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What Camera Gear Do I Use? A Look Inside My Camera Bag
One of the most common questions photographers hear is, “What camera do you use?” The next question usually follows quickly: “What lenses are in your camera bag?” Today, I’m going to answer both by giving you a closer look at the camera gear I use and explaining why each piece plays an important role in my work.
In this article, I’ll walk you through my full setup and share how my camera gear supports me as an event and lifestyle photographer. Whether you’re just starting out or already have experience behind the camera, understanding how different tools serve different purposes can help you build a kit that works for your style of photography.
Before I begin, I want to make something clear. I genuinely love my Nikon cameras and lenses, but this is not an endorsement. They are simply the tools I trust to help me capture the images I see in my mind. That said, it’s important to remember that camera gear alone does not create great photographs. The person behind the camera makes the difference. You can own the most expensive equipment available, but without understanding composition, light, emotion, exposure, focus, and post-processing, your images will never reach their full potential.
At the same time, having the right camera gear can absolutely improve your results. The right tools give you flexibility, reliability, and creative freedom. There needs to be a balance. It’s not true that gear doesn’t matter at all, and it’s also not true that you need the latest and most expensive equipment to create strong images. The goal is to find equipment that supports your vision without distracting you from the craft itself.
Photography started as a hobby for me before I moved into forensic photography while serving in the US Army. Today, I work as an event and lifestyle photographer based in Tokyo, Japan. Most of my work takes place on location rather than in a studio, which means my camera gear needs to be reliable and adaptable. The job can be demanding, but it’s incredibly rewarding.
Because I don’t operate from a permanent studio space, I often shoot indoors, especially during the very hot summers in Japan. Indoor shooting requires careful control of light, so lighting has become a significant part of my overall camera gear setup. More often than not, I am shaping and controlling the light rather than relying on whatever is available.
To carry everything safely, I use a Think Tank Photo Airport Security roller. It keeps my camera gear organized and protected, especially when I’m moving between locations. For camera bodies, I rely on the Nikon D3S and the Nikon Z6 with an FTZ adapter. Both cameras have proven to be dependable in various lighting conditions, which is essential for events where moments happen quickly and unpredictably.
When it comes to lenses, I use what many photographers refer to as the Nikon “trinity”: the 14–24mm f/2.8, the 24–70mm f/2.8, and the 70–200mm f/2.8. This combination allows me to cover everything from wide environmental scenes to tight, emotional moments from a distance. For portrait work, I also use a 58mm f/1.4 and an 85mm f/1.4. These lenses create a beautiful depth of field and produce a look that works especially well for lifestyle and portrait photography.
Lighting has evolved significantly in my workflow over the years. I still own Nikon SB-800 and SB-900 flashes, but I rarely use them now. Back in 2018, I grew tired of charging large amounts of AA batteries before every shoot. I had spent years trying to make small speedlights behave like larger strobes, but I always preferred the quality and consistency of studio lighting. Eventually, I decided that if I truly wanted to improve my understanding of light, I needed to fully commit to studio strobes.
Today, I primarily use portable 400ws strobes with an 80cm softbox. This setup gives me more control, more power, and more consistent results. It has changed the way I approach indoor photography and has become a core part of my camera gear.
At the end of the day, camera gear should serve your creative vision. It should make your job easier, not more complicated. The best equipment is the equipment that allows you to focus on storytelling, emotion, and connection without worrying about technical limitations.
Your skills will always matter more than the gear you carry. But when your tools align with your style and needs, your camera gear becomes an extension of your creativity rather than just a collection of equipment in a bag.
