Must Haves: my camera gear must haves and what i use it for

People ask me all the time what gear I actually use, and the honest answer is that everything I carry has earned its place. I don’t bring things just to have them — I bring what I trust, what works consistently, and what helps me stay focused on the people in front of my camera instead of what’s in my hands.

My main cameras are the Nikon Z8 and the Nikon Z7II. The Z8 is what I reach for most often because it’s fast, sharp, and keeps up with movement so well. The Z7II is my second body and backup, and I love how seamless it feels alongside the Z8. Between the two of them, I’m covered for everything from proposals to long wedding days.

I also keep film cameras in rotation, specifically my Nikon FG and Pentax Ezyr. Film slows things down in a way that feels refreshing. It brings intention back into shooting and adds a different layer to sessions that I really love.

Lens-wise, I keep it simple and reliable. My 24–70mm f/2.8 is the most versatile lens I own and stays on one body most of the time. My 85mm f/1.8 is my favorite for portraits — soft, flattering, and perfect for capturing connection without getting in anyone’s space.

For lighting, I use my Godox V100 and Neewer V2N, paired with a Godox flash diffuser. It keeps light soft and natural, especially for indoor or low-light situations, and makes flash feel way less harsh than people expect.

One piece of gear people always ask about is my Ray-Ban Meta glasses. I use them mainly for behind-the-scenes moments and proposals, especially when I want a first-person perspective. They’ve become such a fun way to tell stories in a more immersive, natural way.

I also keep a Canon G10 on hand for casual, documentary-style images, plus an Instax Mini for instant photos. The instant prints are always a hit and give clients something tangible to walk away with.

On the workflow side, I edit on a 14-inch MacBook Pro and use my iPad Pro for culling, planning, and organizing when I’m on the go. Everything gets backed up on a Samsung external hard drive, and I shoot exclusively on SanDisk SD cards because reliability matters more than anything.

As far as bags and organization go, Ruby & Rae has completely changed how I pack and work. I rotate between The Duo, The Sidekick, and The Backup depending on the session, and The Ruby backpack comes with me every time. Having everything organized and easy to grab makes long days so much smoother and keeps me focused on shooting instead of digging for gear.

And yes — my AirPod Max headphones are always with me. Whether I’m editing, traveling, or just zoning in, they make the process a little quieter and a lot more enjoyable.

At the end of the day, none of this gear is about trends or aesthetics. It’s about having tools I trust so I can show up prepared, relaxed, and ready to document moments as they happen.