The Things I Carry: Stories Behind My Favorite Photography Gear

There’s something sacred about the gear we carry. Not just because of what it does - but because of where it’s been, and who we were when we packed it for the first time.

Every piece in my photography bag has a story. Some are technical, sure. But most? Most are deeply personal. This isn’t just a list of lenses and reflectors - it’s a timeline. A quiet record of how I got here.

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III. This lens was an act of love. I financed it when I bought my first DSLR, because I needed to capture my son’s games. I wanted to freeze every tackle, every play, every basket. I didn’t have the money to splurge - but I had the motivation. And that motivation came in cleats and a uniform. Now, it’s still with me - clicking away as other people’s kids round bases or catch pop flies. It’s not just a lens; it’s my trusted sidekick, aging right alongside me, still showing up for the shot.

5-in-1 Collapsible Reflector. It’s the cheapest thing in my kit - but honestly, one of the smartest purchases I’ve ever made. It folds up small but makes a huge difference. It’s taught me that lighting is everything - on the face, in the frame, and maybe even metaphorically. (Good light really does change everything.)

Canon EOS 90D. This camera was a gift from my dad - a gesture during a dark season, when anxiety and depression were heavy and photography was one of the few things that helped me feel like me. He knew that. So he showed his love the way he always has: by paying attention to what I love. This camera feels like more than just a tool - it’s a symbol of support, of knowing, of healing.

EFS 18-55mm Lens. The starter lens. Basic, standard, always ready. It came with the camera my dad gifted me and has captured some of my most accidental favorite shots. It’s the lens I reached for when I didn’t have the energy to overthink the shot - and those ended up being some of the most honest frames I’ve ever taken.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM. Portrait magic. I treated myself to this one after a work bonus - a rare, personal moment of pride. Most of the time, I put my money toward others. But this time? I chose me. I wanted to grow in portrait work, and this lens became both a reward and a promise to myself.

Canon EF Lens 50mm. Simple, classic, and quietly stunning. I bought it after just enough research to feel responsible - and then followed a gut instinct. I wanted a portrait lens that offered something just a little different than what I had. One click later, and boom - a new member joined the camera bag family. No regrets. Just sharp, dreamy portraits ever since.

Distressed Brown Faux Leather Backpack. It’s scuffed, it’s soft, it smells like adventure and sunrises. I bought it after another work bonus - not out of vanity, but as a reminder that I was doing something right. That I was investing in a version of myself who was finally starting to believe she deserved good things. It’s held my gear through fog, wind, heat, and joy. It’s always ready, just like me.

These things I carry? They’re more than gear. They’re artifacts of a journey - my journey. They’ve seen the world through my eyes. They’ve helped me slow down, pay attention, and frame the beautiful mess of life.

And that, to me, is the real story behind the lens.