Fins, may I suggest the Scubapro twin jet fins, or Apollo Bio-fins. I really like split fins in open heal then get dive booties for walking around with your feet still protected. DON"T get closed foot/heel fins. Get the stainless Spring straps over just a rubber strap too
Scubapro Twin Jet Max Open Heel Split Fins
I also prefer a black skirted mask, such as the Oceanic Shadow, or the Mares X.
While back inflate wings are nice for BCD's, (I have 3 of them) they do tend to push you face down at the surface, so a very good all around BCD is the Scubapro Glide Plus, which is weight intergrated and has nice features. I'm also a BIG fan of the Zeagle line of BCD's, and own a Ranger, Stilleto, and Escape.
A VERY good website to soak in all the info is:
ScubaBoard - Scuba Forums, Articles, Dive Buddies, Social Network - Equipment and Travel
Before you get into photography, get your buoyancy skills down, and it'll shock you what a DSLR housing will cost you, starting at $1500. I shoot with an Olympus SP-350 point-n-shoot in an Ikelite housing and DS-125 strobe.
Yes a dive lite is a great first investment in toys. The UK HID light canon is awesome, (I own 2 but they're not cheap) as is the Princeton Tec Shockwave triple LED.
Princeton Tec, 2008 Shockwave LED
Buying yellow gear in flashlights or fins, helps if you drop or lose something as that yellow color is the most visable at depth. Most people buy all black stuff, but when you drop a black flashlite if it's not turned on most likely you've just lost it...........been there done that.