Table of Contents:
- Camera: Sony a7 IV
- Lenses: Sony GM 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm
- Fujifilm Instax Mini EVO Hybrid
- Fujifilm Instax Mini Film Sheets
- Fujifilm X100V
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone
- Rose Anvil Dual Harness
- SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO Memory Cards
- Think Tank Memory Card Case
- Sony NPFZ100 Z-Series Rechargeable Batteries
- Neewer Dual USB Battery Charger
- Battery bag
- KUVRD Lens Caps
- Wandrd PRVKE Backpack
- Bellroy Ventura Camera Sling 10L
- Brevite Jumper Backpack
- Garmin inReach Explorer+ Handheld Satellite
- Garmin inReach Charger
- Travel First Aid kit
- Kiorafoto Camera Lens Rain Cover
- Quick dry towels
- JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth Speaker
- Fractal filters
- Vortex Optics Lens Cleaning Pen
- BESTEK Car Charger
- Clear umbrellas
- Hand warmers
Y’all are ALWAYS asking me what I take with me to all of my shoots. . .so I finally put together a comprehensive list of what’s in my camera bag! I’ve compiled everythinggg that I carry around no matter what type of shoot I’m going to (a wedding, elopement, couples shoot, senior shoot, etc.), from lenses to the Polaroid I use to my fave harness & more. Keep in mind that this specific setup is ideal for my style of shooting, and for what has worked best for me over time. I hope this helps you and your photography journey too!
Camera Gear
Let’s start off with the camera gear I use. If you’ve followed my business over the years, then you probably know I used to be a Canon girl all the way and only switched to Sony in the past few years! I’ve got a whole story highlight on IG detailing my journey from Canyon to Sony if you’re interested in finding out more about why & how I made the switch.
Camera: Sony a7 IV
My Sony a7 IV’s are my babies, they’re some of the best full-frame cameras that Sony has to offer! They’re compatible with tons of different Sony lenses, the focusing system is amazing, and the system is super smooth. I can’t recommend these cameras enough!
Lenses:
Sony GM 24mm F1.4
Sony GM 35mm F1.4
Sony GM 50mm F1.2
Sony GM 85mm F1.4
Next up are my lenses! I’m always switching it up between my Sony GM 24mm 1.4, 35mm 1.4, 50mm 1.2, and my 85mm 1.4. They’re all part of the freaking amazing Sony G Master lens series, which are Sony’s crazy high-res lenses that make everything look so beautiful. I don’t think I really have a favorite – they all serve different purposes on elopement days. This set of 4 provides a great variety so I can really get photos from every distance I would need during a shoot!
Extra Camera Gear
Moving onto some camera gear that isn’t part of my main gear set, but that I usually bring along to shoots for extra photos/footage!
Fujifilm Instax Mini EVO Hybrid
I looove my Fujifilm Instax EVO and post about it all the time – y’all know I take this thing with me to every single shoot. I made a cute reel on IG a while back showing examples of how I use my Polaroid on wedding days to give my couples a sweet, tangible, extra touch before I leave!
Fujifilm Instax Mini Film Sheets
These are the film sheets you’ll want to buy to go along with the Instax Mini EVO. I definitely recommend having a couple extra boxes on hand in case you run out right before a shoot and don’t have time to order more.
Fujifilm X100V
For fun pics on trips and in my daily life, I use the Fujifilm X100V digital camera. It’s an awesome, smaller (and lighter) camera that makes capturing everyday moments super easy, and takes higher-quality pics than my iPhone can!
DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone
Finally, y’all know I freaking love drone shots, and for mine I use the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. This thing gets the most epic shots for my clients every single time!
Camera Accessories
Let’s talk about all my fav accessories I use during shoots or that I always keep with me! A couple of these are Sony-specific, but most of them will work no matter what camera you shoot on.
Rose Anvil Dual Harness
First off has to be the Rose Anvil Dual Harness, an incredible harness made of the best, most durable leather, that fits my body like a glove! It helps so much with reducing back pain while I’m shooting and is sooo sturdy. I know so many photogs who love his harness and will never use anything else.
SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO Memory Cards
For memory cards, I use the SanDisk Extreme Pro series and love them! They’re so dang fast in my camera + when I’m importing photos onto my computer and the 64GB cards are perfect for my dual card slots.
Think Tank Memory Card Case
Our memory cards are what keep our client photos safe until we put them onto our computers, so it’s super important to have a safe way to store your cards – both while you’re out shooting, and working at home. I use this Think Tank Memory Card case. If you don’t like this one, there are tons more out there on Amazon that can hold a ton of memory cards at once! Make sure to have a secure organizing & labeling system in place so that you never shoot over a card that already has photos on it, and that you don’t lose or format any cards with client galleries on them.
Sony NPFZ100 Z-Series Rechargeable Batteries
These are the batteries I use for my Sony a7 IV’s, and I use this dual battery charger to charge multiple batteries at once!
Battery bag
Inside of my camera bag I store my batteries in a smaller bag, one I got off of Etsy a while ago – but this Bellroy Desk Caddy is similar and would be great for keeping batteries & other small items organized in your larger camera bag.
