There are many times when my couples or portrait clients are pretty tech savvy and they ask me what type of equipment I use. Some may have even dabbled in photography and are eager to hear what tools of the trade help me create the perfect shot.

My first camera was a Nikon and I’ve never looked back since. It wasn’t professional grade or anything, just your basic digital camera and kit lens. A ‘kit lens’ is the lens that comes with the camera when you purchase it. It’s usually lesser quality and not professional grade. However, it’s the perfect lens to start practicing!

I am a diehard Nikon shooter but am able to shoot Canon as well. It’s good to know how to work other camera systems for a couple of reasons. The most common reason is because sometimes I’ll help a fellow photographer out by second shooting for them but they would like me to use their gear… no problem. The other reason is what if my gear was stolen on the way to a wedding? I could borrow someone one else’s and be able to maneuver through the wedding without any problem.

 

Camera bag: ThinkTank Airport Security

Camera bodies: Nikon D800 & D610

Lenses: Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 wide angle (favorite lens), Nikon 24-120mm f/4 (second shooter lens), Nikon 50mm f/1.8 portrait lens, Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom lens, and Tamron 90mm f/4 macro lens (rings shots)

Speedlights: Nikon SB910, Yongnuo YN560III (2) with MagMod grip attached

Triggers: Yongnuo YN560X Remote and RF603II triggers (4)

Memory cards: Lexar professional grade compact flashes and SD cards (ThinkTank secure carrying case)

Light modifiers: Magmod wedding profession kit – gels, grids, modifiers to color, shape and soften the light from my speedlights

Tripod: Manfrotto 190 professional grade tripod

Camera holster: Spider holster (best thing ever!)

Misc:

Speedlight mounts (2)

Batteries (6)

Battery chargers (2)

AA & AAA batteries

Speedlight feet (3)

Light stands

Protector rain cover for cameras (2)

Westcott 26’ shoot-thru umbrella

Flashlight

Scissors

Needle and thread (white and black)

Aspirin, Tylenol and ibuprofen

Bobby pins, safety pins

Water bottle

Snack

At any given wedding or session, you can find me with some variation, or all, of these items listed. I normally bring everything to a wedding and will sometimes even rent more equipment if the day calls for it. My motto is, I’d rather be prepared than save a couple bucks and miss the perfect shot.

Happy Wednesday! – Sarah