What’s in my gear bag

As the world of Photography and art continues to grow, I am more frequently getting asked by fellow Photographers and Clients, about what camera gear I tote around in my cobalt blue Kelly Moore bag. So I thought todays post would be about what you can typically find on or near me during a session or wedding day! (aside from plenty of snacks HAHA)

 

DIGITAL CAMERAS ON HAND:

• Nikon D800
• Nikon D800 // *D7000 pictured – just haven’t updated the photo yet 😉
• iPhone 5s… JUST KIDDING HAHA!

FILM CAMERAS ON HAND:

• Nikon F100
• Pentax 645n with SMC Pentax-A 75mm f/2.8
• Pentax 645n with SMC Pentax-FA 45mm f/2.8

MY FAVORITE LENSES:

• Sigma 35mm f/1.4
• Nikon 50mm f/1.8
• Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD

OTHERS USED:

• Nikon 85mm f/1.4
• Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8

I occasionally also use my favorite film camera… the dreamy Contax 645 with an 80mm f/2 Zeiss T*

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Extra rechargeable camera batteries and flash batteries (Seriously… more than would ever be necessary)
  Tons of SD and CF Memory cards. You can never have enough of these on hand, and because the D800 creates gigantic files, 32GB cards are my most commonly used.
• Film – Usually Portra 400 or Portra 800 for color, and Ilford Delta 3200 for B&W
• Lens blower, spray, and lens cloths

LIGHTING:

While most of what I shoot during daylight hours is either natural or ambient light, being well prepared is a MUST for wedding days. Here are the things I will always have accessible on a wedding day.

• 3 Speedlights (my favorite is the SB-910)
• Phottix Trigger/Receivers
• 2 Light Stands
• Umbrella
• FlashBender
• Video light

When new Photographers ask what gear to buy next or which is better, I think that the most important thing to know is that great gear DOES NOT make a great Photographer. Developing your creative eye and knowledge of the gear you own will get you much further than just buying the best gear on the market. I know plenty of incredibly talented and successful Photographers that don’t own the latest and greatest of gear, but the work they produce is consistently fresh, creative, and jaw dropping beautiful. So no matter what you have or what you buy, learn how to use it like the back of your hand, and never stop pushing yourself to do or try something different and better than before. Because I truly believe that complacency is the death of creativity.

 

.