Photo backpack items?

[esheato]

So the biz is moving in the right direction; business cards will be here next week, analytics are heading in the right direction and I did a family shoot last weekend. They bought the entire album for a nice profit, so that’s a great start!

I’ve been trying to figure out what I need on hand vs nearby vs back in the vehicle. Considering most of my shoots are family oriented and outdoors, walking a trail or a bridge or something, I’m leaning towards a simple Lowepro backpack. Question then becomes what do I put in it? What do I need with me?

Body w/ lens 70-200 2.8, two cards and one batt in camera
Secondary lens 85mm 1.2
Backup batt
BlackRapid Sling
Lens caps
Lens wipes, lens pen, Rocket blower
Tiny pose books for those off days
Folio for contact info
Personal clothes tape
Gaffers tape
Lint roller
Bobby pins/hair ties
Tissues
Lollipops for uncooperative kiddos
Business cards
Microfiber towel
Small Bluetooth speaker for tunes?

What am I missing?

Ohhhhh, totally forgot, here’s the new logo.

 

[ChainReaction]

I like to always have a flashlight. It just has so many good uses in a pinch sometimes. I also like to have a small multitool just in case a piece of equipment is misbehaving. Lastly this might seam a bit over the top but a little first aid kit for when things happen

 

[BasilFawlty]

I like to always have a flashlight. It just has so many good uses in a pinch sometimes. I also like to have a small multitool just in case a piece of equipment is misbehaving. Lastly this might seam a bit over the top but a little first aid kit for when things happen

Speaking of multi-tools, I Have a standard Leatherman, but I also bought this small rig multitool about a year ago when B&H had it on sale during one of their flash sales. It's very well built from aluminum alloy and has four common allen sizes for photography. a large flathead (great for area plates), a T25 Torx and a phillips head driver. It comes with a nifty little draw-string pouch. There are also 6 threaded holes to allow for carrying various extra screws.

PS: Your idea for a first aid kit is a good one!

Foldable Multi-Tool Kit

Foldable Multi-Tool Kit【SmallRig - DIY Camera Rigs, Stabilizers and Other Camera Accessories】

www.smallrig.com

 

[Bryan Conner]

I would definitely have a backup body. When I was shooting weddings, senior portraits/family portraits etc. I always had a second body. The idea of having the shoot end because of a camera malfunction terrified me. Even with a family shoot close by, I had a second body on hand at all times. I never needed one, but I often used both, as it saved time to not have to switch lenses. This may not be an option for you starting out, but I would highly recommend a second body as one of your next investments. For me, it added a level of confidence for me, and I think it added confidence in the eyes of my clients.

Your logo looks very nice.

 

[BasilFawlty]

I would definitely have a backup body.

Me too! Sometimes my knees revolt!

 

[esheato]

I would definitely have a backup body. When I was shooting weddings, senior portraits/family portraits etc. I always had a second body. The idea of having the shoot end because of a camera malfunction terrified me. Even with a family shoot close by, I had a second body on hand at all times. I never needed one, but I often used both, as it saved time to not have to switch lenses. This may not be an option for you starting out, but I would highly recommend a second body as one of your next investments. For me, it added a level of confidence for me, and I think it added confidence in the eyes of my clients.

Your logo looks very nice.

Yeah, I see the value in it, and maybe I should make it a priority since it’s a biz and not a hobby. On the other hand, it’s family portraiture, not a wedding where you get one opportunity. I hose up a family shoot, I refund and re-sked. I’ll take it under advisement.

Ah, thank you. The logo is a ChatGPT stylized version of a photograph I took of my son. No joke. Sent off the ChatGPT derived images to a designer and they polished and turned it into a vector. Done. Much cheaper too.

 

[esheato]

Speaking of multi-tools, I Have a standard Leatherman, but I also bought this small rig multitool about a year ago when B&H had it on sale during one of their flash sales. It's very well built from aluminum alloy and has four common allen sizes for photography. a large flathead (great for area plates), a T25 Torx and a phillips head driver. It comes with a nifty little draw-string pouch. There are also 6 threaded holes to allow for carrying various extra screws.

PS: Your idea for a first aid kit is a good one!

Foldable Multi-Tool Kit

Foldable Multi-Tool Kit【SmallRig - DIY Camera Rigs, Stabilizers and Other Camera Accessories】

www.smallrig.com

Oh, I like this one.

 

[BasilFawlty]

Oh, I like this one.

Me too! Seems like with every bit of kit I buy there is always another Allen wrench included - this is much nicer than caring around a bag of Allen keys

PS: I like your Logo too! Very different but cool.

 

[esheato]

Here’s the original photo used to develop the logo.