Fashion photographer – What’s in my camera bag

Hello everyone,
Welcome on my photography blog! My name is Dariane Sanche, I’m a professional photographer from Canada specializing in Fashion and beauty photography. I’m currently based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In this blog, I will talk to you about what gear I have in my camera bag.

Although I have traveled in different countries for work (United-states, Mexico, Cuba, France, Canada). I shoot a lot in studio with models for test shoots, editorial photoshoot, commercial photoshoot, and look books for clothing and beauty brands.

When I started photography:

When I started photography at sixteen years old, I learned to work with what I had (basic gear). At nine years old I was already using photoshop. I decided to focus more on the concept and theme of my photoshoot than the technical aspect because I was able to step up my picture on photoshop.

I barely start my career by taking in picture my friends and family, the friends of my friends and the friends of the friends of my friends haha.

My first camera:

My first camera was a Canon t1i (15,2 megapixels) which was really not bad at the moment. It was my father camera!

A few years later, I upgraded to Canon 5D mark ii because my t1i was getting old, and because I needed better quality image to improve my work.

I worked with artificial light when I started photography. My father, who was a graphic designer and an adept of photography, had an old lights setup that I used. It was continuous light (not flash strobe). At that time, I convert my Bedroom at my parents house into a tiny home studio.

My first studio lighting system as a photographer:

Several years later, for my birthday my family offer me my very first real studio flash kit. It was Elinchrom D-lite 4it and I had two head flash (400watts each) + two square 60cmx60cm softbox. The equivalent today is the D-lite RX4/4.

I worked with this minimal gear for more then 6 years, and it was really good for me. By the time, I added octabox and beauty dish to this kit. In my opinion, I don’t think you need to have the best equipment or all the possible modifier on the market to create outstanding picture. I think you should focus to push your limit with what you already have and learn how they work. By being creative you will improve your photography technique and your concept to a next level! You will discover that I like to do different from other photographer, and not to follow the traditional path. Lot of photographer tell me that I should do this or that because that what photographer do or want. I’m not like other and I always wanted to follow my way!

Take a look into my camera bag, you will be surprised at how simple my set up is. A lot of people ask me « what is my gear, what I use and what I prefer? » What is in my camera bag depends where I shoot (the location). Also, what I use on regular base and what is required by the client. The majority of the time I travel with a Lowepro FASTPACK BP 250 AW II with my camera body, three lenses and laptop.

My actual photography gear, camera & lenses:

Camera:

Canon 5D Mark IV –  The image quality of the Canon 5D Mark IV is just amazing! It’s work well in studio and on editorial outside the studio with natural light and in low light condition. I love to shoot in continuous light, and in low light with the dual pixel, the image quality is still amazing, even at high iso.

Prime lens:

Canon EF 50mm f1.4– This is my first prime lens. I bought this lens when I started photography, because of it versatility for my style of photography. This is my go to lens even for portrait. It was a great investment, because I’m still using it, and it’s work pretty well.
Canon EF 35mm f1.4 – I really love the canon 35mm f1.4 when I shoot editorial on location. I love the wide effect and cinematic style of the picture. I use it when I want a lot of background in the picture.

Canon EF 100mm macro f2.8 – The canon EF 100mm f2.8 is my go to lens when I shoot beauty and close-up! It’s such a sharp lens, the quality is amazing! It’s a perfect lens when I want focus on a specific place and for example capture every details of the makeup and cosmetic, skin details, eyes details. I can step back from the model and shoot amazing portrait with impressive bokeh, without the distortion of my 50mm.

Zoom Lens:

Canon EF 70-300mm – It’s an old lens that my father gave me. It’s not sharp like the 70-200 f2.8, but I think or I want to think that it’s create like a vintage look the picture. Sometime it’s look cool. In general, I dont use zoom as often as my other lenses. Eventually, I will upgrade to a 70-200mm f2.8. When I told you that you not always need the best gear, you can see that I’m still using old lens, and it’s work great. The focus is just a bit slow!

Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 USM III (Update from this blog) This year in 2020, I finally purchased this new lens 70-200mm f2.8. Before having this amazing 70-200mm lens, I didn’t use my old zoom that much. It was slow to focus, and I didn’t find it practical during photoshoot, especially when the models move quickly. The 70-200mm f2.8 usm III is super fast to focus, the lens is bright, and allows me to create a magnificent bokeh. Now, I use this lens on almost all of my photoshoots. It allows me to take beautiful portraits as well as full-length photos. I find that this lens is perfect for the fashion, portrait, beauty, and editorial photographer.

Studio light and accessories:

Broncolor Siros 800 S Expert 2-Light Kit – The Broncolor Siros 800s expert kit is super easy to carry because of the wheeled bag and fast to setup. The best function so far is the Broncolor App (for Iphone, Ipad and/or Laptop)! I can control my flash by the app, so even if they are jacked up at 12 feet high it super easy to adjust the light. I also like the power they offer, and how I can go low in the power and shoot wide open to have beautiful bokeh.

Cellphone:

Iphone 8 – I’m not the one who need the last phone on the market, but a reliable and functional cell phone is justified. I can connect my phone to my flash and control the light, I can have access to moodboard, create content and story while on set for my followers on Instagram and facebook (when it is possible).

External hard drive:

Lacie Rugged Drive  – The Lacie rugged drive is a great choice for traveller photographer! It’s durable and well made and protected. I always carry at least 2 external drive so I can immediately back up in one and create a copy in the other one (I’m never to safe).

Accessory:

Crystals / Prisms – People who know me, knows how I love to shoot with prisms!! I have a little bag that I can carry 3-4 different prisms. Put it in front of the my lens, it create amazing picture and unique looks. I will probably do a blog just about Crystals/Prisms.

Graphic tablet:

Wacom Intuos pro Medium – For several years I use the apple magic mouse to retouch my pictures. In 2018, I started to use a tablet. The reason I switch it’s because I was looking for a more fluid technique to edit my pictures. With the Wacom it almost like I’m painting. It’s really intuitive and user-friendly. The Wacom Intuos pro Medium is a good size to travel with and work perfectly on a 13″ inch macbook pro. When I am at the studio, I work on a 27 inch screen and the medium size is perfect for the size of my screen.