What's in my camera bag?

Brady McCloskey February 14, 2017

Those who love photography know that gear is something we all enjoy discussing, debating, and of course, drooling over. Whatever you may use whether it may be Canon, Nikon, Sony....they all have the ability to take a beautiful photo. Many people will argue that one brand is better than the other but in my opinion it is all about preference, and I choose to photograph with Canon. After my first two Kodak point and shoot cameras broke, I bought a couple more Canon point and shoots. When I decided to buy my first DSLR, Canon was the natural choice.

I often get asked at weddings or events what type of camera I use, what lenses I have, and what I use each one for. So, here I'm sharing 'what's in my camera bag' and the uses I have for each piece of equipment! Under some lenses you'll see an example of photos taken with that particular lens. You'll see just how much it takes to perfectly photograph a wedding, family, or commercial job.

Let's nerd out together.

I couldn't begin talking about what's in my camera bag without actually talking about my camera bag itself. I upgraded to this ThinkTank Airport Navigator because I always struggled with fitting everything at once. I stubbornly gave up the idea of always carrying my bag on my body and switched to a rolling style. Game changer. I love how this packs everything in, is airplane friendly, swiftly rolls around, and can still trek to any beach, or field. My back thanks me for it.

For shorter shoots with only a couple lenses, I’ll usually use my Peak Design Everyday Sling. I love it.

I like to use as little gear as possible to keep things simple and efficient. On a wedding day I am using only 3-4 lenses, and less for other jobs.

Many photographers had been waiting for Canon to announce a new upgrade to the 5D Mark III for a while now, including me. In the Fall of 2016 when the Canon 5D Mark IV was announced I immediately pre ordered it to replace my aging camera body. Pieces were literally falling off my 5D Mark III it was so well used, so the update came at a great time.

Once you get past the sticker shock, the 5D Mark IV is a beautiful machine. Overall, I haven't noticed any massive improvements over the Mark III, but the focusing is quicker and easier, highlights are less blown out, colors are better, and the touchscreen is surprisingly useful. I also have come to love the wifi feature to send photos to my phone. I've quickly fallen in love with this camera.

I would be lost without my 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II lens. Chances are about 75% of the photos on my website and blog were taken with this lens. It is by far my favorite because of the way it matches my photography style with it's versatility, compressed blurry backgrounds, and sharpness. If I have a chance to use this lens over another, I'll pick this 9 times out of 10.

*In the Summer of 2019, I upgraded to the new version of this lens and have seen a big difference in sharpness and focus.

The Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 is a fairly new addition to my equipment and now I've wondered how I went without it in the past. This is the only lens I have that isn't a Canon, but when comparing the Canon version to this, the Tamron was a clear winner for me because of the similar reviews, and the substantial cost savings. I now use this lens for mostly all of my wide angle shots, group portraits in tight places, and on the dance floor to show the whole crowd. It's versatile and a great new addition.

When it comes to photos of rings, jewelry, cards, or anything else close up - this is my go to. The Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS is a great lens that improved my ring shots for one, and is also a nice lens for portraits. Unfortunately this lens stopped functioning properly. The auto focus no longer works right so I am stuck focusing manually until I can get it fixed.

Here is a beautiful lens! The Canon 50mm f/1.2L is my 2nd favorite to photograph with. The 1.2 number means the background can go very, very blurry if needed which can make for some really great shots. I use this lens for single shots of 1 person or 1 item, during bridal/groom prep, and during cocktail hours or events when I am mingling amongst the crowd. All equipment photos in this post (besides this photo) were taken with this lens. I find the focal length perfect in many situations.

The Canon 17-40 f/4L lens is a great lens for landscape photography in particular. I purchased this lens during the days when I lived in Banff, Alberta and photographed a lot of scenic photos. After that, I used it for a lot of wide angle shots during weddings and commercial jobs. I found it had too much distortion on the edges so it's now taken a back seat to my Tamron 24-70.

My newest lens is the Canon TS-E 24mm tilt shift. This is a crazy lens used primarily for architecture photography to keep all the lines straight and the perspective natural. I've only used this a handful of times so far since it is very specific, but the results I've seen have been awesome. Really happy to have this as part of my kit now.

The Canon 35mm f/2 was purchased for situations where I wanted to be using my 50mm, but didn't have enough space. This mainly comes in handy in tight spaces where I don't have a lot of room to work but still want a low aperture and prime lens.

