Photo Envy

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*This post has been inspired by multiple, recent requests from friends asking me to share my advice on purchasing a camera. (Most of it has been "borrowed" from an e-mail I wrote to one of my besties earlier this morning).

Now, let me first begin by saying that I have ALWAYS loved pictures. No, really. I used to spend hours with my grandma looking at old pictures of family and even people I didn't know. I got my first camera in 4th grade. Yeah, it was disposable, but it was a camera. Oh, and I was that girl in high school/college/today who obnoxiously took/takes pictures of every.single.thing. I like to document memories. Sue me.

However, I have to pick myself up off the floor from laughing hysterically every time someone asks me for camera advice. Between purchasing 5 cameras in the last 5 years, you'd think I'd be an expert. However, I know nothing about lighting, lenses, or exposure time. I just know that I like to document life experiences and God's creation!!!!

So, after breaking my third (or fourth...I seem to have lost track) camera, Mr. Ruby and I were in the market for a camera. We did a ton of research, had many conversations about what we really wanted, and spoke to one of our most awesome professional photographer friends.

What did we finally decide? We did not want a (gasp) DSLR. At first, that's what we set out to buy. Then, I broke down in tears in the middle of Best Buy because I was so confused (not a joke). I went back and forth about 24 times between DSLR's and Point and Shoots. But after our sales guy Fabio (also not a joke) convinced me to think about the pros and cons of purchasing a DSLR vs. the TOP point and shoot out there, I really thought about the reality of what I wanted.

So, the reality? I wanted good pictures. No, amazing pictures. But, I am also a huge advocate for convenience. I take my camera EVERYWHERE! I decided I couldn't really picture 1). lugging a DSLR on every vacation, out to dinner in case a "photo op" occurs, or to every other significant life event and 2). Do I really have the time right now to actually LEARN how to use a DSLR? Of course not. And that's the thing. I have friends who have spent anywhere from $1,500 - $3,000 on a DSLR, but their pictures are the same as mine because they don't really know how to use it.

So... after tears, arguments, changing my mind 24 times, calling our pro photog friend, and Fabio's advice, we decided on a CANON G11. It is the absolute BEST you can get with the quality (almost) of a DSLR but the convenience of a point and shoot. And you can even get additional lenses. We're still learning how to use it, but it's been awesome so far!!!

And, at the rate I'm going, I'm sure I'll be due for another camera in about 1-2 years. So who knows...???