If you’re just starting out in photography, there are a few key pieces of essential gear that you should have. Once you’ve built up your photography skills, then you can invest in more photography equipment. Assuming you already have an effective camera for photography, here’s an essential photography equipment list to get you started on the right foot.
Camera Tripod
Few camera accessories are as versatile and necessary as a tripod. Whether you’re shooting landscape, portrait, night, street, or even wedding photography, you’re going to need a tripod at some point or another. Tripods are extremely useful in low light settings as the stability of a tripod allows you to take longer-exposure shots without any camera shake.
Remote Shutter Release
A remote shutter release is useful because it lets you “take a shot” without physically touching the camera body, which eliminates the potential for camera shake and accidental blurring. It’s most often used in conjunction with a tripod.
Prime Lens
As you progress in your photography skills, you’ll end up collecting plenty of different lens types from Beachcamera.com that let you take all kinds of shots. But at the start, you’ll be better off starting with a single prime lens. Why a prime lens? Because the inability to zoom can teach you a lot about proper composition techniques. With a fixed camera lens, you have to think through your shots more, which stretches your skills and helps you improve faster. For Canon and Nikon, the 50mm f/1.8 prime lens is the cheapest of all lenses, making it a great piece of photography equipment for beginners.
Photography Lighting Equipment
Every photographer needs flash at some point, even if you don’t intend to shoot in the dark. But don’t use the built-in flash on your camera body. Instead, spend a little bit on your photography lighting equipment and purchase an external flash unit.
SD Memory Cards
For photography, it’s better to have a handful of smaller SD cards than one big SD card. That way, if a card ever gets corrupted, you still have others you can use. There’s nothing worse than being unable to shoot because your only card died.
Camera Cleaning Kit
Dirt, dust, and moisture can get into camera bodies, lenses, and accessories. In the worst case scenario, your expensive camera and lenses may suffer permanent damage. Neglecting camera maintenance may be the most expensive mistake you can make. That’s why you should learn how to properly clean camera gear yourself with a camera cleaning kit.
Camera Strap
As soon as you have the other stuff listed above, you should spring for a quality camera strap. The difference between a good strap and a kit strap is like night and day, and you won’t regret it.
Camera Bag
Once you’ve bought all the aforementioned items, you’ll need to carry it all with a properly designed bag for the job. Photography equipment is only useful if you have it on you when you want to take photos! Beginners should consider this large DSLR gadget bag from Beachcamera.com. For the price, you won’t find another bag that feels as robust and durable. If you intend to also carry a laptop around with you, then you may want to consider the DSLR and laptop backpack instead.
Photography Studio Equipment
If you’re looking to get started in setting up a small studio and practice working with lights, models and backdrops then you’ll need to add a few essential pieces of photography studio equipment to this list. A fully professional photography studio outfit probably has more lights than you can count on your fingers. If you’re just getting started, begin with some entry level soft box lights or umbrella lights. You’ll need to invest in some type of backdrop to get you started as well. Muslin, canvas, seamless paper and cotton are just a few options you have.
This list will set you off on the right path no matter what area of photography you want to focus on.