Photographers make bad buddies because they are focused elsewhere, if their buddy is also a photographer then they are both diving solo!
Being a photographer and with much of my early diving in NJ where you can’t see your buddy anyhow I became used to diving solo before there was a cert for it.
If the idea of being solo makes you nervious then you shouldn’t be doing it. There are some beach dives I won’t do solo because current or surf could change and you might need help getting out.
You need to be self reliant, I always have a pony, on deeper dives I add a deco bottle. My liftbag is my backup BC. Carry two line cutters so that if you tangle one arm the other can reach a cutter. Have more than one way to signal your location. Backup lights even on day dives, a light for your sausage.
Something like the advice to early pilots, be prepared to walk home!