If you’ve ever wondered what actually goes into a working photographer’s camera bag (as opposed to what gear YouTube says you need), this is mine.
This is the setup I use for brand shoots, portraits, families and lifestyle work – chosen for reliability, image quality, and kit that doesn’t slow me down on real shoots.
I’m not into carrying everything I own “just in case”. I want a tight, dependable setup that lets me work fast, move easily between locations, and know my gear inside out.
Below is what I use, what each piece is good for, and what I’d replace it with if I had to rebuild my kit tomorrow.
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Camera
Canon EOS R6 Mark II Full Frame Mirrorless (with spare batteries)
On client shoots, this is the camera I trust. It’s fast, reliable in low light, and as a result handles long shooting days without fuss. The autofocus is brilliant for people-focused work and it’s a camera I trust on client shoots.
Why I love it
- Great in natural light and indoor spaces
- Reliable autofocus for people
- Comfortable to shoot with all day
👉 Link to Canon R6 batteries & charger on Amazon
Lenses
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
This is my go-to lens for brand portraits and detail shots. It gives beautiful subject separation and also works brilliantly in lower light. I use my older EF lens with a converter which works great, but if you’re buying new then the RF version is your workhorse.
Best for: portraits, lifestyle details, personal brand imagery
👉 Link to Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 on Amazon
👉 Link to Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 on Amazon
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 DS
This is my “make everything look expensive” lens. It’s not small or light, but the look it gives is worth it for portraits and editorial-style images.
Best for: portraits, shallow depth of field, hero shots
👉 Link to Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 DS on Amazon
Canon RF 24–70mm f/2.8 L
If I could only take one lens to a shoot, it would be this. It covers wide shots, mid shots, and tighter framing without changing lenses constantly.
Best for: brand shoots, lifestyle sets, location work
👉 Link to Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 on Amazon
Mount converter
Useful if you’re mixing older lenses with newer camera bodies. It’s one of those boring-but-essential bits of kit.
👉 Link to Canon mount converter on Amazon
Camera strap
I love my Holdfast sling strap. I prefer to shoot with one camera at a time and choose lenses depending on the shot, rather than carrying two bodies at once. The sling style suits how I move around on shoots and feels comfortable over longer sessions.
Dual straps are really popular (especially for weddings), but for the way I work, a single-camera strap keeps things simpler and less cluttered.
If you’re shooting with two bodies regularly, the dual strap version is worth a look.
Lighting
Why I use continuous light instead of flash (and why Aputure works so well for photographers)
I’m often asked why I use continuous light rather than flash on shoots, especially for brand, lifestyle and portrait work. The short answer is – it suits how I work and how I want my shoots to feel. I like being able to see the light I’m working with. With continuous light, what you see is what you get. I can adjust the angle, softness and direction in real time and immediately see how it’s affecting someone’s face or the scene, without stopping to test and tweak settings.
It also helps keep the flow of the shoot. Because I’m usually working with people who aren’t professional models, and the more natural and relaxed the setup feels, the better the photos are. Flash can break that rhythm. There’s more stopping, more fiddling with settings, and more awareness of “being photographed”. For me, continuous light feels calmer and more conversational, which makes a huge difference to how comfortable people feel in front of the camera. From a practical point of view, it speeds me up too. I can move quickly between small changes in setup without interrupting the moment, which means better expressions and more natural movement.
Why continuous light keeps shoots flowing
For a long time, continuous lighting felt like it was mainly made for videographers, and photographers were expected to compromise on power or light quality. That’s changed a lot in recent years, and Aputure are a big part of that shift. Their lights are powerful enough for stills, the colour consistency is noticeably better than a lot of older continuous lighting options, and skin tones look natural without odd colour casts creeping in. What I’ve personally loved about using Aputure is how photographer-friendly their kit now feels. It doesn’t feel like I’m borrowing video kit and making it work for photography. Continuous lighting has come a long way, and for the way I shoot, it’s now a genuinely solid choice rather than a compromise.
Who continuous light is best for (and who it isn’t)
Continuous light works brilliantly if you:
- Photograph people who aren’t professional models
- Shoot personal branding, lifestyle, families or portraits
- Work in homes or smaller spaces
- Prefer to see your lighting as you work
- Like to keep shoots relaxed and flowing without lots of technical stops
It’s especially good if you want your shoots to feel more like a conversation than a production. People tend to settle into the space faster, which almost always leads to more natural expressions and better images.
It might not be the best fit if you:
- Regularly shoot large groups or big commercial sets
- Need to overpower bright midday sun
- Work in fast-paced environments where you need maximum power
- Are doing high-volume event photography where flash is more practical
There’s no right or wrong here – it’s about choosing tools that suit how you work. For my style of shooting and the spaces I’m usually in, continuous light keeps things simple, calm and consistent.
Amaran 200x S Bi-Colour COB Continuous Light
This is my main continuous light for controlled indoor shoots. It’s powerful, consistent, and easy to shape depending on the space I’m working in.
Best for: home shoots, brand photography, lifestyle sets
👉 Link to Amaran 200x S on Amazon
Godox lantern softbox
This gives a soft, even spread of light that feels natural rather than “studio-y”. It’s especially good for interiors and people who don’t want dramatic lighting.
Best for: soft fill light, small rooms, natural-looking setups
👉 Link to Godox lantern softbox on Amazon
👉 Link to Light stand on Amazon
This setup has evolved over years of real client work. I’m not chasing gear for the sake of it – everything here earns its place in my bag.
If you’re building your kit slowly, I’d prioritise:
- A reliable camera body
- One great prime lens
- One flexible zoom
- One dependable light source
You don’t need everything at once. You just need a setup you know how to use well.
I’ve also put together a separate page with the editing kit and everyday bits I use (hard drives, cards, monitors, and the boring but important stuff) if that’s more your thing.