fresh snowfall. But shooting in freezing temperatures means dealing with cold hands. I need gloves thin enough to feel the camera controls, but warm enough to keep my fingers functioning.

For years, I used lightweight runners’ gloves. They were thin, flexible, and good enough for operating the camera. But they weren’t water‑resistant. Snow would melt on them, soak through, and my hands would freeze. My shooting sessions were limited by the weakest piece of gear I owned. Every so often, I’d have to duck indoors for 10–15 minutes just to thaw out.

I assumed that was simply the cost of winter photography.

The Gear Upgrade That Actually Changed My Workflow

A few months ago, I stopped by the REI in Soho and picked up a pair of Outdoor Research Sureshot Soft‑Shell Gloves. They’re designed for winter sports—more insulated, wind‑resistant, and water‑resistant than anything I’d used before. And somehow, despite the extra protection, I can still operate my camera with them.

During the recent snowstorms, I stayed outside for hours without needing a warm‑up break. My hands still get cold occasionally, but because the gloves don’t get wet, I can recover by slipping them into my pockets for a few minutes. For the first time, my winter shooting sessions are limited by my creativity, not my circulation.

And honestly? I’m more excited about these gloves than any of the new cameras released this year.