What’s in my bag?? *Colorado Springs Wedding Photographer

If you want to go to a wedding or out in a public place and get random people to talk to you…carry a big camera!  I kid you not, I don’t think I can go anywhere without being asked what kind of camera I use, etc.  Of course people will proceed to give you their opinion of whether or not they think Nikon or Canon is the best.  Nevertheless, it is a great way to strike up conversation and get to know people.  But more than anything I think that more and more people are purchasing consumer level dslr’s and thinking hmm perhaps I will start a photography business(I will have another post regarding this topic soon.)  I am here to tell you that after almost one year in business it isn’t easy.  I have spent countless hours researching and studying “my art”. Knowing the innermost workings of your camera is invaluable.

In addition to growing as a photographer from the technical side I have invested a lot of money (thank goodness I am single) into buying top of the line professional equipment.  This equipment allows me to be more creative and help my visions come to life.  The new addition to my family, the Nikon d700 will be invaluable to me as wedding photographer.  This camera allows me too shoot and still get quality images in low light situations.  With all of that being said for those of you who have been wondering here is what is in my bag……

Nikon d700 camera body

Nikon d200 camera body

Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens (fav)

Nikon 70-200 2.8 lens (the paparazzi lens)

Nikon 24mm 2.8 lens

Nikon 85mm 1.8

Macro lens (used only for ring shots)

I have a couple other lenses that I use for landscape photography, etc they are NOT portrait lenses so I didn’t mention them here.

Nikon sb900 speedlight (amazing flash)

Lots of pro quality SD cards (I usually carry about 30 gigs worth of cards at a wedding)

Nikon batteries and other rechargable flash batteries (environmentally friendly)

All of this and more are carried in my amazing shootsac by Jessica Claire.  My grandmother helped me customize a couple covers for it so that I can be matching my outfits at weddings.I love my grandma.

Also on the way a traveling suitcase for my destination weddings and photoshoots.  Gotta keep that gear protected. Speaking of…I do have a funny story that relates to this.  One of the first times I carried my equipment on the plane I had it packed and relatively cushioned in my carry-on. I thought hey it will be safe I am carrying it and have control of it the whole time…wrong…we got on one of those little prop planes where you have to “gate check” your luggage.  Since I have done this about 1,000 times I gate checked my suitcase and proceeded onto the plane with my pink ticket.  Sitting on the tarmac I realized that my gear was in my suitcase that I just freely handed some guy only to be thrown on a cart and under a plane….awesome.  I can tell  you right now that will never happen again! Lesson learned.  My gear was fine, but I on the other hand suffered a small heartattack.

Every post has to have a picture.  This gem was taken by Monica at our photographer photo shoot.  I was going for a super shallow depth of field….haha…just kidding!  Actually I had just been attacked by a killer pokey bush and leaned down to get it off of me. I stood up and lifted my camera to begin shooting only to quickly realize that my strap was in front of my…very expensive lens. And that is how it is done folks!  Before I was able to return it to it’s proper position Monica wanted to get this shot.