What's up guys? Me ? Great! I know you've seen the title and no I didn't get a new camera . I haven't broken my new year's resolution but I have thought about it. LOL Next year might be an expensive year! But a new member of our club was getting a new camera and I thought about what things would I do if (and when) I get a new camera. So that is what this blog is about. Now getting a new camera is a big deal . They are expensive and a big investment and to us camera geeks it's personal also. We all love our cameras and this chunk of metal is almost like family . So just like family we should protect it and take care of it. So lets get to it what to do right after getting your new camera.

Protect it. Protecting your expensive investment is key to a happy and enjoyable relationship with your camera . One of the first things I do is get a screen protector for the LCD display. Just like your phone a screen protector really gives you ease of mind when handling your camera. I purchase used gear and I do the same thing no matter if it's new or used. I once bought a used camera from a friend and got a great deal on it but it had a big scratch on the LCD and if they had protected it that wouldn't have been there and they probably could have got more money for it than what they charged me. I am a big body cap guy if I don't have a lens on it to protect the sensor. After you get your camera I would also make sure that you add it to your insurance policy to make sure that it is insured incase of an accident. I've had to use my insurance twice with broken lenses and it saved me lots of money. You can usually add this to a home owners insurance policy if you own a house or some sort of insurance like the one with PPA (professional photographers association)  A must have for your expensive purchase.

Use it. Things that I do when I first get a camera is to get it set up to me.  With all of the menus and items that you can change this becomes daunting. I usually find a YouTube video on setting up my particular camera and they go through all of the settings of your camera. I like back button focus so I always make sure that is setup. I also get my camera set up with a strap of some sort. I'm a big peak design guy so all I have to do is put some of those buttons that they use to connect the strap on my camera. Then I can put a neck strap or a wrist strap very easily. I also get extra batteries . At least one so I can change out if I have too. I also get an external battery charger. All of these items if they don't  come with your camera you can get off of Amazon. Then it's just practice, Practice ,practice . If you have just bought the same brand of camera the setting knobs and levers  are probably in the same spot but if not practice changing setting so you can do it without looking. Nothing is more frustrating than fumbling with settings trying to get a shot.

Getting a new camera is great! But it can be an overwhelming task to learn it with all of the technical things that new camera's do. I would suggest watching some youtube videos or some sort of tutorial that you can watch over and over again until you understand how it works and what settings will work best for you. I'm sure some folks have other things that they do when they get a new camera please share. Until next week . Get out and Shoot!

Hey if you want to check out my photography go to my instagram account Max Stansell Photography there are over 2000 posts there. Here is the link

 Max Stansell Photography Instagram Link