"What do you take to your sessions?"
I’ve been asked this question several times now, and it’s a great one! Newborn sessions are very different from outdoor sessions, so for this post, I'm going to focus on outdoor sessions with families!
I like to keep things pretty simple, and I don’t like to tote around a ton of things while I’m outside shooting! So, here’s what I keep on hand:
Equipment: my camera & lenses
I am a portrait photographer, so I only have two lenses-- a 50mm and a 35mm. I typically like to shoot with my 50mm, so that’s what I have on my camera most of the time.
Also, I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark iii :)
Tissues
These always come in handy, but they’re especially great during the fall and winter! Often times families are so focus on getting dressed, ready, and to their session on time that they don’t think to bring things like tissues with them (I know from experience...I’ve forgotten them for our own sessions!) So, I like to have these on hand just in case there are runny noses or anything else that needs to be wiped!
Stool
I always bring a small step stool to each session (here's the link to a stool that is similar to the one I have) , because I am height challenged! ;) Really, though, at 5’2” most of my clients have at least an inch or two on me (except for the kiddos, of course!), and I like to shoot at eye level or above! So, I use my stool at almost every session!
Blanket
This especially comes in handy at family sessions! I like always bring a neutral colored (usually cream or gray) blanket with me to family sessions so that we can get some shots of the family snuggled up together. These usually end up being some of my favorite photos! (Tip: the blanket also comes in handy if you’re going to photograph mom and dad, and the kids need a place to sit for a few minutes or if anyone is cold!)
Water bottle
I like to have a water bottle with me at my sessions just in case-- I’ve used it to wash hands, and I’ve had to use it during allergy season when I got a tickle in my throat and wasn’t able to stop coughing. A little bit of water is always a good thing to have around! During the summer months I encourage my clients to bring water, too!
One thing that I might add to my bag in the future:
Wet Wipes-- these would work way better than tissues and water, ha!
I’m curious...what do you take to a session? Comment below!