What's In My Bag (Part 1): Cameras & Lenses

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive from fellow photographers (or those looking to get into photography) is “what’s in your bag?” I decided to finally write a series of blog posts detailing the current gear that I use because, when I was starting out, I knew how much it helped to know what gear those in the field found useful, because, let’s be honest – there is SO MUCH gear out there. How are you supposed to know what will work best for YOU and the type of photos you love to shoot?

So if you just so happen to be interested in the tools I use to create photos, you are in luck! First up in the "What's in my Bag" series are my favorite cameras and lenses!

(2) Canon 5D mark iii’s

Why two, you might ask? When photographing weddings, I like to make sure I have one fully functioning camera, and one back up (just in case!) - you never know what can happen, and I would hate to be left without a camera on the biggest day of someone's life!

(1) Canon 70-200 f/2.8 USM ii

This is most certainly one of my favorite lenses. I often use this lens for couples and families because of the compression (here is a great article about compression, for those of you who are interested!). I also love to hand this lens off to my second shooter to grab super tight close ups of couples and bridal parties while I am getting the main “safe” shot!

(2) Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4

This lens is by FAR my favorite lens for photographing seniors. I love the low aperture (more about that here!), which lets me create an almost dreamy-like backdrop! I also love using this lens for couples when I want to get super close up!

(2) Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4

These are my standard go-to lenses many a time for getting in large backdrops (buildings, church ceremonies, etc.), as well as for tight spaces, like getting ready photos for wedding days in small hotel rooms! I also love using my 35mm for detail photos (wedding invitations, usually!) on wedding days!

(1) Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro

In my bag, this lens really has one sole purpose: the ring shot! For wedding days and engagement sessions, I always love to have my 100mm on me to ensure I can get an epic ring shot! I also love having this lens, because it has a similar compression style to the Canon 70-200, so it can act as a backup if need be for that specific lens!

Jenn + Larry: North Shore Engagement Photographer

Jenn and Larry had an absolutely gorgeous morning for their engagement session on the North Shore. This lovely couple did a fantastic job in front of the camera, and even brought along a couple of pumpkins as props for their "save the dates!" (Props to Larry for painting on the words/numbers!) We can't wait for your spring wedding, Jenn + Larry!

Becky + Joe: Mellon Park Engagement Photography

I have been so excited to share this session! Everything about this evening was perfect. Awesome location, beautiful light, and fellow Chipotle addicts (did I ever mention that our rehearsal dinner was catered by Chipotle?) make this night a memorable one. We loved photographing you two, Becky and Joe! Congratulations again!

Sarah + Steven: Shady Elms Farm Wedding Photography

How we loved this wedding and these people! Sarah and Steven's beautiful blush wedding took place at Shady Elms Farm (one of my favorite venues!) on a sunny August afternoon. While Nick (who is now my second shooter and husband) took photos of the guys getting ready at a nearby hotel, I had the privilege of documenting the gorgeous bride with her girls at the farm. Before getting into their wedding attire, the girls sat down for a picturesque lunch in their floral robes (adorable, right?) ...And the rest of the day is history. We felt so honored to be a part of this wedding. Thank you to Sarah, Steven, and all of their friends and family who made us feel so welcome!

Fun fact: the groom's name is Steven Nicholas (first and last names), and my new husband's name is Nicholas Steven (first and middle names). Crazy, right?! And now, on to the main event:

Mother and daughter then, mother and daughter now.

Praying before the ceremony.

Vendors:

Venue: Shady Elms Farm

Officiant: Jamie Kendrew

Hair: Phoenix 5000

Make-up: Vivace

DJ: Royal Grandeur

Florist: Shady Elms Farm

Caterer: PW Catering

Cake: Bethel Bakery

Ceremony musician: Rochelle Agnew

Brooke M: Brush Creek Park Senior Photography (Cranberry Township Photographer)

Brooke tagged along for Nicole H.'s senior session earlier this summer and decided that she wanted us to take her senior photos, too! We met with Brooke on a gorgeous morning at Brush Creek Park - how gorgeous is this girl?! Good luck on the start of your senior year, Brooke!

Best Friends: Callie + Jenna in Downtown Pittsburgh

Callie and Jenna are two high school best friends who will be attending colleges in the fall hundreds of miles away from each other. What better way to commemorate a best friendship than with a photo session? :) Even though the rain didn't want to cooperate during the end of our first shoot (prohibiting us from getting photos on the Roberto Clemente bridge), we rescheduled and took some extra photos on a gorgeous (and humid!) summer morning. I am so lucky to have been able to photograph this friendship! Best of luck to you both, Callie and Jenna!

Jess + Micah: Heinz Chapel Wedding Photography

Wonderful couple, classic Pittsburgh wedding style, and gorgeous shoes... what more could a photographer ask for?! We had a great time hanging out with Jess and Micah on their wedding day! Their ceremony took place at the always stunning Heinz Chapel in Oakland, where her biological and adoptive fathers walked her down the aisle, followed by a reception at the Double Tree in Monroeville. Between the ceremony and reception, we had time for photos at the Cathedral of Learning and the Mellon Institute... as well as the Roberto Clemente bridge downtown! It was a bit of a miracle we were able to shoot on the bridge, considering there was a Taylor Swift concert and Three Rivers Arts Festival going on that night, simultaneously. There was no parking available, so we hopped out of our cars and took a few shots while my second photographer and members of the bridal party drove around Pittsburgh waiting for us. Talk about being blessed by working with fantastic people!

Congratulations, Jess and Micah! Thank you for giving us the honor of photographing your beautiful day!

Vendors:

Ceremony Venue: Heinz Chapel

Reception Venue: Double Tree in Monroeville

Florist: Carrie Anne Powell Floral Design

DJ: Scot Carslaw

Cake: Prantl's Bakery

Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Second Shooter: Sara Dinwiddie

Nicole H: North Park Senior Photography

Nicole was an absolute blast to photograph! I've known this pretty lady since she was in seventh grade... and now she's a graduating senior! Time flies. Congratulations on your last year of school, Nicole!

Emma C: Hartwood Acres Senior Photography

Emma is graduating this spring from Seneca Valley - isn't she stunning? We had such a great time taking some shots of her at Hartwood Acres Mansion! Congratulations on your last year, Emma!

Gabrielle + Josh | Point State Park

Gabrielle and Josh's anniversary session took place on a windy (yet surprisingly warm) day in Point State Park. Being that Gabrielle is one of my long time photography mentors and friends, I was honored when she asked me to take some portraits of her and her husband. It's always a huge compliment when another photographer likes your work enough to hire you!