The Art Behind the Lens:  Week 1 - What’s in My Camera Bag – and Why I Chose It!

As a child photographer serving Cranberry Township, Mars, and the greater Pittsburgh area, my gear has to do more than just take a technically correct photo—it has to keep up with giggles, sudden dashes through tall grass, and quiet, tender moments that disappear in the blink of an eye. Whether I’m capturing fine art portraits or playful outdoor sessions, I need equipment that helps me stay present and creative.

Over the years, I’ve carefully selected what I carry with me to ensure I’m ready for anything.  If you're a photographer looking for gear tips or a parent curious about what goes into creating timeless children’s portraits, this post is for you.

🎒 My Camera of Choice

I use Sony mirrorless cameras, specifically the Sony A7R V, and I’ve never looked back. I also recommend the Sony A7R IV, which is another excellent option for photographers starting out or upgrading their gear. 

Why Sony? Three words: Eye Auto Focus. When you’re photographing young children—especially energetic toddlers who love to run—the ability to lock focus on the eyes without hesitation is essential. For photographers, this means more keepers. For parents, it means more real, emotional moments captured beautifully and crisply.

If you’re a parent wondering what makes my work different from a casual snapshot, part of the answer lies in the tools I use. My gear allows me to focus entirely on your child’s personality and story.  And for fellow photographers, this is one of the key reasons I recommend investing in a system that supports fast, accurate subject tracking—especially when working with little ones.

Whether I’m photographing a Fairy session in Mars, PA, a child's portrait in Cranberry Township, or a family session in Butler County, this camera helps me stay ready for anything.

📷 Favorite Lenses for Capturing Children’s Portraits

When it comes to photographing children, the right lens can make all the difference. Every child and every session tells a different story, so I rely on a few high-quality, fast lenses that allow me to adapt beautifully to each moment.

💛 Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II

This is my go-to lens for portraits of younger children—especially when I need to stay close enough to interact with them while still achieving that soft, dreamy background. Its sharpness and shallow depth of field are perfect for highlighting expressive faces and capturing those fleeting storytelling moments.

What I love: I can be near little ones to keep them engaged, while still getting that creamy, blurred background by shooting wide open at f/2.0 (or even wider). The result is intimate and magical—without losing connection.

What to consider: Because this is a prime lens, if you want both full-length and close-up shots, you’ll need to physically move. That’s not always easy when working with energetic toddlers who don’t stay still for long!

🌾 Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master

This is my favorite prime lens—it delivers pure magic for outdoor portraits when I have a helper on hand or the child is a bit older and more independent. The compression is stunning—it creates that painterly, fine art look I adore, with a buttery background that makes the subject truly pop.

What I love: The 135 gives me that jaw-dropping bokeh and razor-sharp focus that instantly elevates an image. It’s ideal for creating timeless portraits that feel like they belong in a storybook. This lens is perfect for teens and high school seniors.

What to consider: Because of the longer focal length, I need more distance between me and the child. If I’m limited in how far I can back up, I may not be able to achieve the look I’m aiming for. That’s why this lens shines most when I have space to move—and a little extra help wrangling the kids.

🌀 My New Favorite: Sony 50–150mm f/2.0 G Master

This is the lens I didn’t know I was waiting for! With a constant f/2.0 aperture and a beautifully versatile zoom range, it’s quickly becoming my go-to—especially for storytelling children’s portraits.

What I Love:
I can capture a candid close-up with a dreamy, buttery background and a scenic, storybook-style wide image—all without having to move. It gives me the flexibility of a zoom lens but feels just like shooting with a prime.

What to Consider:
This lens comes with a serious price tag. It’s an investment—one you’ll want to think through based on how often you shoot and what you photograph. For me, it's absolutely worth it.

📸 It’s Not Just About the Gear

Having great equipment definitely helps, but it’s only part of the story. Even with the most expensive camera in your hands, beautiful portraits don’t just happen. You need to truly understand your camera, how to use light, how to compose a scene, how to guide children gently into natural moments—and then, of course, there’s editing. Everything I’ve shared in past blog posts, from storytelling to wardrobe to location, all plays a role. The gear supports the vision, but it’s the heart, the experience, and the creative process behind it that brings the final image to life.

Continue the Fine Art Photography Journey

Curious to see more behind the scenes of how I capture childhood magic? Explore the full series:

• Week 1: What's in my Camera Bag for Children's Portraits

• Week 2: How I Edit Raw Files into Fine Art

• Week 3: Expenses Behind a Photography Business

• Week 4: How I Learned to Create Fine Art Portraits (And Why I’m Still Learning Every Day)

• At the end of the day, the “real cost” of photography isn’t about numbers—it’s about value. Every dollar invested in education, equipment, and creative tools ensures that when you hang your child’s portrait on the wall, you’re looking at artwork that will outlast trends and hold meaning for generations.

  Because fine art photography isn’t just a picture. It’s a legacy.

• Begin your child’s portrait story today, explore our Fine Art Children’s Gallery, or call 724-504-8711 to plan a custom session.