Photographer's Camera Bag Items
What’s in a photographer’s camera bag?
Do you ever wonder what your photographer brings with them to a shoot to make all of that magic happen? I’m going to give you a little peek into my bag and explain what’s in there and why. I’m very specific about which equipment I use, especially my camera bag itself! I use a House of Flynn backpack, which I discovered about a year ago, and I have been very impressed by how much gear this bag can hold. Its capacity is phenomenal! So now I will tell you all about what I store in this wonderful camera bag and what I use it for:
- Two camera bodies. 1 Canon 5D mark 4 and 1 Canon 6D, which I use as my backup camera for portrait sessions and I will use both on a wedding day.
- At least 3 camera batteries, charged and ready, as well as a battery charger for any last minute charging. You might notice a theme of having back up gear… just in case.
- Lots and lots of memory cards for my camera, and a protective case for the cards. Even for multiple sessions per day, having multiple cards and a safe placed to store full ones helps keep photos organized right from the start. Fun fact – after a session I keep the case of full cards out of my camera bag and with me so I keep those photos safe in case of theft of my camera gear.
- My 3 go-to lenses are always in my bag as well. My trusty 85 mm and 24-70 mm for portraits and groups, and a 100 mm lens for photographing the finer details.
- Lens cleaning cloth to make sure each lens is clean before the session, as well as for when little fingers get curious about the camera. - A flash and flash batteries for as needed lighting on the go.
- A bag of goodies! I carry a little something for the kiddos, because I am not above bribery (after checking in with Mom or Dad, of course). Dum Dum suckers are popular, and I make sure to bring light colored ones, because those fun bright colors can stain. Stickers also come in handy for little ones with food allergies, and are a non messy reward for good smiles.
- A snack or two for me, because no one wants a hungry photographer!
- A lens buddy. This stretchy, cute little monkey/bear character sits on the front of the lens, and is also for the kiddos, helping them keep their eyes on my camera. - Pocket notebook, in case I need to remember little details for later.
- An essentials odds and ends kit – things like a rubber band, bobby pins, travel hairspray, lint roller, and other items to help my clients look their best for their photos.
- Rain protector for my camera – living in the PNW this may be the most essential thing of all! We shoot rain or shine, and I’m always ready for rain at a moment’s notice.
So there you have it - all of the gear I need to keep my sessions running smoothly and everyone looking great! Because every photographer shoots slightly differently I also thought it would be fun to compare what else some of my peers have in their bags. Check out the personal touches and favorite items that each photographer uses to make those unique styles pop, and varies from place to place:
#1. Shawn Gallego from Shawn Gallego Photography in Denver, Colorado
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/ShawnGallegoPhotography/
Here is what her items are:
- Duct tape
- Safety pins
- Wet wipes
- Dog squeakers
- Energy bars to keep me going all day long.
#2. Jill Stirling from J Stirling photography in Davis, Illinois
https://www.jstirlingphotography.com
Here are some of her tips, tricks, and gear:
- Hand sanitizer
- Memory cards
- Grey cards
- Reflector
- Multiple lenses
- Batteries, both camera and AAAs and AAs and charger
- Speed lights
- Magmod
- Alan wrench
- Clamps
- Notebook
- Wipes
- Baby shusher
#3. Mindy Kerr in Saint Augustine, Florida from Peek A Boudoir has some great ideas to add:
https://www.facebook.com/PeekABoudoirPhotos/
- 2 bodies
- Lens depends what I'm shooting
- Reflector
- Umbrella
- Sunscreen, Bug spray wipes, and Rain poncho
- Clips, tide stick, Band-Aids, nail clipper, glitter, hairpins, motrin
- Cleaning kit
- Licenses
- Extra battery, memory cards, gels, flash, modifier
- Business cards, gray card, wrappy wire thingy
I only know all this because I just changed bags!
#4. Amy Kristin from Amy Kristin Photography in Southern, Rhode Island says:
- I carry 2 bodies, 2 lenses.
- Studio or outdoors depends on lenses.
- Expo disc and/or coffee filters for white balance
- 2 extra memory cards
- Bug spray if outside
- Always scissors!
- Oh, and always bubbles.
Amy, From Amy Kristin Photography created this adorable image using the bubbles that she carries.
#5. Dana Zarzycki over at Dana Rose Photography in the Grosse Pointe Michigan area
https://www.danarosephotography.com/:
- Has two bodies
- Two lenses
- White balance aides
- Add ins for what I am shooting:
- Newborns: hand sanitizer, white noise, pacifier, and if outdoors extra wool layers to ensure the baby does not get cold.
- Toddlers/kids: an apple (no mess snack, takes time to eat and cute in images), bubbles, rocks, pinecones, blocks and a wooden toy with wheels or a book.
- Maternity: small bunch of flowers and a big chip clip to make a flowing dress tight so I can get a good bump shot. And bug spray! I am also exploring a line of natural sprays safe for newborns/infants. I always shoot them in the AM and have yet to have an issue with bugs.
Lots of great ideas here from these photographers! Here are a few more to compare:
#6. Angela Oliver of Angela Kim Photography in Allen, Texas https://www.angelakimphotography.com
What’s in my camera bag for a typical family session:
- Canon 5d Mark IV
- 35mm, 85mm and 70-200
- Extra battery and SD card (not always but I try!)
- Hairspray to tame ladies’ flyaways
- For the kids: fart gun, squeaky toy, sugar free suckers, stickers
Its important to get my families to loosen up since I prefer a lifestyle approach with lots of genuine smiles and less of the look and say cheese at the camera moments.
#7. Robin Mcmurry from Robin McMurray Photography in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
https://robinmcmurryphotography.com
Robin says:
- Nikon D750 and D3200
- 2 speedlights
- Extra batteries
- Extra SD card
- Microfiber cloth
- Pen brush
- Reflector
- 50mm 1.8, 24-120mm f4, and other lenses based on subject
- Handwarmers or bug spray depending on season
- ExpoDisc
- License
- Business cards.
#8. Jodi Kramarczyk from 521 Photography in Lansing, Michigan
Her camera bag holds:
- Canon 6D
- Canon 5D Mark III
- 24-70mm 2.8
- 50mm 1.2
- 85mm 1.2
- 100mm macro
- 135mm 2.0
- 70-200mm 2.8
- Extra batteries and memory cards
- LED string lights, LED video light, 5 speedlights, 3 transmitters
- iPad Pro
- Toiletries
- Business marketing supplies.
#9. Amanda Holt from Vancouver Island in Nanaimo, BC, Canada keeps a special treat in her bag:
https://focuspointworkshops.com
- Mini marshmallows for my littles. I give them near the end so the sugar doesn’t kick in before the session is done.
Amanda has shared this great image of a very handy camera bag.
Well there you have it! While we all may have different styles and photograph in different places, we share some of the same ideas and items to help your photo session be successful and fun.
If you are looking for a photographer in the Edmonds/Seattle and surrounding areas, contact me.
Check out the photographers above if you are in any of these great cities: