Not true any longer---I think it was iOS5 that negated the need to use iTunes or even a computer any longer. iCloud is free (5GB) and expanded easily for a bargain. As well, with Box, Pocket, DropBox, et al...document and photo/video storage 'in the cloud' is simple, cheap (free in most users' cases--as they come with ample initial storage), and no longer necessitates massive 'local' storage.
To the OP--Do It!!! You won't regret it--you're a perfect customer for the iPhone. It's definitely much, MUCH more than a phone, as are the 'higher end' Androids---they're literally 'Pocket Computers'---and when used with different apps, one can tailor fit their phone, apps, and the media to their own lifestyle. I own the iPhone 5--but I also use the Galaxy Note. Both are with me all the time. iPhone is my personal/friend & family phone. The Note is strictly for business. Google also makes Android set up a piece of cake...and if you work in the 'Google' eco-system--Google docs, GMail, Google Drive, et al...it's a perfect companion for you...albeit a 'bit' more complicated than iOS, it has it's advantages.
These days, if you're using primarily Apple products for computing, iPad, Apple TV, etc...the iPhone is a no-brainer
If you're tied into nothing computer-wise, Android is an excellent choice. Some pretty excellent deals between holiday specials on the GSIII, Note (original...as the 'new' Note is now available), or the Nexus...@ around $350 without subsidy, it's set up for monthly or 'pay as you go' type contracts
If it came down to it and I had to choose one or the other, it would be the iPhone. While not perfect, it's highly refined, fast...excellent camera and a really REALLY HUGE selection of apps. While the 'Play store' is growing---it's still bizarre to me that the Top 5 'paid' apps are all tools for tinkering; SwiftKey 3, Titanium Backup root key, Beautiful Widgets, FoxFi key, and Root Explorer--all different 'tools' for tinkering. Wreck it Ralph and Minecraft are the only 'games' in the top 10---Camera Zoom is @ #9...with two more 'tools' to round out the top 10--Nova Launcher and HD Widgets. In the 'App Store' on the iPhone---the top 10 consists of 7 games, 'WhatsApp' (free messaging), a health program and Emoji.
As well, if you're into creative work---iOS takes the cake. Whether you're (as you are) interested in photography, videography (and the post production of capture)---drawing, audio production (Korg has released a lot of their hardware synths in a software package, GarageBand, Nano Studio, Moog Filtatron, dJay *a real, actual DJ'ing program I use often on our iPads...the list goes on), you just can't go wrong marrying in to iOS.
If you like to play with the 'insides' of the software, tinker with your phone, Widgetry, etc---Android may be a better choice
Then, there's post purchase support. Something goes wrong with your Android device (I can only speak of Samsung and HTC), you need help, you're going to have to have patience and stamina to deal with it
If you go Apple...no worries, their customer service is beyond fantastic. I speak from real experience!!! As we own a business, I outfit all of my full time employees with an iPhone. I had a 4s go down, brought it in to the Apple Store (it was 9 months old), replaced on the spot...no questions asked
When my wife's Galaxy Note took a dump after 5 weeks of ownership, AT&T couldn't do the repair (they DID however give us a 'loaner'), it was sent to Samsung for repair. It took the better part of 4 weeks to get back---only to find out is was a Brand New phone. Obviously, her original had a fatal, most likely 'too expensive or time consuming to fix' issue so they replaced it. While I WAS happy she received a new phone (considering the length of ownership)--the extended 'wait time' for a replacement was an absolute JOKE!!!
Good luck---and again, remember---regardless of your decision, these days 'Smart' Phones truly and finally ARE smartphones! With equal or more power than desktop computers we were usin just a couple years ago--incredible graphics, FAST storage in solid state format--'always connected' status, etc-- it seems IMHO that the phone is only a small fraction of what these devices are capable of. Folks that need little more than email, FB, web surfing, music...the computing basics, often find themselves ONLY needing a smart phone for 90% of the tasks we've so long relied on our full blown computers for for the last couple decades! I think you'll be blown away!!
Jer