All macbooks should be strong enough to run photo apps. Adobe apps are just poorly optimized, I also use capture one and affinity photo and both are significantly faster on my m1 mac than the Adobe apps.

I shoot a Panasonic full frame, weather sealed camera. My partner shoots in a canon m5. We both shoot in the rain and nothings happen to her camera. Weather sealing is nice to have if you constantly shoot in adverse conditions, most cameras survive light rain.

There are some amazing photographers on YouTube that do very well in their business. Many of them are also gear reviewers and sometimes the line is blurred.

It’s a matter of picking who works best for you. I think we all get a little annoyed at the fascination with gear but that’s how they make their money.