Inside My Camera Bag: The Gear I Use for Concerts, Dirt Bikes, and Portraits
Real-world tested gear I use across action sports, live music, and portrait photography.
Quick Gear Checklist (2025 Loadout)
| Category | Item |
|---|---|
| Camera Body | Canon EOS R5 |
| Lenses | 50mm f/1.2L, RF 35mm f/1.8, RF 100mm f/2.8L |
| Camera Bags | NOMATIC Peter McKinnon 25L, K&F Everyday Sling |
| Filters | K&F Black Diffusion (1/4 & 1/8), K&F White Diffusion, Tiffen 85B & 85C |
| Accessories | PGYTECH Beetle Clip, Bonfoto B590A Tripod, Rain Covers |
| Memory & Power | Sony CFexpress Card, K&F LP-E6NH Batteries |
| Cleaning Kit | K&F Concept 10-in-1 |
| Editing Setup | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2, Lightroom, Photoshop, Lightroom |
Inside My Camera Bag: Why I Chose This Gear
As a photographer, my gear is my toolbox. Each piece plays a role in helping me capture unique shots- whether I’m riding my dirt bike through the mountains, shooting high energy concerts, or dialing in a portrait session.
In this post, I’m spilling my beans of my exact camera setup for 2025. If you’re curious about what goes into my bag- keep reading.
1. My Camera Body: The Backbone of My Kit
For most of my work, I rely on the Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless. The Canon R5 is my workhorse and has never let me down. This camera has been a game-changer in my photography journey and here’s why:
- Built for durability: The Canon EOS R5 is weather-sealed and rugged enough to handle the unpredictable elements when I’m navigating dusty trails on my dirt bike.
- 45 Megapixels: The high resolution allows me to capture every detail, whether I’m shooting breathtaking mountain landscapes or close-up portraits.
- Great in low-light: From shooting concerts to golden hour on a mountain trail, this camera performs brilliantly in tough lighting conditions.
Real Moment: My Canon EOS R5 has been through some rough travels with me. One shoot, in particular, was during an intense dirt bike ride, and despite the dust and bumps, the camera didn’t miss a single beat, giving me some of my favorite action shots to date.
2. My Favorite Camera Lenses
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 Lens
I never leave home without this lens. It consistently produces sharp, beautiful images with dreamy bokeh. During a portrait sessions or snapping candid shots while I’m out exploring, this lens gets the most mount time out of all of my lenses.
- Ideal for portraits: Its wide aperture is perfect for creating a shallow depth of field.
- Perfect for low-light conditions: Concert photography or dimly lit settings aren’t a challenge with this lens.
Fun Fact: I shot my first freelance portrait gig with this lens. The client loved the soft background blur and still uses the photo as their profile picture to this day! Which is a photographers highest compliment lol
Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro STM Lens
The 35mm is my go-to for versatility. It’s wide enough to capture the context of a scene without too much distortion, but still close enough to highlight details. This lens is perfect for when I’m on the move, especially during my dirt bike photography adventures.
- Why I love it: Lightweight and compact, but still delivers sharp and vibrant images.
- When I use it: Great for everything from indoor portraits to action shots while out in nature.
During a dirt bike ride through a forest trail, I quickly grabbed my camera with the 35mm to capture the sun filtering through the trees. The wider frame allowed me to catch both the scenery and the action, perfectly balancing the foreground and background.
Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens
The 100mm is the newest addition to my kit, and hands down my favorite. This lens is a precision tool in my kit. The 100mm focal length gives me beautiful compression and working distance, while the macro capability opens up a whole new world of textures and fine detail.
Why I love it: It’s insanely sharp, and the ability to get this close to a subject without losing quality is wild. Plus, the image stabilization makes handheld macro shots way more doable.
When I use it: Honestly? For everything. Macro, product shots, portraits, live action, everyday life, even concerts—it handles it all like a champ. Product photography, artistic macro shots, and portraits where I want extreme clarity and control over fine detail.
One Time I Knew It Was a Keeper: I brought a few lenses to shoot a Supercross race, but the 100mm never left my camera. From close-up details in the pits to action on the track, it covered every angle I needed. That’s when I knew—this lens isn’t just a specialty tool, it’s an all-around beast.
