📸 What’s In My Camera Bag? A Peek at My Go-To Photography Gear

Whether I’m headed to a wedding, a family session, or a last-minute creative shoot, my camera bag is packed with tools I trust — gear that helps me create magic, no matter the location or lighting.

If you’ve ever been curious about what’s behind the scenes of Rachael Shine Photography, this blog is for you. 📷✨

🧳 My Gear in a Nutshell

Every photographer develops their own gear system — the tools they reach for again and again. Here’s a breakdown of the photography gear I keep packed and ready for every session:

👉 Camera Bodies: Canon 5D Mark IV, Canon R6

👉 Lenses: Canon 85mm 2.0, Canon 17-40mm 4.0, 70-300mm 5.0

👉 Lighting: NEEWER Z1-C round head flash, NEEWER QPRO-C trigger

👉 Memory & Storage: San Disk Extreme PRO 128 GB cards

👉 Cleaning & Maintenance: microfiber cloths, lens cleaner

👉 Accessories: LP-E6NH batteries, USB-C charging cable, NEEWER tripod, ND filters for each lens, Lens hoods

⭐ The Essentials: What’s Always in My Bag

I love all my gear, but a few pieces get used in almost every session — here are my ride-or-die favorites:

1. Canon R6 Why I love it: The R6 is such a great mirrorless body for most photographer needs. It's lightweight and versatile enough to handle 99% of what I need a camera to do.

2. Canon 85mm 2.0 Why I love it: This is my ride or die lens. It has Macro settings, but is also long enough to get further away shots without getting too close to the action. The 2.0 minimum aperture allows for that beautiful bokeh that creates a striking portrait.

3. Canon 17-40mm 4.0 Why I love it: This lens in a power house. It allows me to get great portraits, but also fit into tight spaces that I wouldn't be able to get with my 85mm.

If you're just getting started and wondering what to invest in first — these are the tools I’d recommend over and over again.

📸 Why the Right Photography Gear Matters

While it’s true that it’s the photographer who creates the image, the right gear can absolutely elevate the experience and outcome. Sharp lenses, reliable lighting, and a camera body that can handle low light or fast movement? That’s the kind of support I need to capture once-in-a-lifetime moments beautifully and confidently.

And as someone who works everywhere from the red rocks of Kanab to the wildflowers in Mantua, durability and flexibility in my gear is non-negotiable.

🔗 Want More Behind-the-Scenes?

Curious how this gear works in real life?

Check out my blog on What to Expect During Your Photography Session to see how the magic happens on shoot day.

You can also follow me on Instagram or browse my Pinterest for behind-the-scenes looks at sessions and the gear I’m using in the moment.

💬 Have Gear Questions?

Photographers and curious clients — feel free to reach out! I love chatting about tools of the trade, especially if you're building your own camera kit or want to understand what happens behind the scenes.

Let’s create something beautiful. ✨Reach out anytime via my Contact Page — whether it’s to book a session or geek out about lenses.