I've never been one to spend a ton of money on equipment. I've always found items I love that are also cost efficient. Whether you are just beginning photography, or you have been doing this for a while, I think you can find value in this list. Below you will find all of my budget friendly equipment I actually own and use every day, and love!
You can find my whole recommended list here.
Here are the main items I have and use every day:
DSLR and Lenses
DSLR Canon Camera
I currently own two DSLRs, a canon 6D and a
canon 6D mark ii. I love this camera! When my other backup broke, which I did not love so I wasn't sad when it finally pooped out, I knew I would want another 6D, so I upgraded and got the mark ii. I love it so much! Its full frame, durable, reliable, and I love the specs and features it provides.
Sigma Lenses
I have 2 lenses. I keep one on each of my cameras so I don't have to take them off. There are tons of other lenses I would love to have, but for now these are the two I have:
Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art lens, and
Sigma 24mm 1.4 Art Lens. With both only being around $800, they are super affordable and amazing quality. I would recommend these lenses to anyone just starting out photography, as well as seasoned photographers! They give you a great range of wide, and portrait lens style, and they aren't very heavy either. I love the versatility of these two together.
On my wish list I have: the
85mm Sigma lens, and the
35mm Sigma lens. Still both only around $800, maybe some day I will get them!
Camera Accessories
Of course you can't just buy cameras and lenses. You'll need extra batteries, battery chargers and memory cards.
Memory Cards
I love these Lexar 128GB memory cards. They're large so they hold a few sessions, and they shoot fast. I keep these ones in my newer 6D mark ii, and I have some older ones in my 6D. I definitely recommend the Lexar ones though over my other brand I used to use:
SanDisk 64GB. The SanDisk ones hold up fine in my 6D but they did not keep up as well in my mark ii, which is why I upgraded to the Lexar brand.
I recommend having a few memory cards. I have 4 I use regularly, and 2 I have for backup. They are backup because I've either seen things that might be problems, so I don't want to use them, or they're older ones and too slow. I keep them though for emergencies.
DSLR Camera Batteries
I use these Canon brand batteries. I also have knock offs and they just don't last as long. I have a lot of these, probably 6 or so and am constantly switching them out when I notice they aren't holding a charge any more.
I also charge them with a Canon Charger, again the knock offs just never work and end up breaking in my experience, so the cost for the name brand here is worth it to me. Its also been a long time since I've purchased any other brand of charger, and Im sure there are better ones out there now. But to be safe I just stick with canon. I have a couple of chargers so they're easy to find and I keep one in my studio, one in my office, and one in my camera bag for emergencies.
Double Camera Strap
My beloved
double camera strap! I love this thing. It allows me to hook both of my cameras on each side, making them easy to grab. I love to use these for families and weddings. For family sessions, I'm able to get a ton more types of photos in a shorter amount of time, which means less time for the kids, which the parents always appreciate. At weddings, this allows me to get two different types of looks quickly which is especially helpful if I don't have a second shooter, which is most of the time.
Memory card holder
Remember how I said I have at least 6 memory cards? You need somewhere to put them. Its not safe to have them floating around your bag where they can get dusty, scratched, cracked or damaged. Those store your images so its super important to keep them protected.
I love this case that holds them all, and Im able to organize them in a way I'm familiar with that tells me which one to use next. The padding around it is nice and thick, and its water sealed so I know they won't get damaged.
Camera cleaning and protection
Lens Covers
Kuvrd Universal Lens Covers are just amazing. They are silicone so they can stretch over any lens, keeps them dust and water proof, and if they get dirty you can just wash them off under the water and let them dry. I love that I can put them in my back pocket and they wont slide out. I've lost so many hard plastic covers that way!
Lens cleaners
I love these Kuvrd screen cleaners. They work on lenses, the back of your camera, your phone, computer, anything. They are sticky on the back but won't leave residue and can be cleaned off to make re-sticky again. Its convenient to keep on on the back of your camera for quick finger print removal.
I also love this Lens cleaning kit. Its great for a deeper clean which I try to do before every shoot.
You also need to clean your sensor sometimes. If you don't want to pay for a professional to do it, you can try a DIY with these sensor cleaners. I thought they were easy to use and did a good job. I try to do this at least once a year.
Rain protector
Sometimes you have to shoot rain or shine, like at weddings! I can't tell you how many times I've had to shoot a wedding in a downpour. The last thing you want is for your camera to get wet, its just not worth it, you'll get water damage and it'll be ruined. Invest in these
Camera rain protectors and keep them rolled up in your bag for emergencies, you will be SO glad you did when you are stuck in a storm!
Camera Bag
I like Case Logic. Its a must for me to be able to put my cameras in my bag with my lenses still attached. This backpack allows me to do that with 2 of them, plus extra space for flashes and anything else.
Flashes and batteries
Speed Lights
Neewer Speed Lights are my favorite. They're very similar to the more expensive ones but at a way lower cost. I don't feel as bad if I drop them and they break or need replacing.
You'll find yourself needing speedlights for almost any indoor shoot. I use them for newborns, in home shoots, product shoots, studio shoots and weddings (especially receptions!). They are great for adding additional lighting so your images aren't too dark or bad quality.
On my wish list are these
Godox speed lights with receivers built in.
AA Batteries
These speed lights require AA batteries, so you'll want rechargeable ones. There are two brands I like.
Amazon basics and
Eneloops.
I use this charger to charge them up after each use.
Video Light
I like to use
this video light for really dark situations where you can't even focus, like a wedding reception exit!
Organization
Planner
I use
this planner to track EVERYTHING! All my appointments, important dates and of course my photography sessions I have scheduled. I also use the note portion on the right side of the calendar to track payments made. It helps me keep track of how much I am making on a daily, monthly and yearly basis.
Erasable Pens
Then I use
these erasable colored pens to mark up my planner. Each color means something different so I know exactly whats going on. I keep all my photography sessions in red, and I outline in green when they have paid their deposit. I mark payments with blue. I mark my kids activities with teal and use brown and some other colors for dr appointments and things like that! It helps me look at my calendar and quickly know when Im available for a photoshoot or something else. Then if a shoot cancels, or an apt gets rescheduled, I can easily ERASE it instead of crossing it off and making a mess. Its a game changer!
I hope this list was helpful for you! Whether you are just beginning photography, or you have been doing this for a while, I think you can find value in this list. I always think its helpful to know what other people are doing and what they like and works for them. It helps me to figure out what I like too.
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