My Current Photography Gear Lineup: What I Use and Why
- Kathryn Ann Waller
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
Last month, I shared best practices for spring cleaning, and I showed a glimpse at my collection of photography gear. It got me thinking about how much I’ve gathered since the many years of carrying only my Sony A7 and 35mm lens.
Which led to my next thought – My A7 and 35mm worked hard. They captured years of beautiful moments, landscapes, people, products and spaces. My photography gear today takes up a little more space. It’s been built slowly, with intention. And while there’s more of it, I don’t keep anything I don’t use. Every item in my bag earns its place.
If you’re considering investing in something new or aren’t sure what you need next, I’m sharing what I use and the equipment that has proven to support my work. But I’ll say it again — simple is good and simple gets the job done. None of these things are necessary to build a beautiful portfolio of work.
Main Camera Body
Sony A7IV
My main camera — I use it for about 90% of my work. I originally learned on Canon but switched to Sony a few years ago, and I haven’t looked back. The A7IV is reliable, lightweight, and versatile enough for everything from weddings to commercial shoots.
Secondary Body
Leica Q (with 28mm lens)
A newer addition to my gear lineup. I’m especially drawn to the color rendering on the Q — it has a look I prefer over the Q2. Compact, sharp, and stunning, it’s become a favorite for travel and lifestyle shoots.
Film Cameras
Contax T2 — My go-to for 35mm film. High quality point and shoot.
Leica Z2X - Another fun point and shoot camera.
Pentax 645N — A medium-format beast. It's more expensive, but so worth it. I just got this and have shot a few rolls which are being developed as we speak. I will do a whole post on this in the coming weeks.
Olympus OM-1 — Fun to experiment with, but I reach for the Contax and Pentax most often, especially in the wedding settings
Lenses
35mm 1.4 (Sony) – My favorite for weddings.
50mm 1.2 (Sony) – Stunning for portraits
24–70mm GM II – My go-to for commercial work
Lighting Gear
Profoto A10 – My main flash for weddings, especially on-the-go.
Profoto B10 – Powerful, off-camera flash for commercial shoots.
Accessories I Always Have On Me
SD Cards - Don’t order these from Amazon because they are usually fake there. Stick to camera stores like B&H.
Multiple camera bags depending on the job. Here are a few of my favorites!
Vault Pelican Case - Heavy Duty and fits as a carry on for plane travel
If you want to try out any of this gear before you buy, I recommend using Aperturent for any rental needs.
The bottom line — you don’t need multiple cameras, the newest accessories, every photography light on the market and varying lens sizes to be a successful photographer. You need your eye. Your instinct. Your point of view.
Your gear should support you, not overwhelm you.
The industry will always try to sell you more photography gear. But more isn’t always better. Better is knowing who you are behind the camera — and learning how to use what you’ve got to its full potential.
To other photographers out there, I want to hear from you! What camera gear has earned its place in your kit and proven to be worth the space and investment?
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