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  • Ask Elizabeth

August 11, 2017
Ask Elizabeth, Blogging & Business, Photography

My Blog Photography Gear

Elizabeth Mayberry Lifestyle Blogger and Photographer at Oak + Oats shares her blog gear tipsASK ELIZABETH

Question: I was wondering what photo gear you use for your blog’s photos. Looking at purchasing a new DSLR and love the quality of your photos!

Today’s Ask Elizabeth post is more on the technical side of things. I sometimes still feel odd giving photography tips (because this is where I am coming from!! AH!) but I have to give myself some credit – I have grown LEAPS since then. I have taught myself how to use a camera. Bought a used DSLR (Canon Rebel) and used that one until I started feeling limited by it. Switched to Nikon buying a full-frame DSLR and that’s the one I use today!

I’m going to share everything I currently am using – obviously. This also feels funny to me because it may change years from now. I have several “gear” posts that are now a bit outdated ( Buying your First DSLR, 5 Favorites for your Blog Photography, 5 Tips for Lifestyle Photography) They are still full of great information but I am no longer using all the same gear. I want you to know that this is an ever evolving part of Oak + Oats. The more I practice, grow, blog, share, learn – I outgrow cameras, I find new ways of doing things, I fall in love with new products. I want you to know that because I want you to be okay with that for your journey. Use what you have, learn what you have, and upgrade when you know exactly what your current set up can no longer do for you.

I also want to challenge you to grow. For so many years I LOVED photography. I valued photography. I knew I would be a family who paid for Christmas photos every year and I made sacrifices to have a great photographer at my wedding. I read blogs with beautiful imagery that drew me in – in fact, those beautiful blogs inspired me to start one of my own. But I NEVER thought I could ever get to that point. I felt like I couldn’t be more than and iPhone photographer – sharing photos on my blog edited with Instagram filters (remember when those were a thing?) But you know what? I didn’t stay there. One day I woke up and decided my dreams were worth it so I started working with what I had and trying make something better (what I had was this camera my husband had from high school) . I tried to create the images I loved so much. While I had so far to go, I kept at it and now I’m not only proud of the photography I share, I get paid to take photos for other people! I defiantly still have areas I want to grow in, but I also am so aware that I reached a dream I almost had given up on.

Whew! All that to say – great question (and thanks for the kind words about my photos!) Here is the gear I’m using these days!

Blog Photography Gear - Nikon, Camera bags, Lightroom. The gear Lifestyle Blogger and Photographer Elizabeth Mayberry uses.

Nikon D700

This is the camera body I use. It is a full frame DSLR. What I love about a full frame is that I can capture more. The sensor is larger than a crop-sensor (makes sense) and can capture more data. I also loved my Canon Rebel and used it as long as I could. The best advice about gear I got was to upgrade only when you know what you can no longer do and are feeling boxed in.

32GB Compact Flash Card

The card I got with my camera was TINY. Since I shoot in RAW all the time, I needed a card that could hold a lot of data. I love this one because I can take nearly 15K RAW photos on it and be a-okay!

Jo Totes Bellbrook Camera Backpack

I picked up this backpack because I wanted a camera bag that would travel well. I have back & neck issues so I don’t love carrying around heavy things. Backpacks help distribute the weight and are perfect for travel or walking around all day with my camera. I also LOVE the way it looks and it is filled with plenty of dividers for all your gear.

Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens

This is the first lens I purchased when I bought my camera. I love the 50mm because it is a great portrait lens. You can also get some great boka (blurred backgrounds) since it is a 1.8.

Samsung Galaxy s8+

While majority of my photography comes from my DSLR, a great phone is still super important for me. I love the video and photo quality on this camera.

Nikon 28mm 1.8 lens

This is the second lens I purchased after I upgraded my camera body! I am loving how much I can get in a photo. Fixed lenses help you get sharp, focused images. It is wise to invest in lenses as you grow!

Lightroom

YES! This has changed everything for my photo editing! Here is a post on how I edit my blog photos!

Fotostrap Camera Strap

A pretty, comfortable, functional camera strap is always good to have. I bought a Fotostrap when I first got a camera and have had it ever since!

