When I was in high school, my parents bought me a Canon Rebel. I was thrilled. I’ve always loved photography and had a ton of fun taking my own pictures for stories when I was in journalism school. Many years later, lifestyle photography has become a side hustle for me. I wanted to share what’s in my camera bag because I love reading other people’s posts! I use my camera gear for paid shoots, to take my own pictures for brand campaigns, and for family pictures at home. I’ll elaborate on the cameras, lenses, flash, and other accessories I love.
What’s In My Camera Bag
I have an important disclaimer. You do not need all of the gear I’m going to list to take good pictures as a photographer or content creator. I’ve been buying camera equipment for a decade, and it’s something I invest in. I usually sell old gear to fund new purchases, which is how I’ve built up a collection. I also recommend buying refurbished or secondhand if you can find a reputable seller. Last disclaimer: I buy Canon because I’m a creature of habit. I have plenty of friends who love their Sony and Nikon cameras!
Canon EOS R
I sold my Canon 6D II to buy a mirrorless body two years ago, and I haven’t looked back. It focuses easily, and the eye tracking feature has been so useful for me. I also love that it’s easy to carry around and super lightweight. Amazon, $1,599
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L ll
This lens is a creative’s dream. I don’t pull it out for family and couple shoots often because it can distort perspective, but it’s perfect for wide-angle shots. I love bringing it on trips, as evidenced by the picture we took in Manhattan a couple years ago! Amazon, $1,645
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L
I started my photography career with the “nifty fifty,” or Canon 50 1.8. At $125, it’s a fantastic starter lens. Eventually, I decided to invest in the Canon 50 1.4, and I finally took the plunge and bought the 1.2 lens in 2020. I cringed at the price tag, but I haven’t regretted it. The picture above is one of my favorites. Amazon, $1,399
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II
I saved the best for last. This lens rarely leaves my camera — it’s that good. I actually bought this lens secondhand to save a few hundred bucks, which I wholeheartedly recommend. It’s much crisper than its Sigma competitor, and I wish I’d gotten it sooner. Amazon, $1,999
Godox V860II-C
Flash is a new thing for me. I love shooting photos at golden hour, but I want to expand my horizons. This Godox flash came highly recommended, and I love it so far. I got to try it out at my aunt’s 40th birthday, and I love the depth it adds to a picture that would be pitch black without flash. Amazon, $179.95
Favorite Camera Accessories
BM Premium LP-E6NH High Capacity Battery for Canon
A few years ago, I had a battery malfunction while in the middle of a paid photoshoot. Thankfully, it was a friend who was understanding, but I learned my lesson. I always keep one or two fully charged extra batteries with me, just in case something goes wrong. Amazon, $24.99
BAGSMAR DSLR Camera Bag Backpack
I have gone through a lot of camera bags, and this is my favorite. I’m able to fit three lenses, a flash, and my laptop into it, and it’s a great price for the size. It comes in a ton of colors, too. Amazon, $59.99
SanDisk Extreme PRO 128GB SDXC UHS-I Memory Cards
This is the only camera accessory I’d recommend not getting from Amazon. I heard a horror story recently about a photographer who lost all of her images because Amazon shipped her a counterfeit card. I carry an extra card in my camera bag at all times. Best Buy, $39.99
My parting tip is to save for the camera gear you really want, if at all possible. I bought all Sigma lenses to start out, and while they worked fine for me, I ended up selling them to fund Canon lenses. In hindsight, I wish I would’ve just saved up money to buy the ones I was eyeing in the first place. I hope you enjoyed reading about what’s in my camera bag! As always, feel free to ask questions in the comments.