Every photographer needs a camera. Otherwise, how can you capture the moments and subjects you see? Anyway, I decided to write this article about my photography gear and when I use which pieces.
I have separated the lists, as I use different cameras and lenses depending on the type of photography I do.
Using the table of contents, you can easily browse to the specific niche you find interesting.
Table of contents
Why your photography gear matters
Let’s discuss the importance of gear first. Because often you hear the phrase “gear doesn’t matter”, more on that later. But in a way, gear does matter.
Without a camera, no photo. So your gear has to be somewhat decent. A good camera allows you to capture the right moment exactly how you want it.
A good lens helps you capture a proper, sharp image to show.
Of course, for studios, a good flash provides you with consistent exposures and colors.
Why your photography gear doesn’t matter
Of course, your gear isn’t the most important either. Having a good camera is essential, but there’s no need to upgrade to a newer model every time a new one comes out. It’s best to get to know your camera inside out.
A good photo is a good photo regardless of the camera that made it.
What gear do I use for my street photography?
For my street photography, I prefer to have a small setup. Nothing too much and too big. That’s why I use my Nikon Z7 II, as it’s the most compact camera I have. I also like the 28mm for its wide angle and compact size.
List of street photography gear
- A Nikon Z7II
- Nikon 28mm f2.8 lens
- Sometimes a Tamron 35mm f/1.8 lens
- Batteries and Sandisk memory cards
- As a bag, I just use my North Face Borealis backpack
What gear do I use for my corporate event photography?
For my event photography, I have a bigger setup. I use two cameras with two different lenses, so I don’t have to switch those around during events. On my primary camera, a Nikon Z8, I have a 24-70mm lens for my all-around shots. On the secondary camera, a Nikon Z7II, I have a 70-200mm lens for my close-ups.
List of corporate event photography gear
- A Nikon Z8 as the primary camera
- A Nikon Z7II as a secondary camera
- Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 lens on the primary
- Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 on the secondary
- Nikon 85mm f1.8 lens as secondary backup
- Tamron 35mm f/1.8 lens as primary backup
- Two Godox V1 flashes
- Plenty of batteries and Sandisk Memory Cards
- Think tank commuter backpack
What gear do I use for my corporate portrait photography?
For portraits, especially headshots, I don’t need as many lenses and cameras. I primarily use my Nikon Z8 with an 85mm f/1.8 lens for headshots, and occasionally the 24-70mm lens for portraits in a setting.
Often, I also use a flash for extra light or as the only light source. I’m a big fan of umbrellas, as I’m always on the move, and they’re more lightweight and compact than softboxes.
For the headshots, I also bring a laptop and a tethering cable to show the people their results instantly.
List of Corporate portrait photography gear
- A Nikon Z8 as primary
- Nikon 85mm f1.8 lens
- Godox AD600pro witstro (3x)
- Various umbrella’s
- A few softboxes
- A beauty dish
- Tethertools cable
- MacBook Pro laptop
Photography and other software I use
Ofcourse, there’s also software that you need as a photographer. Some you use more than others, but it’s always handy to have them.
- Lightroom is my main photo editing, selection, and cataloging all my photos
- Photoshop for little retouches on portraits and branding work. Mostly for removing distracting background elements.
- Evoto for additional retouches on portraits. Things like wrinkles, shine, glare on glasses, …
- Adobe Express for social media visuals, so they all have a white border and are in 4:5 format.
- Picflow for my photo delivery. This way, I can control who sees the work and what images they like the most.
- Acast for podcast distribution to all platforms.
- Riverside for podcast recording, editing, and captioning
Do you also use any gear? Let me know your findings and tips in the comments below!
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