The
Tools of the Trade
My favorite software, computers, hard drives, memory cards, MagMod gear, cameras, lenses, and more.
Note: This page contains some affiliate links. This means that I may receive a commission if you click on the link and decide to purchase. I promise everything I write here is my own, honest opinion. I will never recommend anything I don’t love, trust, and use myself.
MY
FAVORITe
SOFTWARE
THE BEST AI CULLING AND EDITING SOFTWARE
AfterShoot has completely changed my life and I don’t say that lightly. It consistently culls and edits my photos with AI technology in just minutes. This is one of the few softwares that everyone must try at least once!
THE BEST CRM (CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER)
Your CRM is a critical part of running your business. I’ve tried all of the popular CRMs over the years and I’ve been with Sprout Studio the longest because it’s the only true all-in-one CRM for photographers.
THE BEST way to hire and get hired
ShootWithMe is the industry’s first all-in-one tool to find associate, second, and assistant photographers. I no longer post in a multitude of Facebook groups and spend time visiting tons of websites. I simply hop on SWM and let all of the available help populate in seconds so I can choose quickly!
2021 16″ MacBook Pro M1 Max w/ 10-Core GPU, 32-Core GPU, 64GB Memory, 4TB SSD
The MacBook Pro is the golden industry-standard laptop that just works. I switched to Apple laptops in 2016 and haven’t looked back since. They’re not cheap but you get what you pay for and I’ve enjoyed the speed and reliability.
Synology 12-Bay NAS DiskStation DS2419+
12 bays of backup in Synology’s system doesn’t come cheap but neither does losing files. This future proofs you for years and years to come with the amount of storage you can load it with.
ProGrade Dual-Slot Memory card Reader
Importing your cards can be a slow process but not with this reader. I was hesitant to spend so much on a card reader but it truly has cut my importing process times in more than half!
27″ LG Ultrafine 5k Display Monitor
LG worked with Apple to create this monitor so it pairs perfectly with all Apple products. The colors and resolution are incredible and it features four USB-C ports for fast connectivity to all of your accessories.
Western Digital 12TB External Hard Drive
The hard drive on my laptop is my main working drive while this is one piece of my backup system. They’re extremely affordable so I buy a new one every year to back up all of my files to. Peace of mind for less than $200 per year? Well worth it!
Sony 128GB 300MB/S SD Card
These cards aren’t cheap but they’re incredible. If you have a UHS-II memory card slot in your camera, this card will take advantage of that and you’ll never have to worry about your buffer filling up and missing a key moment.
2021 12.9″ Apple ipad Pro
The iPad Pro is lightning fast with a gorgeous screen and it can be used for a multitude of different purposes. I use it as an additional screen, to read books, check email, and so much more.
SanDisk 2tb Extreme Pro External SSD
With read and write speeds of 1GB/sec, it’s the fastest external SSD on the market and is worth every penny. You’re able to store months of work on one hard drive that fits in the palm of your hand and doesn’t require an external power source.
SanDisk 256GB 170MB/S SD CARD
I love keeping one memory card in the backup slot of both of my cameras and not touching it all day for a wedding. It ensures that if my main card fails, I still have everything from the entire day on this card.
MagGrip 2
If you want to use any MagMod product, you’re going to need a MagGrip (or two or three). The entire MagMod product system revolves around the MagGrip so make sure you have plenty of them.
MagSphere 2
The MagSphere is the smallest and fastest (yet fairly effective) light diffuser you’ve ever used. Whether you use it on or off camera, you’ll notice a difference in your photos.
MAGGrid 2
The MagGrid is probably my favorite and most used MagMod product. Grids help control your light from spilling in unwanted places and that’s a critical part of my work.
Pro Correction Gels
Are you looking to color balance a scene? Are you looking to get a little more creative with your white balance? The pro correction MagGels are the best way to start out with gels!
Pro Creative Gels
Are you looking to get creative with more colors and really add some colorful punch to your work? The creative MagGels are what you need!
Pro Artistic Gels
Have you tried the creative gels and are looking for a little more variety? Give the pro artistic gels a shot!
