Episode 1: What is in Our Camera Bags

Welcome to the very first episode of Wine Down and Focus with Annette & Christina!

We’re so excited to finally launch our podcast, where we chat about all things photography—while sipping on some great wine, of course.

Since we’re all about keeping things fun and practical, we decided to kick off our first episode with a deep dive into something photographers always ask about: what’s in our camera bags?

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, we’re breaking down our go-to gear, what we love (and don’t love), plus some handy tips for keeping your bag packed and ready for any session.

So grab a glass of wine, settle in, and let’s talk photography gear!

Wine of the Episode: The Pessimist Red Blend

Because what’s a photography podcast without a little wine talk? This week, we’re drinking The Pessimist Red Blend from Paso Robles. It’s a delicious mix of blackberry, plum, vanilla, oak, and even a little tobacco and leather. If you’re into wines that taste rich, earthy, and just a little “dirty” (in a good way!), this one’s for you.

Perfect Pairings: Beef, lamb, veal, poultry, and aged cheeses (which we, of course, had on hand).

Where to Find It: Total Wine (~$20 per bottle, but closer to $18.80 with Mix & Match 6).

Our Everyday Camera Bags

A solid camera bag is a must-have for any photographer, and we each have our favorites:

Annette’s Bag: Tenba Camouflage – Durable, spacious, and easy to access gear from both ends.
Christina’s Bag: Peak Design Everyday Messenger – Compact, stylish, and perfect for carrying multiple lenses on location.

These bags keep our most-used gear safe and ready for any session. Speaking of which…

Our Camera of Choice: Canon R5 Mirrorless

We both shoot with the Canon R5 mirrorless, and honestly, we have no regrets about switching to mirrorless! The image quality, autofocus, and ease of use are unbeatable.

Should you upgrade? We don’t feel the need to go beyond the R5 yet—it already produces high-resolution images far larger than clients will ever need!

Our Must-Have Lenses

Lenses can make or break a shot, and these are the ones we swear by:

Annette’s Go-To Lenses:

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 – The ultimate lens for senior portraits and headshots! Creamy backgrounds, amazing compression, and just overall dreamy results.
Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 – Razor-sharp with buttery bokeh, but not an everyday lens.
Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 – Useful for tight indoor spaces and large group shots.

Christina’s Favorites:

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 – Perfect for wide-angle shots, events, and pet photography.
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 – A fast-focusing dream lens for photographing kids and families.
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 – (Yes, we both love this one!) Great for compressing backgrounds and getting those perfect portrait shots.

Pro Tip: The 70-200mm lens is a game-changer for creating that beautiful, soft background blur! If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out.

Lighting & Flash Gear

We’ve both tested different flashes, and while some work better than others, here’s what’s in our bags:

Godox V860 Speedlight – Annette loves it, but Christina is still on the fence about its performance at weddings.
Godox AD100 & AD300 – Great for off-camera lighting and outdoor sessions.
Flash Accessories: We carry gels for creative lighting, plus extra batteries because, let’s be real, flash batteries love to die at the worst times.

Flash Troubleshooting Tip: If your flash isn’t firing, check the trigger batteries first! Even if they show they’re full, they might still be the problem.

Must-Have Accessories & Tools

Aside from cameras and lenses, there are a few things we always have in our bags:

✅ Camera Straps: Peak Design Straps – We love them, but also kinda hate the tripod-mount attachment.
✅ Extra Batteries & Memory Cards: You can never have too many.
✅ Lens Cleaner: Because dust and fingerprints happen.
✅ Deodorant, Hairbrush, & Hairspray: Perfect for last-minute touch-ups on seniors and clients.
✅ Mace: Because downtown shoots can get a little sketchy sometimes.
✅ Wax Strips (yes, like for braces!) – A secret hack for holding rings in place for wedding shots.

Pro Tip: Keep an extra set of AA batteries for your trigger—always. Trust us, it’ll save you a major headache!

Final Thoughts & What’s Next

That’s a wrap on our very first episode! We had so much fun breaking down our favorite gear, and we can’t wait for future episodes where we chat about photography, business, and all the behind-the-scenes stories.

What’s Next?

We’re heading to a photography conference in Florida this week, and we’ll be recording live episodes from there! Expect some awesome interviews with fellow photographers, industry insights, and maybe a little bit of beach time.

Subscribe & Stay Connected!

Make sure you subscribe to Wine Down and Focus so you don’t miss our next episodes. And if you have any questions or want to hear about something specific, reach out—we’d love to hear from you!

Until next time, cheers! 🍷🥂