I created this post as a resource for any bloggers or freelance photographers who are looking to add to their own camera bags. I know it helped so much when I found resources like this. I still have a couple lenses on my wishlist but I feel really confident with the equipment I have and have been using.

Camera & Editing

Canon 5D Mark iii

I’m obsessed with this camera. This is my first full-frame DSLR camera after upgrading from an entry level Nikon. The quality is so strong and it creates such a crisp, clear, rich, bright images (with the right lenses). I will admit it was a bit of a learning curve going from the first camera I owned to this one. I actually really dove into the user manual and watched a bunch of youtube videos to get familiar with using it. However, the best way to get better is just to practice all the time. I can’t say enough great things about this camera and I think I might be team Canon forever.

Good First Camera: Canon Rebel T6

I don’t have a ton of familiarity with this camera, but it’s the canon equivalent of the one I started out with. I think it’s great place to start and learn how to use a camera on manual mode without too many bells and whistles you don’t need. I would recommend just getting the body and not the kit lens that can sometimes come with it and then getting a 50mm lens seperately. It wasn’t until I got a 50mm prime lens that I loved learning how to really use a camera.

Camera Bag

I like this bag a lot, I will say it’s a bit big. If you don’t have a ton of lenses or stuff and don’t love big bags I’d go one size down. I do end up filling it up a lot because I have a couple lenses and notebooks and my computer. It’s really durable and good quality. I think if I were to do it again I might buy the backpack that this brand makes.

Lightroom

Lightroom is a game changer for editing. It’s the best program and the standard in photography. Again, I watched a lot of youtube videos, asked for help from fellow photographers and just did a lot of practice. Lightroom is also great because you can buy and create presets that will help you define your look and save a ton of time editing. Creative Market is a great place to look for good lightroom presets.

Lenses:

Canon 50 mm f1.4

This is my powerhouse go-to lens. I love it. Definitely, go for the f 1.4 over the 1.8. It’s only $150 more and totally worth it. 50mm is about the focal length and scale that your eyes are so it’s perfect for portraits, content photography, every day.

Canon 85 mm f1.8

I love this lens for closer portraits and people especially. It’s bright and crisp and creates a really beautiful bokeh. It’s not great for anything inside because it’s close up, but when you have the space it’s amazing for people.

Canon 24-105 mm f3.5-5.6

This is my first wide zoom lens. I love using it outdoors when I’m trying to capture a lot in one image. It’s also been great for interiors that are either well lit or when I bring my flash. The downside is that it only goes down to an aperture of 3.5 so it’s not amazing in low light. But outdoors in the daytime? Super versatile.

Lenses On my wishlist:

Sigma 35 mm f1.4

I’ve heard great things about this lens and I love that it’s slightly wide but not too wide. The images I’ve seen are really crisp and it’s pretty affordable. This would be a great lens to have when I’m doing group shots inside and even portraits.

Accessories:

Tripod

I don’t use my tripod a ton but when I do it really does come in handy. If you’re doing any kind of video you definitely need a tripod to keep things steady. When I’m at home and I’m trying to do self-timer photos of myself I always use the tripod.

SD Cards

Always bring extra memory! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve accidentally let a card fill up and had to delete on the go. It’s the worst. Now I always try to have a backup.

Flash

This is a really affordable flash without a ton of bells and whistles. If you’re not doing a ton of work needing a flash this is a great one to have just in case. I use it if I’m shooting events at night or in poorly lit areas. When you do use it, try to bounce the light off the wall or ceiling versus pointing it directly at the subject. It helps diffuse the light a little better.

Lens Wipe

Pretty self-explanatory on this one. Super handy to have especially if you’re outside a lot and the elements are hitting your lens.

Remote Shutter

This is awesome for self-portraits and group photos. It’s affordable and a fun tool to have when you know you’ll need photos of yourself and don’t have a photographer friend or Instagram husband nearby.

Happy Shooting!

If this was helpful feel free to share it <3

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