What's in My Bag, Part 1: Families

As a photographer, I am often asked about equipment.  There is SO much out there, it’s hard to know what you really need!  

Every photographer is a different and I by no means claim to have the definitive answer, but I’ve found what works for me and I go with it!  As long as you find the gear that works for you and you feel comfortable using it, that’s what matters!

So I’m starting a “what in my bag” series- all about what I use- when and where!  

This is my workhorse kit and what I use 80% of the time.  

My Canon 5D Mark III is a solid and dependable body- you can’t go wrong with this bad boy.  It’s top of it’s class and has a full frame sensor to capture all that wonderful light.  I love that it has 2 card slots to allow me to record to 2 cards simultaneously!  Extra backup is always a good thing!!

It also has what my brother-in-law refers to as “machine gun mode”- high speed shooting to allow me capture those split second expressions and movements from those little ones!

 

My 50 mm lens is my go-to portrait lens.  This lens most closely resembles the human eye and is very flattering for people!  (very key!)

I use a prime lens (meaning it does not zoom) but it allows me to open up the lens more, let more light into the lens to achieve those creamy shallow depth of field (blurry background) look.  I typically don’t go below 2.8 when shooting families to keep focus, but I’ll go lower when shooting landscapes and things that don’t move as fast!

I always carry an extra battery and SD cards, as you never can be too prepared!

This little guy always comes with me- sometimes kids just need a little extra encouragement to keep their focus on the camera, and this helps!

 

My trusty blanket is also another main stay for getting everyone on the grass together.  I also keep a spare in my car that has works in case the grass is wet!!

 

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Italy Part 3: Capri

Ah...Capri....!!  What a beautiful and completely unique island!  It is absolutely beautiful and felt like straight out of a movie.  It also helped that this was the island of the "rich and famous"- a lot of very wealthy and famous people like to vacation here and it was quite evident by the level of shopping, fashion and food!  We spend a day at a private beach club where Dior had their fashion shoot the week before (!).  I of course recognized no one, but you can tell these were people of fame and fortune!  (so naturally I felt right at home....)

What they don't tell you is that Capri is a giant rock so it's EXTREMELY hilly.  The short walk from the piazza to our hotel was a major leg workout.  (It helped offset the gelato, pasta and limencello!) They don't have roads, just small walkways so everything is pedestrian based.  Sooooo many adorable doors and windows...not enough time to truly capture all of it!   

We were also able to get a private boat tour around the island see the famous green grotto and blue grotto.  Absolutely amazing!

Italy Part 2: Sorrento

We had a wonderful stay in Sorrento and took in the beauty of the coast!  Our time there included a death-defying bus ride around the cost to Positano and Amalfi, a day trip/tour to the ancient city of Pompeii, an unforgettable meal at the Grand Hotel Victoria, hidden and beautiful rocky shores, and lots and lots of delicious food and LIMONCELLO!!