Does gear make the photographer?

The other day, I was scrolling through the internet as one does. I came across a thread about how another photographer didn’t get to photograph a wedding because of the gear he was using. This is after the couple had already viewed his work and then contacted him.

Personally, I don’t think that gear makes the photographer. “The most important part of the camera is six inches behind it.” - Ansel Adams

Now sure some clients are going to require special equipment to complete the job. These clients know who they are. Usually businesses or advertisers making billboard ads. The humble wedding photographer, not that much. Most of my clients never print anything larger than 16x20. So having all of those megapixels isn’t really needed. Plus as a wedding photographer or any other high volume shooter, storing those files would be a nightmare.

If you like a photographers work, Why does it matter the type of gear we use? My first wedding was photographed with a “point and shoot” camera and I was published twice with a dslr that could be had from your local Walmart for $300. Now I use something a bit different but that is because the gear I was using was holding back my creativity.

What do you think? Does the gear your photographer use bother you? Do they have to have the latest and greatest? leave me a comment and lest start a discussion.