KUVRD Lens Caps
If you want to protect your expensive lenses as much as possible, or you’re like me and ALWAYS lose your lens caps, I highly recommend getting KUVRD lens caps instead of the ones that come with your lenses! These are stretchy, sturdy rubber lens caps that are universal, meaning they fit 99% of camera lenses. So if you lose the lens cap for your 50mm lens, instead of having to buy another one specifically for that lens, you can just grab one of your KUVRD lenses and it’ll fit perfectly! Because they’re rubber and protect way more surface area, you’re less likely to damage your lens if you knock it into something or get water, mud, or dust on it. These caps will also never come off on their own like plastic lens caps sometimes do.
Bags + Backpacks
I know we’re all obsessed with finding the perfect camera bag, and let me tell you – I’ve gone through so many over the years. Here are the three bags I use now and love!
Wandrd PRVKE Backpack
The Wandrd PRVKE backpack is an epic bag that so many photographers use now. It has a ton of padding to make it more comfortable on your back, more pockets than I can count (including large ones for your cameras/lenses, and small pockets for your phone, keys, & SD cards, and everything in between), and even has a large laptop sleeve. I can’t recommend this bag enough, especially if you’re looking for a great bag to bring with you on hikes & outdoor shoots!
Bellroy Ventura Camera Sling 10L
Along with my main backpack, I use this Bellroy Camera Sling to carry some of my smaller items that I don’t want to get lost in my big bag, like SD cards, keys, my phone, etc. – or just things I want easier access to while I’m shooting. It’s a great place to keep lens caps, a lens cleaning brush, and even your fractals & prisms that you want to pull out for a shot here and there!
Brevite Jumper Backpack
Finally, I love the Brevite Jumper Backpack if you need another large bag to bring with you to shoots/weddings, to store things like tripods, flashes, lighting equipment, etc. It’s super comfy and lightweight and includes multiple compartments, a laptop sleeve, and a quick access pocket that’s great while you’re shooting!
Safety
Now let’s talk about a few important safety-related items I bring with me to my shoots, to keep both me & my couples safe!
Garmin inReach Explorer + Handheld Satellite
If you shoot adventure elopements or sessions, then you know just how often we find ourselves out in the middle of nowhere, often with no phone service! And while I love having some time away from my phone, I definitely need some form of communication or way to stay safe if nobody can reach me in case of an emergency. The Garmin inReach GPS is a super great handheld GPS that allows you track and share your location with family & friends, and you can pair it with your phone. I highly recommend having some sort of GPS if you’re often in places without cell service! And here’s the charger you’ll need to go with it.
Travel First Aid kit
I always have a little travel-sized First Aid kit on me, too, in case me or my couple needs it! The one I have is similar to this one on Amazon, which includes items such as bandaids & bandages, wipes, safety pins, and other important medical supplies. This is important to have on you especially if you’re shooting adventure elopements and doing any sort of physical activity like hiking, biking, or climbing.
Kiorafoto Camera Lens Rain Cover
Even though my Sony cameras can handle weather really well, I still like to keep some sort of rain cover with me to protect my lenses, like this one!
Quick dry towels
Lastly, having some quick dry towels on hand can be really helpful if you’re shooting anywhere near water or mud, in the rain, or in the heat where you might get sweaty. You can also use these to dry off your camera/lenses if they get wet for any reason.
Miscellaneous
And now onto some miscellaneous things I carry with me to every shoot!
JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth Speaker
I ALWAYS play music while I’m shooting to set the vibe + keep my clients comfortable and having a good time, and my fave speaker has to be the JBL Clip 3. It’s super small and lightweight, and I just attach it to one of my bags, my harness, or my belt loops! It’s waterproof and super durable which is great for adventure elopements, and the battery lasts for up to 10 hours. You’d be surprised at just how loud this little speaker can get!
Fractal filters
If you’ve EVER seen me post a photo on IG then you know I looove using fractal filters & prims to get creative while I’m shooting. This is the set that I have and use all the time!
Vortex Optics Lens Cleaning Pen
We all know that photos can be ruined if you get any smudges, dirt, or fingerprints on your precious lenses, so this lens cleaning pen is a must-have for every photographer.
BESTEK Car Charger
I’m always on the go & I spend sooo much time in my car that I have to have a strong car charger! This is great for if I’m working in the car on a roadtrip or if I need to charge something when I’m far away from any sort of power source.
Clear umbrellas
Clear umbrellas like these are a must for any photographer who sometimes (or often) shoots in the rain – they protect your clients AND look much cuter in photos than regular umbrellas!
Hand warmers
Finally, I always have hand warmers on me because if I’m shooting in chilly weather, I don’t want my clients to be freezing – AND it’s hard to work my cameras if my hands are frozen. Definitely always have some of these in your bag so you’re prepared for cold weather!
And that’s it! I hope this list of what I keep in my camera bag gave you some new ideas for how you can best be safe + prepared for every shoot, how you can use fun tools like fractals to get creative, and how you can always be ready to serve your clients with an above + beyond experience. Happy shooting!