I use three Canon 600EX-RT Speedlites for my flash setup. If I'm photographing with one on my camera, the other two are usually being triggered for an off camera flash. I don't use Pocket Wizards or any other triggers because the 600EX-RTs have a built in transmitter which allows me to use flash #1 to control flash #2 and #3, even from across the room. I've gone through multiple flashes in the past few years but have been really happy with these. Plus, the battery life is great.

Photo taken with Canon50mm F1.2 and Canon Speedlite 600 EX-RT

Photo taken with Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS and Canon Speedlite 600 EX-RT

In addition to my Canon flashes, I also use the relatively new Profoto A1 external flash. This is my go to for one light setups where I’m not triggering other flashes and only need one on camera. I typically use this for most of my dance floor photos, or really dark areas where I need flash for a quick photo. I also use this as a trigger for my big strobe, the Profoto B1x. The best thing about the A1 is it never misfires, it will go off 100% of the time. The light is also even and really nice. The downsides though are the steep price tag, and the low battery life.

Backup Gear

Those are the 5 lenses I carry with me in my main bag to mostly every photo shoot. In the unfortunate event my entire bag ever gets stolen, lost, or dropped in the ocean, I always have a backup in the trunk of the car. My backup bag has a second camera and some essential lenses in the event of an emergency.

A Lowepro Nova 4 is a great little bag I picked up used a few years ago and with all the lugging and traveling it has done, there's not a single sign of wear. It's a quality product.

My backup camera is a Canon 5D Mark III. Although now retired to the backup bag, this thing has been through rainstorms, being dropped multiple times, and has been banged around a lot, but it's tough. Some of my favorite features include the high amount of focus points, high ISO capabilities, and the in camera HDR mode for commercial photography.

The Canon 40mm f/2.8 "pancake lens" is a fun lens that is incredibly small and compact. It's really easy to carry around and fits in a small bag perfectly. Although this is in my backup gear now, I used to use it for cocktail hour/event photos where I would be in tight spaces. This is actually the only lens I usually pack when I travel! It's super portable and fits well in a backpack. All of the shots on my Oregon & Australia/New Zealand trips were taken with this, believe it or not.

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 (right side) is a lens I often recommend to someone who owns a lens that came with their camera, but is looking to purchase a new one. It's relatively inexpensive, light, and can take some nice photos with blurry backgrounds.

The Canon 50mm Compact Macro let's you take close up shots of rings, jewelry, and other small details.

Questions?

Give me a shout in the comments if you have any questions about what gear I use or why. Wondering what type of lens you should use in a specific situation? Advice on a particular lens? Ask me anything!

Thanks for reading!

-Brady

tips for a Rainy wedding day

Brady McCloskey May 22, 2015

If you're like some couples, you've been checking and refreshing the long range weather forecast ever since your date popped up. You may be disappointed to see rain on the horizon, but with a little pre planning and a good attitude, the rain certainly won't spoil the fun.

As a Prince Edward Island wedding photographer it is inevitable that I will experience a rainy wedding day at some point. I've photographed many before, and will likely photograph many in the future. However, there's a few things to think about that will make your day go much smoother if rain is on the way.

Of course, umbrellas! Umbrellas are an absolute must if the weather is looking wet. I've photographed many couples under the shelter of umbrellas and they help to keep hair and makeup in tact, and outfits clean and dry. You may want to consider purchasing enough for you and your wedding party so that in the event of light rain, everyone is still able to venture outside for photos. Make sure to keep your receipt so that you return them if you didn't end up using them.

In many instances I'll photograph the bride and groom under the cover of their umbrella, and then have them drop it quickly for a few photos. This gives a mix of both views, and is quick enough to make sure no one gets too wet. Besides the wet ground, you may never know it was raining.

Have a back up plan in place for your photos and an alternate location if your ceremony is outdoors. Being prepared for weather can help ease a lot of stress on your wedding day. By having a back up plan in case of rain, you don't have to scramble on the day of and take up time. I've photographed under the cover of verandas, in public buildings, and under heavy foliage. I've even rode along for a long, limo dance party. A professional photographer is trained to handle unexpected circumstances and work in difficult situations, so hiring one will be a big help when it comes to a rainy wedding day.

