My Favorite Studio and Photography Gear
I’ve been in the photography world for quite a few years now. Over my time I’ve learned through trial and (at times very interesting) error what gear is a ride-or-die and what is really just a flop. From cameras to seamless paper, I’ve compiled a list of all my faves.
Hardware - Photography Gear
Camera Body
The biggie as far as photography gear is the camera. I own two canon r6’s - they no longer sell this exact model but the Canon r6 mark ii is very close!
MIRRORLESS CAMERAS
Going mirrorless was huge for me!! I never realized the hype until I got one. The autofocus system is amazing and you can really notice the difference. The low light capabilities of mirrorless cameras amazed me. I also love that I no longer have to calibrate lenses on this mirrorless system.. This ensures that my photos are sharp! It’s really nice to not have to worry about that or take the extra time to take care of it.
External Hard Drives
External hard drives for a must for editing. I use the brand Seagate. I used to use the brand WD and had issues with them crashing. The Seagate ones have been amazing, I haven’t had a single issue. I always use a 4 or 5TB hard drive to last me through the year. I always have a backup as well. Having 2 hard drives is SO important. One to work off of and one that is a copy for backups. Technology can fail at any time. Your clients photos are SO important. If something gets corrupted or you spill water on your hard drive, or your house floods, or there is a natural disaster, you don’t want to be unable to deliver what you promised your client. Especially with something that can’t be re-done like a wedding or event. This brand and having a backup is a big peace of mind that I won’t lose anyone’s photos.
Memory Cards
The SanDisk memory cards are the tried and true, a classic piece of photography gear. These memory cards are amazing, I have yet to have an issue with them. They are fast which is crucial for taking photos quickly. It’s always helpful to have a couple of extra memory cards laying around. I have this really great memory card organizer—scroll down for more on that! The hardware accessories section is going to blow your mind.
External Flash
One thing I have worked on in my business this year is adding flash photography to my brand photography work. I found myself putting a lot of pressure on making sure there would be great natural light at all of my shoots. But, you don’t always have that when you are shooting on-site or even during the winter time. I wanted to find a great flash that would fit my style of photography. I wanted to make sure my work still looked like mine. Still looked like natural light and wasn’t “flashy” looking. I had always purchased cheap flashes for wedding receptions when I shot weddings. I had heard great things about the Godox V1. I decided to invest in it and I have been loving it!! I use it for 80% of my studio sessions. The battery life lasts where as my old cheap flashes would go through batteries sooo fast. I will attach a few photos below where I used this flash! I definitely recommend a diffuser as well, scroll down a bit for that link.
Hardware Accessories - Photography Gear
Memory Card Organizer
Organization is everything. This memory card organizer makes it real easy. All the memory cards look exactly the same. Imagine having all these loose memory cards all over, having to plug each one in to figure out what is on it? That is a special kind of torture. Grab one of these things for real.
Hold Fast Dual Camera Body Strap
It may not be pictured here, but it’s definitely photo worthy. Hold Fast has super high quality leather harnesses and straps and they are beautiful and very reliable. The dual camera body strap is great for wearing two camera bodies without ruining your back.
Kamrette Camera Bag
I have had this camera bag for a year now. My husband gifted it to me. It has held up AMAZING! I love that it is a backpack so I can carry it around easily. It holds 2 camera bodies, flash, 2 lenses, and extra accessories. I am obsessed with it. One of my favorite pieces of gear. It’s a lot prettier than the tech-y stuff, too.
Hot Shoe Covers
There are loads of little accessories that aren’t needed. This is not one of them. I recently had a hot shoe break on my camera and that is what made me buy these covers. This will prevent your hot shoe from breaking. Hot shoes are NOT cheap to replace. Save yourself the money and buy these hot shoe covers to protect them.
Flash Diffuser
I love using this dome flash diffuser for my Godox external flash! It’s magnetic and attaches to the top of the flash. It gives you a lot more control over your lighting situation. Don’t be afraid to play with it and really figure out what lighting setup will give you the look you are going for.
Seamless Paper - Photography Gear
Seamless Paper
All of my studio seamless papers are Savage brand. I order from B&H photo for these—they are great but shipping is a big expense. It makes sense since the rolls are long and heavy, but it is an added expense. My favorite colors are the super white, orchid (purple), coral (pink), olive green, and pecan (tan).
Seamless Paper Wall Mount
The seamless paper wall mount I have at The Studio on Sampson is a huge time saver. I had this at my old studio as well and loved it! It really is a great way to save space and not deal with setting up seamless paper stands all the time.
Travel Seamless Paper Stand
A travel seamless paper stand is also a must. It is great for onsite location shoots or setting up other colors that are not attached to the wall in the studio. If you don’t have consistent access to a studio but still want to use seamless paper, this is it!
Studio Favorites - Photography Gear
iPhone Tripod (for BTS Footage)
You can just about always catch me putting my phone tripod to use! I use this thang for all of my reels content! I feel like people love behind the scenes footage and it is always great to have. Especially if it can show what it feels like during a shoot with you. Also for BTS/social media footage, these little wireless mics! People tend to be a little more invested in a reel when you hold a tiny microphone in front of your face. There are tons of ways you can get creative with this too, people make some really funny videos with the little microphones.
Pink Folding Stool
I added this pink folding stool to my collection this year. I love how it can so easily add a pop of color to a shoot. It also folds flat so it doesn’t take up a lot of storage space. And it’s pink? It’s a no brainer.
Folding Desk
This little folding desk is cute and obvi folds up. It is perfect for the studio since it doesn’t take up a lot of space and looks good for the photos! It probably isn’t the desk I would pick to work at for long periods of time, but it is perfect for a shoot. Whether it is in the shot or just set up to set things on, this guy is a fave.
Cute Desk Coasters
These clear desk coasters are super cute and are PERFECT for styling flatlays! They add a bit of depth that wouldn’t have otherwise been there. It’s a nice touch and those little details make a big difference.
Polaroid Camera
I love my Polaroid camera for personal use, but also love to use some film snaps in shoots for flatlays!
Other Favorites - Photography Gear + More
Posing Guides
It’s not exactly gear, but it’s still a fave resource. I made these posing guides as a way to always have a list of prompts or ideas in my back pocket (aka my phone)! You can grab your own and never have to worry about your brain going blank during a session. Posing can sometimes feel awkward or just straight up posed. These prompts feel natural while getting you the good shots.
Photography Podcasts
Sometimes the greatest piece of gear you can have is your mind. I love listening to business focused podcasts, and I even have a blog post with some of my favorite photography podcasts! Definitely worth giving a look and a listen! I will also share new faves on my Instagram stories every once in a while, so come hang out with me there!
Hannah’s Fave Photography Gear
That’s all for my favorite photography gear! Let’s plan you your own brand shoot, it is proooooobably time to stop putting that one off. Check out more info on Central Illinois brand photography!
And come hang out with me on IG for what’s new! See ya there!
