In another life (and hopefully a future one as well) I was a professional wedding photographer. Don’t get all hung up over the word “professional”, it just means that I took photos in exchange for money. I wasn’t a “just do it for friends and family” type, or a “practice by taking photos of my kid’s friends” type of photographer, I really did get paid well to take wedding photos for some of the most amazing clients I’ve ever met.
I just wanted to preface this post with that, so when you see my list of equipment you don’t freak out. Remember, I did make quite a bit of money and a lot of that money went towards purchasing gear. Add to that the YEARS which I spent learning about light, aperture, shutter speed, and practicing capturing the “moment” and there you have my basis for the fun photos of my kids and the places we visit. Also remember that a great camera does not make a photographer. You can have the fanciest, most expensive camera around and still take really terrible photos. Some of the best photographers I know shoot some pretty awesome pictures with their camera phones (not necessarily for clients though).
Okay, so the list of equipment (all with affiliate links to Amazon – you have been disclosed):
Cameras:
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
Lenses:
EF 35mm f/1.4L USM
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
EF 70-200mm f/2.8 USM (not the version II, the older one)
EF 16-35 f/2.8 USM (wow. there’s a newer version of this one too)
EF 17-40mm f/4 USM
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM (also not the newest version – I’ve had this one since 2008. My first L-series lens. *sniff*)
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Quite the list. HOWEVER, most of them sit in my LowePro X100 tucked away where I don’t even see them. I can’t remember the last time I pulled out my 35mm lens (GREAT for shooting low-lit wedding receptions however). I also have a flash bag with two 580 EXII speedlights, some Pocketwizard triggers, and various light stands, umbrellas and other lighting gear I was SURE I would need. Haven’t really touched those either.
So what do I use most?
95% of the photos taken on my blog and our in our galleries are taken with the 5D Mark II and my 16-35 f/2.8, usually shooting wide open and at 16mm. That’s it. That combo is the one I carry around with me on the Capture Pro attached to our adventure bag. Occasionally I’ll wrap up my 85mm f/1.8 lens in one of these and stash it a pocket of the adventure bag but rarely do I pull it out. If I’m feeling particularly lazy, or we won’t be gone for long, I’ll just grab my Kelly More B-Hobo bag from under the couch (where it is accessible) with my camera and two lenses and sling that over my shoulder. I also have a Black Rapid Strap stashed in there should I need it, but mostly the Capture Pro + the Cuff do just fine.
This set up is definitely not for everyone. The best advice I have if you are looking to purchase an expensive lens is to rent one. A lot of camera stores will rent, or you can find places online that will ship them to you. Two that I have used are LensProtoGo and BorrowLenses. I also wrote a blog post about the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens that is a cheaper alternative to an L-series (expensive, really nice glass). As far as cameras go, I love the Rebel Series. Most Costco’s have the newest one in stock or you can probably find a used one on Craigslist (although be careful about that) or a refurbished one from Adorama or B&H.
For my style of photography this works. My brain just thinks in wide angles. I love the extended and distorted lines it creates, I love the context and feel I get when shooting wide, and I love, love the storytelling. That’s what I’m good it. If I had to define myself as one type of photographer it definitely wouldn’t be portrait. It would be storyteller. Which is perfect for our current adventures.