I frequently get asked what are my photography equipment must haves that I keep in my camera bag. And while they may be asking what snacks I have with me (because I usually have snacks with me lol!), most of the time they are asking about my bodies and lenses! Whether I’m shooting a family session, or a wedding, this equipment is what I bring!
Camera Bodies
I shoot Canon. No particular reason why, and no, I’m not against Nikon or Sony. I really think it’s just because I grew up using Canon so the interfaces already made sense to me. Specifically, I shoot with a Canon 5d Mark iii, and a Canon 6d.
Camera Lenses
Let’s start with what I shoot the most with: my Sigma Art 50mm F/1.4. This baby gives you such true to life colors, crisp details, and the dreamiest bokeh! When I’m shooting engagement sessions, family sessions, or other portrait sessions, this lens is my partner in crime! The 50mm length is very close to what your eyes see minus your peripherals so it feels natural and effortless when it comes to framing.
Super similar to the 50mm, I also have a Sigma Art 35mm F/1.4 which allows me to get a little wider of a shot for sprawling landscapes or for larger family groups and smaller wedding parties.
My lens for macro shots, detail photos, or for when I want really great compression and I don’t need to be too close to my subject, I have my Canon 100mm F/2.8 macro lens. This lens gives me that smooth-as-butter background and sharp focus that makes me swoon. This baby is a MUST-HAVE for wedding photographers!
My big girl lens is obviously the Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 telephoto lens. This lens is SO heavy and I’d be lying if I told you I haven’t gotten hand and wrist cramps from the weight of this thing! But it’s perfect for ceremonies, receptions, and other things when you want distance between you and your subject but you also want only them in focus. Incredibly creamy backgrounds and SUCH accurate colors with this lens.
Last but definitely not least, I have the Canon 24-105 F/4.0 zoom lens. This lens is my saving grace when it comes to shooting in tight places or with LARGE wedding parties. It is also my oldest and most-loved lens. It doesn’t provide the greatest separation or compression, but it’s versatility has caused it to land a permanent spot in my camera bag for weddings!
Miscellaneous
I keep other things besides snacks and camera bodies and lenses in my camera bag, too! I also have my battery charging blocks, extra batteries, SD and CF cards, my card carrying cases, phone charger, a water bottle and sometimes my laptop, iPad, and external hard drive.
By now you’re probably thinking “okay but HOW BIG is her camera bag??” And that’s a very valid question because I would be thinking the exact same thing! So, I actually bring my Think Tank International V3.0 traveling suitcase with me to weddings and sessions because it fits EVERYTHING that I’ve listed so far AND it has wheels for easy moving. I have also used it on some of my destination weddings, but I’ll just be straight up and tell you that I had to have other passengers help me hoist it up into the over-head bin. However, I do highly, highly recommend this beast because it keeps everything so secure and tight throughout any traveling!
But it’s fine.
I’m fine.
Everything is fine.
lol!
So, there you have it folks! A run down of most (not all lol) of my photography equipment must haves and my favorite travel bag!
