April 16, 2025
Best Photoshoot in San Diego – My Camera Bag, The Ultimate Assistant
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A camera bag filled with the essentials is the ultimate assistant for a successful photoshoot in San Diego.
A camera bag isn’t *just* a bag – it’s a gear guardian, chaos organizer, and trusty sidekick. It cradles your lenses like precious treasure, hides your snacks (admit it), and holds all your necessities.
Whether you’re chasing sunsets on a mountain or sneaking through city alleys for street shots, your camera bag is like a loyal travel buddy—always there, always packed, and always ready for adventure.
In short, a camera bag is to a photographer what a utility belt is to an electrician or a carpenter.
So, what’s in mine? And how does this bag equate to you having the best photo session? Let’s take a look!
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Meet my Brevite Jumper Photo Backpack (my must have companion for a photoshoot in San Diego)
First things first, I HAVE to have my trusty Brevite Jumper photo backpack. She’s everything I need and nothing I don’t. With space for all my essentials, customizable organization, and quick-access features, she keeps up with every shoot. Its washability is a massive plus – especially with so many photoshoots in San Diego happening at or near our famous beaches (’cause sand happens).
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Just A Girl And Her Camera
The next thing is my camera (of course). My go-to camera is the Sony a7R V mirrorless with my Sony 35mm 1.4 GM lens. It is so insanely versatile that I couldn’t imagine using anything else for a photoshoot in San Diego. She has travelled with me all over – beach, desert, city, mountains, and even multiple National Parks.
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Calling For Back Up!
I ALWAYS carry a second camera, Sony AV7r3 and a backup lens, Sony 24-70mm 2.8GM. I also always have extra batteries and memory cards stored in my bag. Accidents happen and batteries die, so you never know when you might need a backup. My goal is to ensure your photoshoot in San Diego runs as smoothly as possible. As a photographer, it is essential to always be prepared for the unthinkable.
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Sand, sand, sand…and more sand!
Circling back to the sand dilemma, photoshoots in San Diego commonly take place near sand. Sand is like Mother Earth’s glitter and it gets EVERYWHERE. Having a hand-held blower is a MUST, so that I am able to remove sand or any other debris that blows onto my lens during a shoot. This little gadget is small but mighty and does wonders for cleaning my lens. The last thing I want is the perfect shot to have random spots on it because I didn’t take the time or have something to clean my lens.
Speaking of San Diego and sand, take a look at these jaw-dropping locations for your next photo session (sand included!).
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Spider Holster (my must have for the best photoshoot in San Diego)
My newest tool in my arsenal, the Spider holster. This might be my new favorite item I carry. You might be thinking, “what can be so special about a holster?”. While I can definitely see where one might have that thought, the power of a good holster can change the dynamic of a photoshoot. This allows for quick clipping onto my hip and easy access so I can have free hands to manage and move around hair, blankets, positioning, and even kids, and then we can get back to business.
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I have baggage, literally.
Very rarely will you see me arrive at a photoshoot with just one bag. I always make sure my camera bag is filled with my essentials to get the shoot done, but sometimes (a lot of the time) more items are needed. I typically always have a big canvas bag for carrying seating, a laying blanket and a little ladder. This also doubles as a hold-all for families or individuals to place their car keys, phones, sunglasses, water bottles, toys, etc. so that way they aren’t holding anything. I want the sessions to be easy and stress free. Also, pictures look much better when there aren’t things in our pockets.
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JBL Clip-able Speaker (Keeping the vibe high for photoshoots in San Diego)
Last, but not least is my trusty JBL clip-able speaker (I’ve had this speaker for about 4 years so I’ve linked their most up to date model). I firmly believe that you cannot have a fun photoshoot without some tunes. My poor speaker has been to war and back – it’s been dropped in sand and water numerous times, dropped in the surf and gotten soaked, and is even missing the cover at this point, but she is still going strong (see the photo, including the bits of sand stuck around the speakers). I think music is key to setting a good vibe for the shoot. In the pre-photoshoot questionnaire, I always ask what genre of music you enjoy “rocking out” to, so that way the vibes can be high. And don’t worry, if you don’t know the vibe… I always have some genres at the ready.
An honorable mention that I always bring to a session – my signature dad jokes. While not necessarily an item, I am always carrying them around for sessions because life is too short to not tell a terrible dad joke, and keep you laughing. Or at least rolling your eyes.
What is something you always have in your bag or always readily available?
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