Beforehand, consult with your hairstylist and makeup artist for tips on keeping yourself looking picture perfect despite rain and humidity. A professional will know different techniques to make sure your hair & makeup don't change throughout the day. I asked the talented Holly Ryder from Priti Makeup Artistry to give some tips for keeping your makeup in line on a rainy day. Holly says:

Primer! It will help everything stay in place
Waterproof eyeliner and mascara
Choosing creamy products vs powders, ex. a cream blush & liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer instead of powder alternatives
Good quality lipstick, it has better staying power than a gloss!

Thanks, Holly!

Be flexible with your timing. If it is raining, chances are there will be a window of time at some point in the day where it stops completely, or it is only spitting/misting. Being able to do some photos before or after you originally planned can be a way to avoid the rainy parts of your day. If the weather is looking sour, consider options like a first look before your ceremony, or some photos after dinner. This gives you more than one opportunity for photos, and makes sure you don't just rely on one specific time.

However, even on the worst of days you never know when the clouds may break and the sun starts to peak through!

The most important thing - keep up a positive attitude. Your wedding day is what you make it. You can't control the weather, but you can control how you handle it. Above all, it's important to not let the rain spoil your day. Your shoes may get a little wet, you may not be able to get to locations you planned for, and you may need to adjust your timeline, but after all it's important to remember to have fun. So, take a breather and keep on smiling!

And if all else fails.....have a drink.

Been caught on a rainy wedding day? What did you do to keep dry and have fun? Leave me a comment!

5 Quick Tips for your Engagement Session

Brady McCloskey March 31, 2015

Today, let's talk about engagement sessions! It's that time of year where many wedding couples are starting to think about their engagement sessions before their weddings this Summer and Fall. I love these sessions, and have photographed so many couples across PEI in many different locations. Here I wanted to share 5 little tips so you can make the most of your own photo shoot.

The main reason I include a complimentary engagement session with every full day wedding collection is because it allows us to get to know each other and for the couple to become comfortable in front of the camera. A lot of my clients will show up feeling a little nervous and unsure what to expect at first, and I totally get that. For many, this is the first time they're being photographed by a professional apart from their high school or post secondary grad photos! They may be scared I'll ask them to do a bunch of crazy things, stand in awkward positions the whole time, or be generally uncomfortable. They quickly realize that's not the way it goes. Being photographed is much easier than expected, and quite enjoyable! The truth is, as a photographer my job is about 50% photography, and 50% knowing how to work with people.

You can take incredible photos but if you don't know how to make people feel comfortable, you're not going to achieve the look both you and your clients want. An engagement session introduces you to your photographer with a 'practice run' of sorts, letting you see first hand how they work. I've had many people tell me (even the guys!) how easy and fun their engagement session was and that's what I strive for.

1. Before the shoot, I often let my clients choose the location so that we photograph somewhere unique and special to them. From baseball fields, to pumpkin patches, to beaches, and farms, I've been taken to many beautiful locations across PEI, all special in their own way. I recommend choosing a spot that has meaning to you such as a favorite spot to visit together, and old date location, or a family member's property.

2. I encourage clients to add special touches to their session including one of my favorite things.....dogs! Bringing along your dog can help add a fun and light hearted dynamic to your session. Even if your dog runs around and is only in a couple photos, you may enjoy the familiarity of having your four legged friend there with you. Plus, they're a special part of your life so why not have them in your photographs too?

3. In addition to pets, some other objects can be fun to bring along such as handmade signs, a cozy blanket, sports equipment, paint, or balloons. Feel free to bring what you like, or nothing at all. If you do, just make sure to keep it simple and easy to carry. Either way, the photos will be beautiful!

4. "So, what should I wear?" I get asked this question a lot. I always tell clients to simply wear what they know is going to make them feel comfortable and relaxed. I've had couples show up in everything from dresses and heels, to shorts and sandals - it all depends on what look you're going for, and where your session takes place. Consider bringing along a light sweater or different pieces of jewelry if you'd like a quick and easy outfit change. If you're having a hard time deciding, take a look through my Portrait section on my website for some examples of what others have worn.

5. Lastly, relax and have fun! No part of working with me or any photographer should be stressful. It's a great feeling to come away from a session with photos you're proud of, ones that you will print and hang on the wall for years. Feel free to think outside the box if you want to too. There are no rules, it's your hour to enjoy so have fun with it!

If you've had engagement photos taken before, what was your favorite part? Any tips you'd like to add? Share them in the comments!

Brady