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

Photography is more than just pressing a button. It’s light, timing, emotion—and yes, tools. The gear I use plays a big role in how I tell your story. Whether I’m photographing a newborn in my studio, a family at sunset on the lake, or a wine bottle for a commercial client, I choose my tools with care to support a relaxed, natural experience and a beautiful final result.

Here’s a peek inside what I use—and why it matters to you.

📷 Cameras I Trust

I currently shoot with the Canon R6, a full-frame mirrorless camera that gives me beautiful image quality, even in tricky light. I also use the Canon R7, which helps me capture tighter detail when I need extra reach—like a toddler in motion or a wedding from across the aisle.

Having two camera bodies means I don’t have to switch lenses mid-session. It lets me stay present with you and ready for whatever moment unfolds.

🔍 Favorite Lenses

• Canon 50mm f/1.2 – This is my go-to for portraits. It creates that creamy background blur (bokeh) that brings all the focus to you and your connection.

• Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro – I use this lens for so much more than macro details. It’s my favorite for capturing newborn lashes, hands, and rings, but also for photographing wine bottles and branded product shots with clarity and precision. On my R7, it acts like a 160mm lens, giving beautiful compression and allowing me to work from a comfortable distance while capturing all the fine details.

  
  

Each lens I use has a purpose—to help frame your story in a way that feels soft, honest, and intentional, whether you’re a new parent or a local business.

💡 Lighting That Feels Like Magic

While I love natural light, I’ve also built a lighting setup that gives me complete control in any condition.

• I use a Godox V100 flash paired with a large softbox or a diffuser dome to create soft, even light. This is perfect for indoor family sessions, weddings, and low-light environments where harsh flash just won’t do.

• In my studio, I use a combination of constant light softboxes and a faux LED window to mimic the natural glow of daylight. This setup is especially helpful for newborns, branding work, and children who thrive in calm, consistent lighting.

Whether I’m working in your home, outdoors, or in the studio, my lighting tools help ensure you’re always captured in the most flattering and natural way possible. And because I bring both natural light know-how and professional lighting tools—including rain covers, bounce flash, and fast lenses—I’m ready to adapt to whatever conditions the day brings.

🎞 Editing Tools & Workflow

After your session, I edit on a 2024 MacBook Pro using Lightroom and Photoshop. Having a calibrated, high-performance setup helps me preserve detail, ensure accurate color, and deliver consistently beautiful images across every gallery. My editing style is true-to-color, soft, and timeless. I don’t rely on heavy filters or trendy presets—I believe in keeping skin tones clean, skies natural, and moments feeling real.

🖼 Studio Space & Styling

My studio features a white 8ft x 8ft backdrop that allows the focus to stay on connection. I also offer wardrobe pieces, floral styling (thanks to Bella Vita Flowers!), and occasional props depending on the theme.

Everything is designed to be low-stress and kid-friendly, with clean light and simple, thoughtful styling. It’s a calm space where you can settle in and just be yourselves.

🧡 Why This Matters

You don’t need to know anything about cameras, lenses, or lighting to book a session with me—but I want you to know that the tools I choose (and how I use them) are always in service of you.

They help me capture not just what you look like, but how your moments feel—whether that’s the stillness of a newborn yawn, the laughter of a sun-drenched toddler, or the fine details of a handcrafted product you’ve poured your heart into.

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