My New Lens

My love of photography has turned into something that is now driving me crazy, I am not sure if its me being a perfectionist or me just being Ann! I have been to the local camera store and online shopping for a new lens for about a month now. My thinking was if I upgraded my lens, then I would become the photographer I wanted to be!!
I am taking more photos for people and they seem happy with them, but I am not! I am not getting the look I want, why not?? I was convinced a new lens would change this, I have the factory lens, and all the photographers have these great big lenses on their cameras. So I take my photos to the camera store, I tell them what I want to achieve and that I would like to upgrade my lens so I can be this awesome photographer. " See here all these great photos, I want to do this!! " Only to find out, yes, a new lens will help some, but mainly its all about the camera settings, the lighting and the person taking the photos , etc, etc. The advice given to me, was to stop looking at other peoples work and wondering why I am not achieving the look, and explore on my own camera, and not to be afraid to use the Manual Mode, aww yes the dreaded Manual Mode!! I am in Aperture and Shutter Priority now, but all the way Manual, yikes!!
I am frightened, scared, what if while I am messing with the camera, I miss the shot!! I did purchase a Portrait lens and a book on lighting. Stay tuned to see my adventures in the Manual Mode!