What's In My Camera Bag? // Behind-the-Scenes
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One of the things that I often get asked is what type of gear I use when I’m shooting. I only had one camera and two beginner lenses when I first started. Over the years, I’ve amassed a variety of camera equipment, some of which you will see in this blog post and some that I use for my commercial and branding sessions. I might do a separate blog post at a later date that covers all of that gear, but only if y’all are curious as to what I use for that. So, without further ado…
The Bag
Bagsmart Camera Backpack
I adore this bag. Not only is it adorable - look at it! - it’s durable and holds all of my equipment. The bottom part of the bag is where I hold all of my camera gear. It has movable Velcro dividers and straps to hold all my equipment safely and securely. I can use the top part to hold anything from my phone, wallet, keys, clothes, and hats if I am traveling. There’s space for my tripod and water bottle on the sides of the backpack. A thick-padded compartment on the backside fits up to a 15-inch laptop.
The Camera (s)
Nikon d850
This camera is my most recent gear purchase, and I am completely in love with it. The d850 is the second DSLR I own, and it has been in my possession for half a year now. I had wanted to get this model a long time ago, but I did not have the money for it. After saving up for months, buying this camera was a significant ouch on my wallet, but completely worth it. This camera gives me more creativity and technical control than my d3300.
Nikon d3300
The first piece of actual photography gear I have ever owned, this camera will always have a special place in my heart. It’s also the camera I used to hone my photography skills over the years. It is currently my backup camera, and therefore I don’t use it as much as I used to. However, it is still in excellent condition, so I use this little guy instead when I have less space and need a more miniature camera.
The Lenses
35mm
I use this lens for all types of sessions, and it works wonderfully! Lightweight and compact, it is so easy to carry with me anywhere. The best feature is creating a classic angle of view in my shots. When I focus sharply on my subject, even in low light, the lens creates an excellent blurred background so that the image flows evenly.
50mm
Pretty interchangeable with the 35mm lens, the 50mm is probably the lens I use the most. It has a smaller field of vision but works the same way as the 35mm in terms of subject and background. This lens is my go-to for detail and close-up shots because it quickly hones in on areas that I want to be sharp and clear.
70-200mm
I love using this telephoto lens for wildlife and nature photography. It gathers the maximum amount of light, regardless of which lens focal length you set the lens at. The lens allows me to zoom in on subjects from a substantial distance and still have a precise, beautiful image. It’s the biggest piece of gear I keep in my backpack, but well worth it because it is so versatile.
Other Gear
Memory Cards
One of the most important things that I carry around is memory cards. While I have one inside my camera, I also have a couple extra in this cute little storage pouch from Think Tank Photo. It holds up to 8 memory cards at a time and folds up neatly to slide into my bag.
Cleaning Equipment
I’m probably not as great about cleaning my equipment as I should be (oops), but I always have it on me if I need it. In case it’s a particular windy or dusty day when I’m shooting, I always have my camera care kit. It includes a bottle of cleaning spray, a pump to blow dirt away, a soft brush, and a cleaning cloth to wipe everything down with.
Tripod
My generous aunt gave me my tripod, and I am glad she did. Not only does it work well, but it also saved me from having to buy a costly one when I was growing my business. I use this primarily when shooting nature and wildlife photography as it helps me keep a steady and clean view. Whenever I know I’m going to be somewhere shooting at a location for a while and not moving around too much; I set it up.
And that’s all the gear that I have in my camera bag. I hope this was informative and fun to read through. I’ll see y’all next time around!