Hot take: beginner mistakes that changed my mind [v3]

For context, I am working with a pretty modest budget so high-end suggestions probably will not land. Posting this here because the relevant subreddit has gotten too noisy lately.

I tried three different approaches and none of them felt quite right.

Quick context: I am relatively new to this and trying to find my footing. Posting this here because the relevant subreddit has gotten too noisy lately. Long-time lurker, first-time poster.