Started back in 1996 taking snap shots of my baby.. this lead to taking snap shots for family members.. which lead to weddings and portraits photography for about 5 years..
started with a kodak dc290 had a massive 2mp
this camera broke after about 3 years.. then I moved on to the Olympus 700-UZ
a 2.1 mp but it had 10 x zoom (one of the few back then that had higher then 3x zoom) used this camera to win an award
with this pic for a online contest I entered back in 2000.. won $250 (had no idea there was a prize involved when I entered)
used that money to purchase my 1st DSLR after selling the 700-uz to buy the Rebel 300 DSLR with the 18-55 lens..
Used this to start to shoot weddings and portraits which meant I needed better lenses that lead to an entire setup of photography gear flashes battery packs for the camera and flash.. flash brackets more lenses.. then upgraded to the T3I and then health issues decided it was time to stop.. sold all the gear slowly and kept the T3I+ camera battery grip and one 18-55 lens..
1st camera price was $100.00
I am afraid to add up what I have spent on gear since then...