A $300 camera kit, a wedding, and a magazine feature — that’s how this all started.

I got my first camera as a high school graduation gift. It was a $300 starter kit, nothing fancy. I shot a wedding with it, and that wedding got published in a local magazine. That’s when I realized something I’ve built my entire career around: you absolutely do not need expensive gear to get great results.

I’m Tyler, 27, based in Denver, Colorado. I grew up in suburban Dallas, studied marketing in college, and taught myself photography on the side. At some point I noticed I was spending more time researching camera prices than actually shooting — so I turned that obsession into a job. Now I review budget gear, track down deals, and help people build great kits without emptying their bank accounts.

I never recommend something I haven’t personally tested. I’ve got a spreadsheet comparing every budget lens I’ve ever used, and I check deal sites before breakfast every morning. I once bought five tripods under $50 just to find the best one. My most-shared article was about a $12 accessory that replaced a $200 brand-name product — because that’s exactly the kind of thing I live for.

I once set up a blind test at a photography meetup where nobody could tell which shots came from the $500 camera and which came from the $2,000 one. That kind of result fuels me. I live with two roommates who are also creatives, so our apartment has basically become a gear testing lab. I get genuinely excited every time I find a way to save somebody money on their photography setup.

If you want honest reviews, real-world tests, and the best deals in photography gear, you’re in the right place.

Want to get in touch? Drop me a line at tyler@myphotography.deals.