What’s in My Bag: The Gear I Rely on for Every Shoot (Built for Quality and Efficiency)

Written By Kelsey Ogden

Hey there! I’m Kelsey — a professional videographer and photographer with nearly a decade of experience across corporate storytelling, event coverage, documentary filmmaking, and more.

Over the years, I’ve gone from shooting on a beginner DSLR with a kit lens to building a professional setup with two camera bodies, multiple lenses, audio and lighting gear, and all the accessories that make production run smoother.

I’m sharing my current gear list to help you learn from my journey, whether you’re leveling up your kit or just starting to explore what’s out there.

Heads up: this post includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through them (at no extra cost to you). It’s a simple way to support my work while finding the gear you need!

My Core Photo & Video Setup

Camera Bodies

The heart of any kit: the cameras! I currently shoot with:

The EOS R was my first full-frame mirrorless camera and it’s still going strong since 2019. The R5 is newer and more powerful, so it's now my go-to for high-end shoots.

Why Canon? Honestly, it’s what I started with in college. I love the color science, the familiarity, and the ecosystem. These days, most major brands can deliver pro-level results. Don’t stress too much about the “best” brand, just pick what fits your style and workflow.

Lenses

I used to obsess over trying every lens I could. That exploration taught me what I love, but now I lean toward a simpler setup. My core lens trio:

This trio covers everything from 16mm to 200mm, which handles about 99% of my needs. I also prefer the zooms to the prime lenses (listed below) for professional work because instead of focusing on what focal length I need, I have a range to work with and can focus more on getting the shot, than what lens needs to be on my camera. 

Prime Lenses (mostly for personal projects):

Lightweight, compact, and great for travel or storytelling work:

💡 Pro Tip: If you're just starting out, prioritize good lenses over expensive bodies. Lenses outlast bodies and play a bigger role in the look of your image. 

Stabilization Gear (Tripods & Gimbals)

Stability = polished video. Even with in-camera stabilization, physical gear still matters.

My go-to stabilizers:

The gimbal took some learning and getting used to, but now it’s essential for my event work and elevates my footage like nothing else.

Audio Gear

Bad visuals? People might forgive.
Bad audio? Game over.

Audio is crucial, yet so often overlooked.

My audio kit:

  • Rode Wireless GO – compact lavalier mics, perfect for interviews and travel (small but mighty)

  • Rode VideoMicro – a lightweight onboard mic I use constantly

  • Rode VideoMic NTG – more advanced, ideal for voiceovers with USB capability. 

    • I originally bought this mic to go on my camera because you have more control over the sound compared to the VideoMicro but I’ve found myself drifting toward the simplicity of the VideoMicro and using the NTG for recording voiceovers instead.

I’ve used this setup since 2021 with little need to upgrade. Once you dial in a clean sound setup, you’re golden.

Lighting Setup

Lighting was a skill I really developed in my last job, where I had access to pro-level gear. Now, I’m slowly building a freelance-friendly kit.

Current lighting tools:

If I need more lighting power, I rent or collaborate with lighting pros who have more gear. It’s always great to team up with people who are knowledgeable in areas you are still learning. Not only do they get the job done beautifully but you get to learn and ask questions along the way. 

Essential Accessories

Once you’ve got the essentials down, here are a few other tools that might make life easier:

  • ND Filters – like sunglasses for your lens; essential for outdoor shooting so you can keep your aperture low for a cinematic look. 

  • Extra Batteries & Chargers – I carry at least 2–3 per camera, and often bring the chargers with me on long shoot days. You never want to run out of power. 

    • Although they’re more expensive, I also rely on the Canon brand batteries and chargers. I find them to last the longest and be the most reliable. You can get off brand batteries for cheaper but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.

  • SD Cards – high-speed, name-brand; store them in a protective case

    • My favorites are the Sandisk Extreme Pro SD cards. And make sure they are U3 and v30 if you plan on shooting in 4K. If you get cheaper and slower SD cards, they won’t be able to perform. 

    • Storing them in a protective case allows you to always have your SDs in one place and makes sure the elements don’t get to them. 

    • Just like batteries, having enough SD cards is essential for professional gigs.

  • Camera Backpack or Hard Case – look for customizable inserts

    • My current camera bag is the Vanguard VEO Select 45BFM Backpack. I like it because it’s sleek, has enough room for most simple gigs, and has a sleeve for my laptop. 

    • For shoots where I need all of my gear (multiple bodies, lenses, tripod, gimbal, and all the accessories), or if I’m traveling with gear, I’ll pack my Pelican 1510. This is a hard case so it’s super protective and large enough to fit a bunch of equipment. It’s also specifically carry-on size, so you can bring it on a plane with you when you travel.

  • Multi-tool – an absolute lifesaver on set for quick fixes

    • This tool stays in my backpack at all times. Even when I don’t think I’ll need it, I always bring it because it always comes in handy.

Nice-to-Have Add-Ons (But Not Essentials)

  • External Monitor – for brighter viewing and precise framing

    • The Atomos Shinobi 5” has lasted me years. It does not record externally (if that’s something you’re interested in) and that would likely be the only reason I would feel the need to upgrade. Otherwise this baby works wonders.

  • Drone – great for aerials and establishing shots (just get licensed if using commercially)

    • My current drone is the DJI Air2s. I like it because it’s small and compact, shoots great footage (though arguably not the greatest). I feel like it’s does a great job for the price point. You could go smaller if you wanted more compactness, or you could get something like a Mavic for improved image quality. 

  • Camera Cage – more relevant for video work; makes your rig modular and robust

    • I use the SmallRig Black Mamba Camera Cage for my R5. I love adding on the top and side handles for shooting video. And you can trick it out with mics and your monitor too for a more build out set up.

  • 360 Camera – for immersive shots or fun time-lapses

    • I have the X3 and I think it works totally fine for the types of shots I use it for. There are newer versions out there but I really only find myself using this camera for specialty shots, so I haven’t seen a need to upgrade.

  • Insta360 Go3s – tiny, fun POV camera for creative shots in tight spaces

    • Again, another specialty shot camera. Fun to play around with and adds variety to your videos but not a necessity.

Editing Setup: Computers & Hard Drives

Editing is where your footage comes to life and where slow gear can kill your momentum.

My editing machine:

  • M3 MacBook Pro
    If you're buying new, go for at least an M1 Mac or a PC with 16GB+ RAM and a strong GPU. Desktops work too, but laptops offer flexibility on the go.

Hard drives & storage:

I use these as working drives, storing multiple projects at a time for save keeping. Once a project wraps, I move everything to a RAID drive for long-term storage.

Currently using the LaCie 2big Dock 40TB External HDD. I’ve also used the SanDisk Professional 40TB G-RAID 2 with great success. 

💡 SSDs are faster, but I stick with HDDs for the price point and reliability—with backups and trusted brands, they’ve worked great for me. If you’re careful and don’t knock them around too much, HDDs work great. If you’re pretty rough with your gear and want extra piece of mind, go for SSDs for working drives. 

Final Thoughts

I hope this gives you a clear and honest look at what I use every day as a working videographer and photographer. Gear can be a huge investment—but with a thoughtful approach, you can build a setup that lasts and supports your creative goals.

If you’ve got questions, want recommendations, or just wanna nerd out about camera stuff comment down below!

If you’re a brand, business, or creator, the right tools make a huge difference — and so does the right person behind the lens.

If you’re ready to bring your story to life through professional video, I’d love to help. Get in touch here. 

Kelsey Ogden
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