I get quite a few emails asking about the equipment that I use- from the lenses I choose for weddings to the software I use to process images and everything in between!  I thought that I might share all of that info with all of you and I can update it as I update my approach!

First, my bag:

The Kelly Moore Hobo Bag- this is my purse, and it is also the bag that I use for portrait sessions (more on that later).  It is one of the best camera bags that I have ever used- it is solidly constructed, has beautiful attention to detail, and comes in so many cute colors!  My D700 (my walkaround camera) LIVES in this bag, as does my iPad, my ZaggMate (keyboard for my iPad), various cords, a lens, and my wallet.  I have owned many, many bags, but none that I have loved as much as this one.   The Hobo bag zips up tight and looks nothing like a camera bag- I can’t say enough good things about it.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my belt, the incredibly awesome Spider Holster which I now use instead of straps- my back has never felt better!  (I do use other bags on the wedding day- my current fave is the smaller Built neoprene bag with four slots for lenses.  It zips up and is super-light.)

My cameras:

I have several cameras that I use for various things, but the cameras that I use the most are listed below:

Nikon D3s

Nikon D3

Nikon D700 (serves as a backup AND my walkaround personal camera)

My lenses:

My two most used lenses are the 85 and the 24, with the 35 coming in a close third.  I do have lenses other than those listed below (zooms, including the 70-200 and the 28-70) that I have my second shooter use most of the time- as you can see, I love my primes and use them almost exclusively.  The only zoom that ever sneaks in there is the 14-24, which I like to use for fireworks.

Nikon 85 f/1.4G

Nikon 24 f/1.4G

Nikon 50 f/1.4G

Nikon 35 f/2

Nikon 60 (macro)

Nikon 180 f/2.8

Nikon fisheye

Nikon 14-24 f/2.8

I usually bring most of the lenses listed above to weddings, but most of the time I alternate between the 85 1.4 and the 35 2 during portrait sessions.

My labs: (Sorry guys- pros only!)

ProDPI is my lab for photographic prints and press printed products.  I LOVE their customer service and their prints!

Gamut Prints is my go-to spot for fine art prints.  Joe’s work is absolutely out of this world!

Simply Color Lab is where I get all of my canvas work done.

My software:

Album Design- Fundy Album Builder.  The ONLY album software I have ever truly loved.    Try it, and you will absolutely LOVE it.  No silly templates here; rather, it’s a tool to help you build custom pages quickly and easily within Photoshop.

RAW Processing- Adobe Lightroom.  I’ve been with Lightroom since the first beta, and I couldn’t live without it.

Image Finesse- Photoshop CS5.  And yes, CS5 is SO much faster than the earlier versions.

Other tools:

RPG keys- This is a must-have tool for any photographer that is processing through hundreds of files in Lightroom and Photoshop.  I’ve been with both programs for years and this tool completely changed my workflow and gave me my life back!  Tim and Chris also have some fabulous tutorials on Lightroom as well!

Apple iPad and iPhone- I travel a ton, so these are essential for me when it comes to keeping in touch with my clients and vendors.  I use the ZaggMate as a case and bluetooth keyboard for my iPad.

My Macs- I’m a Mac Girl all the way.  We currently have five macs that are used on a daily basis in our house (and a few that have been put out to pasture that still live with us).

Also, I have several Nikon flashes and Yongnuo Wireless flash triggers. 

Questions?  Fire away.    And because no post is complete without an image (and to get you excited for the Dominican Republic wedding album that I will be posting in the next few days), here is one of my faves from David and Karina’s wedding in the Dominican Republic:

Post by Maine Wedding Photographer and Puerto Vallarta Wedding Photographer Michelle Turner.  To see more of Michelle’s work, please visit her Maine Wedding Photography website.

I am a Thirst Relief Mentor this year- 100% of the proceeds from this online auction benefit Thirst Relief International.  If you bid on me you will receive:

**A 90 minute session with me about posing, marketing, or any other aspect of your photography business.  If you aren’t a photographer you can still bid on me and I can help you set up your camera and give you a crash course on taking better photographs.  We can conduct the session at WPPI, in Maine, or over Skype/the phone.

**A free seat at a ShutterBrilliance workshop.

**A free copy of Prosper – a BRILLIANT piece of software from Fundy SOS.

This is truly a fabulous cause, and it you want to jump start your business (or your photography in general) for 2011 this would be a fabulous way to start!   You can bid on me by clicking on this link.

And because I think that no post should be without an image, here is one of my favorites from this year.  It will also prepare you for the wedding rewind this week! 

Post by Maine Wedding Photographer Michelle Turner.  To see more of Michelle’s work, please visit her Maine Wedding Photography website.

Do you want to learn several different techniques for lighting receptions?  Come join ShootStyle at our August workshop to find out how all six of us deal with lighting even the darkest ballrooms.  The workshop will be held in Rhode Island at the Biltmore- for more information and to sign up, head on over to the “Rock Your Reception” event page at http://rockyourreception.eventbrite.com.