The Indiefoxx Camera and Lens Guide
Hey guys!! It’s been so long since I wrote a blog post. Headed into 2019 I will be more active on the blog.
One of the most frequently asked questions I get in my DMs is: what camera and lens do you use?
I try to reply to everyone who asks this, but sometimes I just can’t get to them all. So here I am writing a blog post that I can highlight for you guys!
For cameras:
First things first! My absolute baby (and the camera I have used for the last few months) is my Nikon d750. She is a full-frame camera with all the bells and whistles. Before, I was using a crop sensor Nikon d60 & Nikon d3300. A cropped sensor camera crops the image so you don’t get a lot in the frame. Which means the person taking the photos has to stand pretty far away from you, or your tripod has to be far away for you to be in the whole shot. With a full-frame camera, you get more of your surroundings in the photo. You can get very close to the subject and get everything in the shot. I totally recommend a full-frame camera. They are more money, but think of it as an investment into your career. Looking back, I can’t even believe I blogged with a crop sensor for so long!
For lens:
I personally love Sigma lenses. They give a nice, smooth, and buttery aesthetic to your photos. These lenses are just my preference and what I love to use.
I use a few quite a few different lenses, but my go-to lens is the Sigma 20mm 1.4.
It is a wide-angle lens, meaning when you put it on a full-frame camera you get even more surroundings in your shot! This is also the lens I use to get those crazy, interesting angles. Since it is a wide-angle lens it ever so slightly pulls the edges out, giving you the appearance of being taller. It adds an amazing perspective to your photos along with a high-fashion, artsy vibe. You can get this feel from a 28mm or a 24mm as well, it just depends on your preference.
Next, for portrait and quarter-length photos I use my trusty Sigma 35mm 1.4.
The 35mm creates a nice bokeh on your backgrounds, so the focus is just on the subject and not the surroundings. This is extremely helpful to have if you don’t have a cool location to shoot in since it blurs out the background. You won’t be able to get as much in the shot as you would with a wide angle lens, but it’s still a beautiful lens.
The last lens I use is my Nikon 50mm.
You can not go wrong with a 50mm lens. The background will have an even larger bokeh since it’s a longer focal length, and give you that dreamy feel. I don’t use this lens as much as it crops much of the frame (unless you are standing farther away), but the images from a 50mm lens are undeniably stunning.
I’ve heard Tezza say that buying a new lens is buying a new perspective, and I couldn’t agree more with that!
Each lens you buy will give different looks and perspectives to your photos. I totally recommend trying out new lenses to see which ones suit you best. I also HIGHLY recommend renting lenses. This way, you aren’t spending hundreds of dollars on a lens you might not like.
Tips on crazy angles and posing like a pro:
Mix it up.
Most people just take shots at their subject matter’s height. Try having your photographer sit down or get a step stool. These create different perspectives that are interesting to the viewer. My husband takes all my outdoor shots, and he gets crazy. He has laid on the ground on a busy sidewalk with me stepping over him to get a cool shot. We look crazy, but its all for the gram right?2. Don’t be scared.
Yes, you might get weird stares but it’s worth it. When you are worried what people will think or scared of others watching you, it shows in the photo. Be relaxed and just learn to tune out your surroundings. Get lost in the art. If you have to, play some music and pop in some earbuds while doing a photoshoot. This helps set the mood for the photos.3. Learn poses that look best for your body.
If you are sitting for a pose and have short legs or just want to make your legs longer, try pointing your toes towards the camera to elongate your legs. This helps you look like you have super long legs.
4. The most important rule of all: dimension is queen
Give dimension to your shots! Always have a background, middle ground (subject matter), and foreground (hand, leaf, hat, record, close-up surrounding, etc). Having all three of these elements will ensure your photos look three-dimensional and interesting, while avoid having them looking flat.
I would love to hear your feedback. If you guys think I should do more blog posts about poses or creative ideas for photoshoots, let me know in the comments!
