EQUIPMENT IN MY KIT BAG

"I'm sorry to bother you, I'm just starting out and I love your images...." Never a week goes by when I don't get an email starting with the above. Photographers that are just starting out and want to know where to start, what equipment I use. So here is a blog post to answer all those questions.

Firstly I'd like to thank you for all the lovely comments, I’m so glad that my images inspire you. However I feel the need to be totally honest. photography is a tough gig, probably the toughest. It’s not easy money it’s hard graft. I'm sure for most people being their own boss sounds idyllic, but being self employed is hard, there is way more to running a photography business than just taking photos.

I think it was Tom Ang that once said to me in a workshop “we should all know how to operate our camera in the dark”, and that really struck a cord with me, I know my camera back to front, it’s the only manual that I have ever actually read cover to cover, it’s the only manual I’ve ever read full stop! I understand the relationship between shutter speed, aperture and ISO, I understand the effect of using a camera at a small or a large aperture and those in between.

If you are looking to start a newborn photography business please don't start until you know your camera and you have invested in some basic training. I know it’s a big outlay but you’ll reap the benefits in the long run.

I have trained in the art of Newborn Photography in the UK and in the US. Success doesn’t happen over night, it takes training and practise. Before I specialised in Newborns I mainly did Family and Children’s portraiture, I started off doing location shoots and then moved onto studio, which was another steep learning curve. I've worked hard to learn my craft, and I'm still learning, I don't think I'll ever stop learning. I have been lucky enough to work with and meet some amazing photographers over the years and made some fantastic friends. Photography is something that I feel incredibly passionate about, I live it, breathe it and sleep it. In my spare time I work on my own personal projects.... are you getting the gist? If you want an easy life then photography isn't for you... :-)

In terms of equipment, I shoot with a Canon 5D MK4, I have two. I only use L series professional lenses, my clients deserve the best.

I have a studio in my home, which cost me £10,000 to set up. I use Elinchrom lights and I have numerous softboxes that I use depending on what effect I want to achieve, I mainly shoot with one light but again depending on the set up I may use three.

Below are some images that I have taken in my own time all of them are pre 2010.

Good luck and never stop clicking :-)

Below the images is a list of items that I use and have found invaluable.