Having the right equipment for the job can make all the difference between getting the shot or not. It can also have a huge effect on your enjoyment level while taking the pictures. Below are five of my favorite pieces of equipment (other than cameras, flashes, and lenses) that help me get the job done.
Hoodman Loupe
Have you ever been shooting in bright sunlight and had a hard time seeing the screen on the back of your camera? The Hoodman Loupe totally solves this problem, comes in multiple sizes, and even has a diopter to adjust to your eyesight. I use this on every outside assignment I do – whether it’s a wedding or landscape photography – and it greatly increases my comfort level when shooting in very bright conditions.
Custom Bracket RF-Pro
Years ago, most event photographers used a flash bracket to avoid harsh shadows behind their subjects and eliminate red eye. But, over time, brackets have gone out of favor due to their bulky size. I still prefer to use one because I can set the angle of my flash (for instance bouncing the flash off a wall over my right shoulder) and instantly rotate the camera between vertical and horizontal while still keeping the flash angle constant. This bracket is so small and form-fitting to your camera that you will hardly notice it’s there. When I remove the flash, the camera and bracket easily fits into my camera case without taking it apart. Love it!
Tether Tools Tether Block
When I do studio photography sessions, I almost always shoot tethered with a Tether Tools cable going from my camera to my laptop. This enables me to see the photo right after I take it on the larger laptop screen instead of on the small screen on the back of my camera. The only problem is that it’s very common for the connection to frequently disconnect during the shoot. The Tether Block from Tether Tools holds the cable firmly against the bottom of the camera in a groove in the bracket. This has greatly increased my success while shooting tethered to avoid disconnections. The bracket is also compatible with Arco Swiss style tripod mounts.
MoneyMaker Strap
I often shoot weddings with two cameras on my body. I used to have one around my neck and the other hanging off my shoulder. This frequently led to neck and back pain and the risk of dropping the second camera. Since switching to the Moneymaker Strap, my neck and back pain is gone and I love being able to instantly switch between two cameras with no fear of dropping one. In this photo above, Jenna Berman, our Marketing and Communications Specialist, is modeling the Camera Swagg version which is non leather. The company also offers a variety of leather options. There are other companies that offer something similar or even a waist belt version (the Spider Pro Holster). All will enable you fast access to multiple cameras with minimal stress on your body.
LowePro Roller 300
When I shoot a big event such as a wedding, I bring a lot of equipment – both for photographic variety and to have backup gear ready to go in case of an emergency. I typically bring three cameras, four flashes,six lenses, plus a lot of other accessories and food and water! I’ve shot hundreds of events with this bag and it’s amazing in both functionality and the quality of the materials and workmanship. Notice how everything is immediately visible and accessible. A well organized bag will speed up your workflow, help avoid losing items, or accidentally leaving them at home.
These are just a few of my favorites. What’s your favorite gear that helps you take better pictures?
