I must admit…I love gear! As a fashion photographer, I love new pieces of equipment that allow me to get creative or to do my job more easily. That being said, gear is more about achieving your vision than scratching your gear-nerd itch. In fact, fashion photography is truly driven by concept. What is the idea or story you are telling with your images? Once you’ve determined the purpose of the shoot, that helps to select the right techniques and tools needed to execute the vision.
While different jobs or concepts will require different tools, I often find myself using some of the same gear over and over again. When I’m on location or in the studio, my choice of lenses and strobes vary slightly. Let’s take a look at what’s in my bag and my usual go-to gear.
Camera and Lenses
This is the gear I typically use when shooting in a studio:
Canon R5
This mirrorless camera has amazing resolving power, fantastic face and eye tracking, and makes my life easier.
Canon RF 24-105 4.0
This is my most commonly used lens because it gives me the most versatility and range.
Canon RF 70-200mm
I use this lens for tighter headshots of my subjects.
Canon RF 100mm Macro
If I need to capture just a detail (eyes, lips, half of face), this is my lens of choice.
These are the lenses I use when shooting on-location. My camera body (Canon R5) stays the same.
Canon RF 24-70mm 2.8
This lens is great for my full-length and mid-length shots. It gives me versatility with a narrow depth of field.
Canon RF 85mm 1.2
When I want a striking narrow depth of field for tight portraits and closeup shots, this is my on-location lens of choice. The F1.2 makes the background melt away!
Canon RF 50mm 1.2
This is my location lens of choice for mid-length shots. I can get closer crops with good results, or backup for wider compositions. The F1.2 gives me a strikingly narrow depth of field and this lens is razor sharp.
Accessories
TetherTools Tether Cable (USB C to USB C)
I always shoot tethered. This helps me to monitor the shoot for focus, color grading, and lighting. Plus, it allows my creative team to monitor their work and make necessary changes. This cable connects from the camera to the computer so that I can see and backup the images in real time.
TetherTools TetherBlock (Block + cable)
This secures the tether cable to the bottom of my camera.
SanDisk Pro GDrive Solid State (1TB)
I use this drive because it is super fast (solid state) and allows me to backup the shoot as I go.
Lensbaby Omni
This is a great tool for allowing me to add creative in-camera effects. I use this often for fashion editorials and creative portraiture.
Profoto Air Remote
Works great to fire my Profoto strobes whether in the studio or on location. I can control the strobe power remotely.
Lighting
This is the gear I typically use when shooting in a studio:
Profoto D2 1000 Watts
This strobe has a ton of output, fantastic recycle times, great color consistency, and is absolutely my go-to in the studio.
ALL Profoto Modifiers
I use a lot of Profoto modifiers — from umbrellas, to softboxes, to Magnum reflectors, and many mor I love having a variety of tools at my fingertips. There are some tools, however, that I reach for more than others. See below…
Profoto Beauty Dish
This is great for headshots and beauty campaigns. When I want something soft and flattering — but with a bit more pop and contrast — I grab my white beauty dish.
Profoto Large Umbrella Deep White + Diffusion
When I want a soft light source that I can easily control, this modifier is my go-to.
Westcott Optical Spot
Not only did I design this modifier with Westcott, but it truly is a lighting tool that has changed my career. I can create tight slices of light on my subjects, or textures of light in the environment. If you know my work, you’ve seen its results a million times!
Westcott Scrim Jim 8x8ft
If I need to light a group of people or achieve the softest light possible, a scrim is the modifier I reach for.
This is the lighting I use when shooting on-location.
Profoto B10+
This battery-operated portable strobe is small, but also has an output of 500 Watts. It is a great balance between size and strength. This is my go-to of location strobes and I can easily fit more than one in a backpack.
Westcott RapidBox Switch Octa M
I use a variety of portable modifiers. Although, I love how quickly I can set up this soft light source. It pops open like an umbrella and creates a soft light source that is easy to transport and setup.
Does gear make the photographer? Of course not! But it makes the photographer’s life easier and allows them to express their vision. I hope you’ve enjoyed checking out my favorite tools as a fashion photographer.
You can see more of my work in AdoramaTV’s new docuseries, THE MASTERS.
