Favorite Tools & Equipment for Portrait Photography

In this list you’re going to find my favorite additions to the photography studio over the last ten years, big and small.

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Before I get started on my favorite photography equipment, I highly encourage you to start small! You get get started with some basic photography equipment listed here!

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Everyone’s favorite tools and equipment and accessories for their work are personal, here’s mine:

Photography Equipment

• DSLR body: Start out with a basic body. I still love my kit camera from 10 years ago, it’s a Nikon D3100 with my upgrade being a D3300.
• Mobile Camera: Gorgeous shots are absolutely possible on a smartphone and other devices. Many of my portraits have been taken with my iPod, and I now almost exclusively take photos with my camera phone. It’s a great way to experiment and get different shots before shooting the same look with a DSLR, or to do an entire shoot.
• Glass: I’ve become a sucker for fast prime lenses in this small studio. My favorites are this 85mm lens and my 50mm lens.
• Ring light: Perfect for smaller studio spaces. I love this Neewer 18 inch Ring Light.
• Continuous Lighting: I love lightweight floor lamps with daylight LED bulbs.
• Flashguns and umbrellas: These have given me my most luscious lighting, but not my favorite option in a cramped studio. With ample space, a Neewer Speedlite or two paired with umbrellas like those in the Limo Studio Lighting Kit can create beautiful lighting! (I use a standard continuous bulb, and then angle the flash speedlite into the umbrella).
• Remote Trigger Release: This has been indispensable. I almost always use this one but I also have a few other versions depending on the shooting situation. It prevents a LOT of running back and forth.
• Polarizing Filters: Remember to choose quality so you’re not degrading the quality of your images. Not only will these handy filters boost colors and reduce glare, they’ll help keep your lenses safe from scratches.
• Rechargeable Batteries: Extra points if you use a solar panel to charge these.
• PS and Lightroom: I bought PS CS5 for my computer back when Adobe wasn’t subscription based. I use the free Lightroom app on my IPod to edit my mobile shots.
• Computer: Editing photography on a laptop isn’t ideal (depending who you ask) but it frees up a lot of space in the studio. If buying a computer, research ahead to see if it’s a good option for photography.
• Monitor Color Calibrator: Calibrate your monitor and, in your editing program, use the best color space when editing and saving. Plenty of great tutorials for this online.
• Backdrops: aka: Blankets, curtains, etc outfitted with safety pins to hang from nails on the wall. Check out your local thrift shop to see what colors, textures, patterns and prints you can find.
• Mobile Camera Accessories: Tripods, selfie sticks, and clip on polarizing filters/lenses and other accessories are available for mobile devices.
• Flash Drives: You’ve worked hard to create your work, be sure to save copies somewhere off your computer.

There you have it!

My favorite tools and equipment that I’ve adored the most over the past decade in the photography studio.

What are your own favorite tools and pieces of equipment?

Share with your friends and trade your own list of must-haves!