Every photographer has their favorite accessories that make their lives a little easier while they shoot! I’m excited to share a couple of my favorite photography-related pieces of gear and accessories that I’ve started using over the last year that have been game changers for me. All of the gear/accessories are linked so you can view additional details, and possibly even purchase!
(*Note that the links contained in this blog post are affiliate links, which means that I would receive a small credit if you decide to purchase any of the products listed here from the links below!)
This piece of equipment (pictured in the photo below) has been the BIGGEST game changer for me in the last year. As someone who has dealt with back pain for my ENTIRE life and has two herniated discs and three bulging discs in my lower back, I will shout my love for the Spider Camera Holster from the rooftops!
This genius alternative camera strap sits on your hips (sort of like a belt), and allows you to hook your camera onto it (there’s a metal mechanism that attaches to your camera in order to make this possible!). No more neck or mid-back pain after shoots, because the weight sits on your hips and is distributed evenly for a better hands-free experience!
And, believe it or not, they also make a Dual Spider Holster, which allows you to hook TWO cameras onto your hips. This is the version that I use especially for wedding days when I like to have two cameras available for use! I love the convenience of having both of my cameras right on my hips!
If you have back pain and you are a photographer, you HAVE to check this holster out! It literally allows me to shoot 12 hour wedding days virtually PAIN FREE - a first for me in 7 years of being a wedding photographer!
Spider Holster Camera Hand Strap
If you like the idea of the Spider Holster, you may want to consider a hand strap - you know, to give you a little extra grip on your camera, since it won’t be hanging from a strap anymore!
The hand strap linked in the title above is actually made by the same company that created the Spider Holster, and while it’s one of the more expensive hand straps - I can tell you, from experience with many cheaper versions of camera hand straps, that it is WELL worth the money. This hand strap is designed to fit the shape of your hand perfectly - it doesn’t flap around like some others on the market. It stays in place, is easy to slip your hand into for quick use, and is made of a durable leather material.
Photo courtesy of Amazon.com
By now, you know how obsessed I am with the Spider Holster, so of course you know I’m going to recommend some additional accessories to go with it!
The spider holster has space for additional accessories on the belt area - and the one linked above (Peak Design Field Pouch) is my favorite! (See photo to the right for how it looks on the belt!).
It is similar to a fanny pack, and is great for holding things like extra batteries, wedding day timelines, your phone, extra memory cards, etc.! It really fits a LOT of items, and is great for carrying around extra things you might need on a shoot! It is designed for use with the Spider Holster, so it has holes on the back and can easily be looped onto the Spider Holster. It uses velcro for securing the opening flap, and has zippered pockets to keep your cards safe from falling out, if it accidentally opens (mine rarely does!). This pouch is a great addition to your Spider Holster belt!
Photo courtesy of Amazon.com
Praise the Lord for sturdy card holders that give peace of mind on wedding days! I am ALWAYS terrified that something will happen to my memory cards once I fill them up and put them away on a wedding day, so this past year, I upgraded to something more durable than I’ve ever used before: the Beeway CF Card Holder (it also can hold SD cards! Just save the little plastic container the SD cards come in, and place your full SD cards in there, then put them in this card holder. They fit perfectly in the slots designed for CF cards! They also have ones made specifically for SD cards).
This card holder is waterproof, dust proof, and has the ability to protect cards, even if the case is run over by a car! It can also be attached to your bag easily. I have two of these and I absolutely LOVE them! I never have to worry about losing my cards or getting caught in the rain.
This is my favorite camera bag I think I’ve ever owned.
I am so picky when it comes to camera bags, because I like to carry a LOT of gear on me. This is the only bag I’ve found that is durable AND holds all of the equipment I want it to.
I can easily fit a camera body, 3 lenses, and a couple of speedlights, along with extra batteries, memory card holders, a water bottle - it really carries everything I need it to! I love that, if I have it on my shoulder at a wedding, I can easily access my gear, too.
Photo courtesy of Amazon.com
My favorite piece of gear EVER will always be solid reflector. It pops light in people’s faces and eyes, giving their skin a beautiful glow on sunny days AND overcast days, simply by holding it close to their face and bouncing the available light! This one is particularly a favorite of mine, because it has two handles on either side, which makes it easier for me to use when I don’t have an assistant to help me. If you are looking for a way to up your portrait game - a reflector is a GAME changer!
Also, the bigger the reflector, the more WIDE of a span the light reflects. A smaller reflector will result in a more focused, smaller light, and a larger reflector will result in a wider “throw” of light across your subject, with softer shadows (at least, I’ve found this to be the case in my experience!). I typically will not get any reflectors smaller than 43” because of this.
For more resources for photographers, check out the product links below, or be sure to follow along on the Jenna Hidinger Photography blog!
