My Go-To Gear & Tools

If it’s in my kit or my workflow, it’s here because it works hard and makes magic.

Cameras, lenses, lighting — these are the tools behind the bold, elevated images I create every day. If you're a photographer looking to upgrade your setup or a brand wondering how we get that glow, here’s a peek behind the curtain. This is my real-deal lineup: the gear I trust on every shoot, from celeb portraits and brand campaigns to everyday headshots that don’t look everyday.

Whether you're diving into photography or refining a thriving studio, I’ve got everything broken down for you below by category. Click, browse, or shop away — these are all things I use and love.

Let’s get into it. 📸

Professional headshot of Tausha Dickinson wearing a royal blue blazer, smiling confidently against a light blue background—captured to reflect her warm, approachable, and polished personal brand.

Start where your curiosity pulls—strategy, gear, or glow-up tools.

Header graphic labeled “Business Tools” in bold white text on a dark green background, introducing client systems and business apps.

Here’s the powerhouse lineup that keeps my business running smooth like butter.
These tools handle the scheduling, client experience, file delivery, invoicing, and a whole lot more — so I can stay focused on creating bold, beautiful work. Think of this as the behind-the-scenes dream team that helps me serve up a seamless, stress-free experience from inquiry to final delivery.

My all-in-one client system. Handles contracts, emails, invoicing, and automations.

For beautiful, on-brand email marketing that stays connected and engaging.

My favorite gallery delivery tool. Clean, professional, and easy for clients.

My tethering and color editing go-to. Glowy skin tones, brand colors that pop.

AI culling software that helps me sort thousands of images fast.

Smart retouching software that smooths, cleans, and polishes while keeping skin real.

More Tools That Keep This Biz Buzzing….

Graphic header labeled “Camera & Lenses” for photography gear section, featuring white text on a dark green background.

Mirrorless magic with crispy detail and dreamy skin tones.

Small but mighty. Great for tight spaces, detail shots, and editorial feels.

Compression and bokeh heaven. Ideal for events and dramatic candids.

My workhorse. Flexible, sharp, and oh-so-reliable. This is my go to lens.

Dreamy depth and creamy bokeh. A portrait powerhouse with edge.

Versatile and fast. My go-to for sharp, cinematic shots in any setting.

Perfect for portraits with soft falloff and close-up storytelling magic.

Bold and beautiful. Razor-sharp with a dreamy, cinematic blur.

Section header labeled “Lighting Strobes and Speedlights” in bold white text on a dark green background, used for professional photography gear page.

Studio beast. Crazy fast recycle time and dead-on consistent light.

Big power in a small body. Perfect for polished results anywhere.

Bold color, sleek design. Perfect for gels, gradients, and creative flair.

Big power in a small body. Perfect for polished results anywhere.

Compact and quick. My go-to speedlight for simple or off-the-cuff setups

Lightweight and dependable. Great balance of power and portability.

Serious power on the go. My go-to for big light in wide open spaces or tough lighting conditions.

Studio staple. Bright, even output for video or consistent lighting scenes.

Section header labeled “Lighting Modifiers” in bold white text on a dark green background, used to introduce light-shaping tools in a photography gear list.

Soft, even light. Perfect for portraits and beauty work.

More surface = more softness. Ideal for headshots and studio work.

Compact and dreamy. A go-to for small spaces or tighter shots.

Total lighting control in a magnetic snap.

Precision lighting with endless creative control. Great for patterns and drama.

Pinpoint light exactly where you need it. Dramatic and direct.

Portable and powerful. My favorite for tight setups with pro results.

Crisp and contrasty. Great for fashion-inspired setups.

Big, bold, and beautiful. Gorgeous falloff and soft shadows.

Affordable and effective. A solid backup for soft light on the go.

Quick swaps, bold colors, and light control all in one smart system.

Larger wraparound softness for glowing, flattering light.

Wescott Optical Spot system used for creating precision lighting, dramatic patterns, and controlled creative effects.

FAQs

  • I primarily shoot with the Canon R5 and a collection of RF lenses. It’s fast, sharp, and beautifully reliable for everything from studio portraits to on-location fashion and commercial work.

  • Absolutely!!! A 5-in-1 reflector. It’s one of the most versatile tools out there. You can bounce light to fill shadows, block light to create contrast, or even shoot through it for soft, diffused light. Whether you’re in studio or on location, it’s like having a mini lighting kit in your bag.

  • Yes, my go to is Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8. It is EXTREMELY versatile. I also love my primes, especially my 50mm 1.2 and my 85mm 1.4

  • The Canon R5 is great for low light. If I am shooting something on the go, I love using a Godox Speedlight. Otherwise I will be using a Profoto B10x or Godox AD200

  • Start with a speedlight on your camera and learn how to bounce and shape light using walls, ceilings, or reflectors. Once you’re comfortable, the next step is getting that speedlight off-camera. This is where you’ll really start to understand light direction and control. If your budget allows, upgrading to a strobe comes next. But even with just a speedlight, you can create beautiful, professional-looking images.

  • Profoto D2 or B10x in studio, AD200 Pro on the go.

  • Look at Leofoto or Manfrotto for rock-solid support.

  • Yes, selectively. I use Aftershoot for intelligent culling or base edits and Evoto for my initial batch retouching… it saves so much time! Every final photo gets a hands-on polish by me or my team.

  • I use both depending on the shoot. For portraits and headshots, I love the flexibility of strobes like the Profoto B10X and D2. For video or creative lighting effects, I’ll pull in continuous lighting like the Godox SL150R.

  • Rocket blower, lens wipes, and micro fiber cloths are your everyday essentials—but don’t skip the pro stuff. Sending your camera in for a professional cleaning once a year keeps your gear in top shape and your images crystal clear.

  • Capture One with a tether cable or wireless to my laptop or ipad depending on the shoot.

  • For my key light, I usually alternate between the Photek SoftLighter 46”  and the Glow ParaSnap 36” Octa. For fill, I’ll use either a MAGMOD stripbox or my budget-friendly Fotodiox Umbrella

  • In studio, I combine a slow shutter speed with a quick pop of flash. The flash freezes part of the image while the longer exposure captures intentional movement… like fabric, hair, or light. It creates a dreamy, artistic effect while staying fully controlled.

  • Yes, 95% of the time. Control and consistency are everything.

  • External SSDs plus Amazon cloud storage for extra peace of mind.

  • Kupo for mid-level, Avenger for high-end setups.

  • Everything on this page is linked and current, including budget and premium picks.

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