MagBox Pro 24 Octa
The newly redesigned softbox is built for speed and great lighting. I use this on every single shoot because it’s portable and fast to use. The zip-on diffuser is a really nice upgrade to an already great product!
MagBox Pro 42 Octa
Do you do in-studio work? If so, this is the softbox everyone has been waiting for from MagMod! It’s large and in charge but also packs up and sets up with speed.
MagBox Pro 36 Strip
Do you do headshots, portraits, or commercial work? The strip is likely the perfect softbox to help light something on the job while having incredible fill and control.
Magshoe 2
The best cold shoe bracket that you’ll ever use! You can rotate it all the way forwards or backwards in order to get the perfect angle for your light.
Magring 2
Ever wish that you could put you and your second photographer’s flashes side by side and still be able to use your MagMod products? Your wish has come true!
Starter Flash Kit 2
If you’re looking to get into flash and/or MagMod, this is the best basic starting kit that I would recommend. Buy two of these and you have everything you need to shape light with speed on a wedding day!
Professional Flash Kit 2
If you’re looking to truly dive into everything flash and/or MagMod, you’ll want to skip the starter kit and go for this instead. It includes the bounce (the best white bounce card you’ve ever experienced) and gels (to creatively add color) which will elevate your work to an entirely different level.
Wedding Pro Bundle
If you’re a wedding photographer that is just getting into MagMod and wanting to go all in, this is the bundle for you! It’s designed to give you everything you need for two flashes.
Weekend Warrior Bundle
Are you a wedding photographer that just needs the basics to get you going with MagMod? This is a no-brainer bundle for you as it comes with two grips, grids, spheres, and sets of gels.
Sony A9
This is the camera that made me jump over from DSLR to mirrorless. Its auto-focus is out of this world and the silent shutter allows me to capture moments without anyone even noticing me.
Sony 16-35 f/2.8
Want to get those in-the-action dance floor shots? How about super-wide epic photos that show off the scenery of a location? The 16-35 is my go-to choice for a good chunk of the wedding day because of its versatility!
Sony 90 f/2.8 Macro
My macro is what I use on all wedding days to get detail shots. This is how you get those nice close-up shots of rings. It can also be an amazing portrait lens too!
Sony Zeiss 35 f/1.4
The 35mm is a workhorse. It barely leaves my camera because of its versatility. This is the perfect all-around lens for any photographer.
Sony 70-200 f/2.8
What’s not to love about a 70-200? From family formals, ceremony close-ups, to beautifully compressed background portraits, this lens is perfect for any wedding photographer.
Sony 85 f/1.4
The 85mm is my go-to for portraits. It’s perfect for creamy backgrounds and close-up shots of your subjects.
Sony 135 f/1.8
The 135mm is an outstanding lens for portraits. It gives you buttery smooth backgrounds and allows you to get close shots of your couple without getting in their face.
Godox V860III
The most well-rounded flash you’ll ever need. It can even do high-speed sync and be triggered wirelessly. It’s been my workhorse for the past five years and I know you’ll love it too!
Godox Ad200
This is the flash that changed the game for me. It’s like having three speed lights in one. It even has rechargeable batteries that will easily last a full wedding (or two)!
Godox M1 Video Light
I’ve never been a big fan of video lights but this little guy changed my mind. It’s insanely small, powerful, and lasts forever. It literally fits in your pocket and can be recharged via USB-C. I really can’t recommend this enough as I’m sure you’ll find a way to incorporate it into your workflow once you use it for the first time!
Photoflex Boom Arm
This boom arm is a tank and an important part of my workflow as my assistant is almost always holding it. It extends to 10′ and is crucial in getting the perfect lighting angle.
Manfrotto 1004BAC Light Stand
I was a fan of and used the auto-collapsing light stands for years but they wear out quickly and just aren’t as robust as this Manfrotto. I’ve been very happy with the switch and can already think of multiple times lately where having this stand has saved me a lot of hassle over previous light stands I’ve used.
Manfrotto Nano Stand
This is the perfect portable light stand that I didn’t know I needed until I tried it. It’s perfect for solo shooters or just using as a backlight stand. It can fit in the smallest spaces and folds up to be smaller than any light stand you’ve ever seen before.
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