What’s in My Camera Bag (and Why It Matters)

The Tools Behind the Magic

Photography is more than just pressing a button. It’s light, timing, emotion—and yes, the right tools. As an Okanagan family and branding photographer, I carefully choose my gear, editing approach, and studio setup to ensure every session feels relaxed, natural, and results in timeless, beautiful images.

Whether I’m photographing a newborn in my Summerland studio, a family at sunset on the lake, or a handcrafted wine bottle for a commercial client, the equipment I use—and how I use it—plays a big role in how your story is told.

📷 Cameras I Trust

• Canon R6 – My full-frame mirrorless camera. It delivers stunning image quality even in tricky light, perfect for family sessions at golden hour or intimate newborn portraits indoors.

• Canon R7 – A crop-sensor body that gives me extra reach. On this camera, my 100mm becomes a 160mm, my 85mm feels like a 135mm, and my 50mm behaves like an 80mm. This flexibility lets me capture tighter details—like a toddler mid-run or a wedding from across the aisle—without needing to step closer.

  
  

✨ Using two camera bodies means I don’t waste time swapping lenses. I stay fully present with you and ready for whatever moment unfolds.

🔍 Lenses I Love

Each lens has a purpose—and together they give me the versatility to capture everything from wide storytelling moments to intimate details.

• Canon 35mm f/1.4 – My storytelling lens. Perfect for including the environment—whether it’s kids running through an orchard, families at the lake, or wide, cinematic shots on the wedding dance floor.

• Canon 50mm f/1.2 – My go-to portrait lens. It creates that dreamy, creamy background blur (bokeh) that makes your connection the star. On the R7, it behaves like an 80mm lens—beautiful for tighter portraits.

• Canon 85mm f/1.8 – Soft, flattering, and timeless. On the R7 it stretches to a 135mm, which I love for portraits with depth and for cinematic video work when paired with my gimbal.

• Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro – More than just a detail lens. It’s perfect for newborn lashes, hands, and rings, but also for commercial work like wine bottles and product photography. On the R7, it acts like a 160mm lens, giving gorgeous compression and crisp precision.

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✨ Why I love wide apertures (f/1.2–f/2.8): Shooting “wide open” allows me to layer softness and glow. It melts away distractions and creates that luminous, fine-art feel my clients love.

💡 Lighting That Feels Like Magic

I’m known for my natural-light look, but behind the scenes, I bring a full professional lighting setup so I can adapt to any situation.

• Godox V100 flash – Paired with a large softbox or diffuser dome, it creates soft, flattering light for family sessions, branding shoots, or weddings.

• Dance floors – I use flash creatively to capture energy, movement, and joy during receptions.

• Tight offices or homes – I bounce flash off walls and ceilings to keep light soft and natural in smaller spaces.

• Studio setup – Constant light softboxes and a faux LED window mimic daylight, perfect for newborns, branding sessions, and children who thrive with consistency.

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✨ Wherever I’m working—your home, outdoors, or my studio—you’ll always be photographed in the most flattering, authentic light possible.

🎞 Editing Workflow & Style

This is where the magic deepens. After your session, every image goes through a careful, multi-step process. I edit on a 2024 MacBook Pro using Lightroom and Photoshop, with a calibrated system that ensures accuracy and consistency across every gallery.

✨ My Editing Philosophy

I believe editing should enhance, not overwhelm. My goal is always to create photographs that are:

• True-to-color – Natural, accurate tones so your images feel timeless, not trendy.

• Soft yet detailed – Skin looks luminous and clean, but never overly retouched.

• Matte & painterly – I gently lift shadows for depth and softness, creating a fine-art finish.

• Consistent – Whether it’s a newborn, family, wedding, or branding session, your gallery flows seamlessly.

🌅 What This Means for You

• Skin tones – Always natural and flattering. You’ll look like you, just at your best.

• Nature tones – Okanagan greens, sunsets, and skies are edited with harmony—never neon or oversaturated.

• Glow & light play – Sunsets, lanterns, string lights, even falling snow—I lean into natural glow to add emotion. It’s become a signature of my style.

• Timelessness – No heavy filters. No gimmicks. Your photos will look just as beautiful ten years from now as they do today.

🖼 My Studio

Located in Summerland, my Little Joys Studio is designed for comfort and connection.

• White 8ft x 8ft backdrop for a clean, timeless look

• Wardrobe pieces and floral styling (thanks to Bella Vita Flowers)

• Occasional seasonal props and custom-built sets

• Kid-friendly, calm, and stress-free

It’s a welcoming space where families settle in and just be themselves, while I handle the light and styling.

🧡 Why This Matters

You don’t need to know anything about cameras or lighting to book a session with me—but I want you to feel confident knowing that every choice I make (from lens to edit to lighting setup) is intentional and in service of you.

My tools help me capture not just what you look like, but how your moments feel:

• The stillness of a newborn yawn

• The laughter of a sun-drenched toddler

• The sparkle of a wedding dance floor

• The fine detail of a handcrafted product you’ve poured your heart into

Every element of my process is designed to create timeless, heirloom-quality images you’ll treasure for years to come.

If you ever have questions about how I work, what to expect at your session, or why I’m using a particular setup—I’m always happy to share. I believe that beauty comes from collaboration, comfort, and trust.

With heart,

Deanna

Deanna Dunham Designs | Little Joys Studio