For the past 15 years, I’ve been a children and family photographer, and I’ve never chased after the latest and greatest gear. It’s easy to get caught up in the constant upgrades—new cameras, lenses, and accessories—but I don’t. If that’s your thing, go for it! But for me, I stick with what works until it no longer serves me.

Of course, I’ve upgraded my cameras over the years. I started with a Nikon D40, which was released in November 2006. My husband bought it for me just before our first baby was born in April 2009. That model has since been discontinued, but it was where my journey began. I started with the kit lens until someone introduced me to the "nifty 50"—the 50mm f/1.8 lens—and I used it exclusively for years. I still love teaching others how to use this lens because it’s perfect for understanding aperture and mastering camera settings.

As my photography business grew, I upgraded to a Nikon D90 and eventually bought my first full-frame camera, the Nikon D800. At the time, I had no idea what “cropped sensor” vs. “full-frame” meant, but I quickly learned. A cropped sensor has a smaller image sensor than a full-frame, meaning the captured image is essentially a smaller portion of a larger potential view.

Most recently, I upgraded to a Nikon D850 because I wanted a full-frame backup camera. I also added a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens to my setup. Back when I photographed weddings, I would rent lenses as needed, but now that I primarily do portrait photography, I rely on just two: the 50mm f/1.8 and 24-70mm f/2.8.

There are so many incredible lenses out there, and I’ll probably add one or two more in the next few years, but my current gear works perfectly for my business.

Other Equipment I Use:

• MacBook Pro
• Nikon SB-800 Flash (I don’t use flash often, but I plan to upgrade soon!)
• SD Cards & SD Holder

As you can see, I keep it pretty simple—ha! But that’s what works for me.

If you have any questions about cameras or gear, let me know! I also offer photography classes, including private 1:1 and group sessions, if you’d like to learn more about using your camera.