What's In My Photography Kit (A Peek Inside My Trunk!)
Hey y’all! 👋
Ever wonder what kind of gear a real estate and interior photographer actually uses day to day? If you’re curious about what’s in the trunk of my car when I head to a shoot, this post is for you. Spoiler alert: it’s a mix of the essentials, the unexpected, and a few personal quirks.
First Things First: The Stuff That Can’t Take the Heat
Texas heat is no joke, so the very first things I take out of the car are my light stands and tripod. I’ve got:
One carbon fiber tripod (lightweight but sturdy)
Two light stands
These pieces are pretty standard for the kind of work I do—mostly interiors and exteriors of homes. They’re the backbone of any shoot, so they don’t get left to bake in the car.
My Backpack vs. My Pelican Case
Next up is my empty backpack. Why empty? Because it only carries gear into the house—my camera, lenses, and lights—when I’m shooting inside. When I’m on the move, everything stays secure in my heavy-duty Pelican case, which lives in the car.
But gear can’t stay in the car for long. Cameras and lenses have lots of rubber gaskets and seals that can warp or melt in extreme temps. So, I unload everything before it gets too toasty.
The Ladder Life
Then there’s my trusty 4-foot ladder.
Yes, I’m six feet tall (seriously!), but I still need that extra height when shooting exteriors—especially for two-story homes. Getting the right angle from above eye level makes all the difference, and the ladder helps me check my camera settings without breaking my back.
Say Hello to My Crocs
Okay, this might be my favorite part: my indoor Crocs.
They’re pink, white, and cream—and yes, they’re adorable. I wear them inside clients’ homes because:
I don’t wear street shoes indoors (respect!),
I don’t go barefoot (bad feet problems).
They're comfy, quiet, and perfect for working in someone else’s home.
“Truck Nuts” and Wind Control
Now let’s talk about what might be the oddest part of my kit: my water weights—aka my “truck nuts.”
They're just little water-filled containers that I hang from my tripod when I’m shooting outdoors. Why? Because wind in North Texas is no joke. These weights help keep the camera stable, especially during long exposure or bracketed shots.
Doorstops & Dramatic Entrances
Finally, I keep a few extra odds and ends in the car:
Doorstops to hold doors open during a shoot
Extra water (for me and the gear)
Sometimes a front or back entrance is just too beautiful not to shoot from both inside and out. A well-placed doorstop lets me keep doors propped open to capture that perfect indoor-outdoor composition.
And that’s it! That’s what’s in my trunk and part of the reason why my car always sounds like a mobile photo studio.
Thanks for tagging along,
Love y’all—bye! 💕