Picking Out the Right Gear:
The Best Equipment for Family Photography
Capturing beautiful, meaningful family photos can be tricky without the right equipment. From basic camera bodies to lenses and lighting setups, it’s important to understand what each piece of gear does and how it can help you create the perfect picture. This guide will help you discover my favorite equipment for family photography.
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Check out my Amazon storefront. It includes all my favorite gear, including best cameras for family photography, trendy client wardrobe options and cute gifts for photographers.
What Is the Best Camera for Family Photography?
What Camera Do I Use?
I always carry two cameras: the Sony A7R V and the Sony A7 IV. I recently upgraded to the A7R V from the Sony A7 III, which I loved and still consider a fantastic starter camera. I began my photography journey with a Canon 6D and often miss the classic Canon color profile. However, switching to Sony’s mirrorless system was a game-changer for me.
The A7 III and A7 IV are excellent, budget-friendly full-frame options with incredible dynamic range (capturing highlights and shadows beautifully), lightweight bodies, and outstanding autofocus. If your budget allows, I highly recommend the A7 IV for its extra features and performance. But if you're just starting out, the A7 III offers everything you need to get going.
I love all my camera babies, just like I love all my kids, but let’s compare!
Comparing the Best Cameras for Family Photography
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Sony A7iii
Pros: Affordable, excellent image quality, good autofocus, long battery life.
Cons: Lower resolution (24MP), older video features, less advanced menus.
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Sony a7iv
Pros: 33MP resolution, enhanced autofocus, 4K 10-bit video, better ergonomics.
Cons: More expensive, heavier (barely).
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Sony a7rV
Pros: 61MP resolution, superior autofocus, 8K video, advanced in-body stabilization.
Cons: Expensive, larger file sizes.
My Overall Recommendations for the Best Camera for Family Photography
Disclaimer: I’m a Sony woman- I’m sure they’re are some amazing other brands out there too.
For Beginners: The Sony A7 III is my top pick. It’s affordable, offers excellent image quality, reliable autofocus, and a long battery life. Perfect for those starting in family photography without needing the latest features.
For Professionals Seeking Versatility: The Sony A7 IV strikes the perfect balance with its 33MP resolution, advanced autofocus, and better video capabilities. It’s an excellent all-around camera for those looking to level up their photography.
For Ultra-High Resolution and Video Needs: The Sony A7R V is ideal for experienced photographers or videographers needing exceptional detail and performance. Its 61MP resolution and 8K video make it a powerhouse, though it comes at a premium.
My Overall Recommendation:
If you're just starting out or on a budget, go with the A7 III.
If you can stretch your budget or need more features, the A7 IV is worth it.
For professionals needing the best resolution and video, the A7R V is unmatched.
What are My Favorite Lenses?
Wondering which lens to use for family photography? My favorites are the 85mm and 35mm. Both have unique benefits for capturing family moments. The 85mm is perfect for close-up portraits with beautiful background blur, while the 35mm offers more versatility, allowing you to capture wider scenes and storytelling shots.
Let’s break down which one will work best for your family photos:
85mm: Great for portraits, it offers beautiful background blur (bokeh) and isolates subjects. It's ideal for headshots and capturing emotion but requires more distance between you and your subject.
35mm: More versatile, perfect for environmental portraits and storytelling. It lets you capture more of the scene, making it a great all-around lens for beginners who want to experiment with both portraits and landscapes.
Both lenses have their strengths; your choice depends on the style of photography you want to focus on! Or be like me, and get both!
I use the Sony 35mm GM and Sigma 85mm on my cameras about 95% of the time. This combo offers incredible versatility: the 85mm delivers creamy bokeh, perfect for portraits, while the 35mm captures more of the scene, ideal for storytelling. I also carry around my Sony E-mount FE 24mm F1.4 GM Wide-angle lens for more artsy shots or when I want to do a shot from above.
If I’m shooting with just one camera, I sometimes opt for the Sony 24-70mm GM for its flexibility across focal lengths. It’s fast and versatile, but my prime lenses still win for sharpness and image quality.
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What are my favorite camera straps and camera bags?
If you are going to use two cameras, you are going to need a harness. I use the BlackRapid Double Breathe harness. I am petite and found that this one fit me best. If I have one camera on me, I always use my Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap. It's comfortable and super adjustable. I also love that I can keep the anchors on the camera so it’s super easy to go between my harness and Peak Design strap. The strap just pops right back on. My Brevite backpack comes with me to every session. It’s light but holds everything I need, including my laptop when needed.
What do I need for a photography session in the SNOW?
As a California girl still adjusting to snow, here are a few tips for handling cold-weather shoots:
Touchscreen, flexible gloves: Stay warm and still use your camera.
Handwarmer: Grab a few of these for yourself and little kiddos with cold hands.
Extra batteries! Cold weather drains batteries faster, so bring spares!
Interested in advancing your photography skills?
I offer mentorships.
Coupons and Deals
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