ONA Capri Bag

This was the first camera bag I purchased and I love it. It is like a beautiful purse except for it can safely carry all my gear. Being able to travel well with your gear is so important! I have had both of these camera bags for several years and they are still going strong! Totally worth the investment!

Extra Battery Pack

One time I was shooting a really long photo shoot without turning off my camera to rest it and I ran out of battery the last 10 minutes. It was totally fine but also terrible! I went home and immediately bought a back up battery for such a time as that! haha. I love being prepared and having a back up battery (as well as a back up flashcard!)

PS: I also have a Surface Pro 4 for my laptop and a Lenovo All-In-One Desktop that I use to edit photos, blog, and pretty much do my job! haha.
Here is the updated text for the bottom of every post.

ASK ELIZABETH

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Hello + Welcome!

I’m Elizabeth, a Colorado photographer and blogger. I’m also a wife, mama, sister, daughter, and friend! Welcome to Oak + Oats! Here we look for the remarkable in the every day. We love photographing our daily moments, making memories, and sharing our favorite places here in this space.

Our happiest days are spent together – many of those with a camera in hand! My free time (ie: Nap Time) is spent behind my computer screen sharing our tips and stories with you! I’m glad you’re here!

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We put @photowall_sweden wallpaper up in our dinni We put @photowall_sweden wallpaper up in our dinning room and now everything looks like a still life painting. I don't hate it.
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Happy Birthday my littlest 🎉 One year old, my h Happy Birthday my littlest 🎉 One year old, my how the time flies! Beyond grateful for the gift you are to our family! You bring both your parents and your big sister so much JOY! Spent most of my day with my family and this little birthday girl not getting birthday posts edited + written + posted but that's the way it should be! Good thing I like to celebrate birthdays all month long because lots more of #OurMillieBea coming soon!
Happy Birthday Eve my sweet #OurMillieBea 🎉 Happy Birthday Eve my sweet #OurMillieBea 🎉
This week has been a hard week and I just wanted t This week has been a hard week and I just wanted to remind you that no amount of instagram scrolling is going to soothe your heart. The headlines, inspirational quotes, and commentary only pales in comparison to Truth. "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) Go there. Read your Bible. Don't know where to start? Google a reading plan and open your Bible up. We need to be a people who hide the Word of the Lord in our hearts, who know Jesus Christ personally (who is the way, the Truth, and the life John 14: 6), and shine His light. The world needs hope, let's know it and let's share it! 

#faithfilledfridays with 
@nurseryrhymeville @atwinkleintheireyes @bethanykimsey @steph.pollock  @3littlelambshomestead @shannacrowell @thecashells 
@devoted_Motherhood_ @lifes.a.jess @jenniferpepito @anndunagan @_kindletogetherness @oakandoats @littlemindscreative @mobilizermom @cedar_hills_kids_homeschool
Happy Epiphany! ⁠👑 ⁠ We're very new to the Happy Epiphany! ⁠👑
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We're very new to the church calendar and the rhythms set up but I'm so thankful for them. Especially in this season of motherhood + C0vid when each day blends right into the next one. The readings, reminders, and patterns set up in the church calendar allow for reflection, education, and direction. It's always good to be encouraged to read scripture and fill our hearts with the Living Word. ⁠
⁠
Today is the first day in Epiphany which will go until February 16th when we enter the season of Lent. Today is also called Three Kings day and after a little research, we decided to celebrate by opening up a gift (these dresses!) and learning about the Magi who traveled from afar to meet Jesus to pay Him homage and honor Him as King & Lord. With a 2 -year-old and an almost 1-year-old, the comprehension isn't the most academic, but I wanted them (mostly Hilde) to recognize that she got a gift like the Wise Men brought gifts to Baby Jesus. And we can give gifts to Jesus too - like our praise! ⁠
⁠
Hilde wanted to wear crowns just like the three kings but we only have one crown so she picked these gold Minnie ears for Millie! Then we twirled while we danced and sang to worship songs together to give a gift back to Jesus. ⁠
⁠
As the girls grow, we will probably add in crafts and more activities, but it's also always okay to keep things simple. It is the heart that matters, not the presentation. ⁠
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"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land." - Psalm 95:1-5⁠
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Do you celebrate Epiphany? Or follow the church calendar? 👇🏼👇🏼

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