What's in my Camera Bag?

I love photography. Since I was 11 or 12 I wondered around with my parents good ol' Yashika film camera. I still remember the feeling of going to the store and dropping off the film and passing by the display window wondering if that film rolling was mine or not. Then a couple hours later stopping by to pick up a stash of pictures and strips of develop film in an yellow envelope. Going through them was always a learning curve, lots of 'Nope!', great 'Pretty good' and a few 'Hell! Yeah! I did it!', and there my passion was born.

Fast forwarding to today, the thrill of waiting for "that picture" does not exist to the same level anymore to me, but I get a much bigger rush when I get compliments on my pictures from strangers, clients, family and friends. Often I hear people saying that I have a "pretty nice camera", and, although the camera itself won't make the pictures better or worse, but my eyes and knowledge on using the camera, I gotta say I do have a pretty nice equipment on my hands. Or should I say on my bag?

With that said, I am sharing with you what's in my camera bag.

As everyone, I started with a simple camera, and the kit lenses that come with them. Throughout the years I was always very careful on what I spent my money on, so (thanks to years of College!!!!) I do a lot of research before making a purchase. My first stop is always the website Flickr. If I am looking for something as a new lens, or a new flash, is most likely that I will find a group with the equipment name on it and tons of people sharing their opinions about the product and photos taken with it. After thinking (A LOT) if is the right equipment for me, I go ahead and make the purchase.

So here is what I have right now in my camera bag. I have more in a suit case, but this is what I carry to go to the park, museum, visit friends, family, on my trips or for a short session.

01. Jo Totes Rose Camera Bag (pictured above): awhile ago I wrote a post about camera bags options, and I finally settled with the Jo Totes Rose. I find it pretty spacious, and it fits my style. I can carry it sideways or as a shoulder bag and when the camera is not inside it, it's pretty light to carry around.

02. Canon EOS 60D Camera: a great group of people will disagree with me, but I didn't see the need to upgrade to a 5D Mark yet. I have plans to upgrading my camera, just not yet.

03. Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Lens (not shown): one of the best lenses I have ever tested. Very versatile and perfect to photographing on the go. A must for portrait photography in my opinion. I tend to shoot fairly close up, I would say I like my subjects within reaching distance. This way I can take candid photographs without spooking people, approaching them calmly making them at easy and more likely to smile to my camera and feel comfortable in knowing someone is taking their pictures.

04. Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens: I did not go for a L lens with this one, honestly, because I saw no much more improvement between them, specially considering the price difference between both ($450 to $2,220). Is a great lens, perfect for the full body portraits, giving more focus to the subject, than the 35mm would in a more distant shoot.

05. Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM: I tested several telephoto lenses, and for my style of photography, this one fits me perfectly. I love the bouquet it gives to my portraits and is a sharp lens. This lens allows me to sneak shots for further away without people noticing.

06. Camera Lens Caps: I always carry extra for when I switch lenses. You never know where they go when you most need them.

07. Cleaning kit: sometimes lenses get dirty, with dust and wind, all you can do is clean, but as always, it can't wait for when you get home, so I always carry a lens wipe and brush with me for the quick on the go clean up.

08. Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash: I barelly use it, but occasionally I can't get as creative with natural light and I am forced to use flash on my pictures.

09. Lightscoop: Highly recommended by some friends, I purchased it years ago and I haven't regretted it. You can find cheaper versions, but this bounce flash device will dramatilly improve yourphotos without much investment. When I am photographing products, I still rely on them for some improvement in light if natural light is not available.

10. Coach Wristlet: a friend (thanks Kathleen!) of mine gave me years ago my first wristlet, and since then I barely need a handbag. I carry everything I need (money, documents, business cards, passport, phone) in there and just transfer it from bag to bag, or carrying on it's own.

11. Business Cards: I always carry them with me. To be honest, I have stashes of them everywhere. In the car, in my bags, even in my kid's stroller. You never know when you need them.

12. Purell: The world can be kinda a dirty place. So before touching a baby, or entering a client's home I always rub my hands in Purell.

13. Fresh Sugar Plum Lip Treatment with SPF 15: Not that I really believe my lips need sunscreen, but I need a hint of color on my olive skin from time to time.

14. Pen: I never know when I need to take notes of something.

15. Headbands: for the moments where my locks start getting on the way.

16. Microsoft Surface: Best tablet ever. Although I still love my iPad, the Surface is much more practical for business, allowing me to use Microsoft Office and and Lightroom without carrying the weight of a laptop.

17. iPhone: Because people need to get ahold of me. :-)

18. Remote Control: for the moments when I want to be in the picture also.

19. Memory Card Case: Mine I bought ages ago on Ebay. I like this one because is a hard case and holds up to 12 cards. You can find several models online and choose what fits you best.

♥ Enjoy!