2024 Narrative International Photography Awards
Stories
What’s In My Kit: Sophie Sahara’s Essential Gear
By Sophie Sahara
Perfecting the photography kit is an art. It’s a delicate balance between being prepared for any situation and keeping your gear manageable. After all, you’re often carrying everything yourself (unless you have the privilege of assistants!). Let’s be real — traveling light is usually the way to go for your go-to kit.
I break down my ideal kit into two categories: camera gear and non-photography essentials.
Camera Gear
Primary and Backup Cameras
My current camera essentials are my primary body, the Canon R5, and the Canon R6 as a backup. I’ll be honest, the R5 can be temperamental and fussy—I’ve experienced a price to pay for shooting mirrorless. My old Canon Mark IV was a workhorse that never overheated or glitched the way my R5 does. However, I find the mirrorless system worlds above DSLRs in its ability to track focus, so I persist with it.
The Canon 28-70mm f/2.0 is a beast that’s worthwhile lugging around. Image:
The-Digital-Picture.com Review
Lenses
My go-to lens is the Canon 28-70mm f/2.0, aka “the BEAST.” And she is a beast! The lens is heavy and gets intense stares wherever I go, but the images it captures are stunning. It is versatile for almost all circumstances, especially at events. Other lenses in my kit are the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8, Canon Macro 100mm f/2.8, and Canon 16mm and 24mm lenses, though they don’t get nearly as much use as my 28-70mm.
Strobe Flashes
When it comes to lighting, I’m a Profoto girl. I know, dupes exist at a fraction of the price, but Profoto’s rock-solid reliability–especially in terms of connectivity–makes it worth saving up for. I never have issues connecting my triggers or lights not firing like I have experienced with other brands.
I have a Profoto A10, A2, and a set of B10+ lights for studio work in my flash kit. I love them and highly recommend trying them. I suggest renting gear before buying because the experience of using it is essential in knowing how it fits within your style. In my personal experience, I don't find brand-name modifiers significantly different from their off-brand counterparts, provided they fit your mounting system. To me, an umbrella is an umbrella, but to each their own!
Other Essentials
• Memory Cards: I label mine, carry a minimum of 3-4 at any time, and swap them out every few years.
• Batteries: Like my memory cards, I label and carry a minimum of three for both my cameras and flashes. I prefer to travel with extra fully charged batteries rather than relying on chargers during shoots.
Non-Photography Essentials
This is the fun stuff.
Setting the scene with music is essential. Image: Wired’s Best Bluetooth Speakers, July 2024
Music
Traveling with a portable speaker is key. Nothing uplifts a mood like having music on in the background! I can’t tell you how many events I’ve arrived at and found the atmosphere lacking because my clients are sitting awkwardly in silence. I crank up a Mood Booster playlist on Spotify, and it instantly puts everyone at ease, making it easier to capture more lively, positive images.
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AirTags
Security is non-negotiable, so I hide an AirTag in a secret compartment of my camera cases and bags. Thankfully, I’ve never had to use it, but the peace of mind it gives me is priceless. On that note, I never leave my gear unattended in a car under any circumstances! I’ve heard too many horror stories of equipment getting swiped from a trunk. Not on our watch!
Snacks and Water
Happy clients are well-fed and hydrated clients. And happy clients equal good results! I always keep snacks and water on hand to keep everyone energized and in good spirits.
My go-to wrist strap from Peak Design ensures comfort and security. Image: Peak Design
Camera Strap
I personally LOVE a wrist strap! Switching to carrying the camera’s weight in my arm instead of my neck and shoulders makes such a difference. I love mine from Peak Design: the wrist strap tightens if you accidentally drop your camera, so it doesn’t come off.
Bags
My "Go Bag" is always ready to grab and go. Knowing I can grab a bag with all my essentials gives me peace of mind that I'm not forgetting anything important like SD cards or batteries. I choose to use a bag that doesn't look like a typical camera bag for safety reasons, but dealer's choice!
Here are a few of my favorite bags:
● Brinn Bag: Creative and chic utility backpacks, 100% vegan and made with recycled materials.
● Pelican: Light, durable, and carry-on size. Perfect for protecting your equipment during flights.
● Kamrette: Compact and customizable, great for small casual shoots.
● Augustnoa: Not technically a camera bag, but an excellent tote for a laptop and everything else.
I keep any of my "special gear" that isn't for everyday use—like lenses, filters, prisms, clamps, and film cameras—separately and add to my kit as needed.
And there you have it! That’s what you’ll find in my everyday kit. What’s in yours?
Sophie Sahara is a South African photographer based in Toronto and New York. She specializes in fashion, beauty, product, and lifestyle imagery and motion. After completing her Bachelor of Arts Honors in Drama at Queen's University in Kingston, Canada, she graduated with her Masters in Fine Arts Photography at Parsons School of Design in New York. Her clients include 818 Tequila, Vogue, Samsung, Netflix, Theory, and Urban Outfitters, among others. Check out her work on Instagram and TikTok.