Check out some of my supercross photos with this lens, here!
3. Camera Bags I Use
NOMATIC Peter McKinnon Camera Pack 25L: I use the Nomatic Peter McKinnon Camera Pack 25L, designed specifically for photographers. It’s rugged enough to handle the rough terrain, and it has a padded compartment for my gear, making sure everything stays safe even on bumpy rides. For dirt bike and travel days. It’s tough, roomy, and protects my gear even during hard crashes (ask me how I know…).
- My dirt bike & travel go-to
- Rugged, padded, crash-tested (literally)
K&F Concept Everyday Sling Bag: I use the K&F Concept Everyday Sling Bag, designed specifically for photographers. My new favorite for concerts and quick event shoots. It’s lightweight, easy to carry in tight venues, and fits everything I need. Perfect busy events, quick lens changing, and small accessories right on your hip.
- Perfect for concerts & events
- Small, fast, and easy in tight spaces
PGYTECH Beetle Clip: At concerts or events, I use the PGYTECH Beetle Clip to attach my camera directly to my sling bag. It keeps my hands free while giving me fast access when the moment hits.
- Keeps my camera accessible and hands-free during live events
4. Lens Filters I Use for Creative Control
Filters are underrated, and I’ve been loving these lately:
- K&F Concept 67mm Black Diffusion 1/4 & 1/8 Mist Filters & K&F Concept 67mm White Diffusion Mist Filters
I use these for everyday vibe photography. They add a dreamy, soft glow without sacrificing detail—perfect for portraits or storytelling shots. - Tiffen 67mm 85C Filter
Great for coral-toned color grading—ideal for beach, summer, or golden-lit sets. - Tiffen 67mm 85B Filter
Similar to the 85C but warmer—helps me fine-tune tones in specific lighting conditions.
5. My Dirt Bike Photography Setup (On the Move)
One of the more unique aspects of my photography is the setup I use while riding my dirt bike. Shooting in remote areas, often mid-adventure, requires careful planning for both safety and efficiency. Here’s how I make it work:
- Backpack: I use the Nomatic Peter McKinnon Camera Pack 25L, designed specifically for photographers. It’s rugged enough to handle the rough terrain, and it has a padded compartment for my gear, making sure everything stays safe even on bumpy rides.
- Rain Cover for Camera: When the weather takes a turn, I use a rain cover to protect my camera from the elements. It’s quick to deploy and keeps the camera dry, so I can keep shooting without worrying about water damage.
- Rain Cover for Camera Bag: My camera bag is also equipped with its own rain cover. This extra layer of protection ensures that even if I’m caught in a downpour, my entire setup stays dry and secure.
During a dirt bike ride through the mountains, I literally front flipped over my handle bars and landed on my camera bag. Thanks to the hard shell case and padded interior of my camera bag, my equipment made it out of the mountains in one piece. – I, on the other hand, broke my knee that day lol.
6. Must-Have Accessories
Beyond the camera and lenses, there are a few accessories that make my life easier on every shoot:
Extra batteries and SD cards: There’s nothing worse than running out of power or storage, so I always carry backups when I’m out for a day of shooting.
- Storage: Sony Cfexpress Tough Memory Card
- Extra Batteries: K&F LP-E6NH batteries
Tripod: I use the Bonfoto B590A for steady shots, self portraits, or when I’m capturing time-lapses of landscapes.
Lens Cleaning Kit: K&F Concept 10-in-1 Camera Lens Cleaning Kit
7. My Post-Processing Setup: Turning Raw Shots Into Art
Photography doesn’t end when the shoot is over. Post-processing is where I bring the final image to life. Here’s the setup I rely on:
- Laptop: I edit on a Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 that can handle high-res files without slowing down. Having a reliable machine is key, especially when I’m working with hundreds of RAW files after a full day of shooting.
- Software: Lightroom is my go-to for organizing and basic edits, while Photoshop helps me dive deeper into detailed retouching.
My Gear at a Glance
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lenses:
- Bags:
- Accessories:
Anyways,
Finding the right camera gear is a game-changer for any photographer. Whether you’re just starting or refining your setup, investing in the right tools makes all the difference.
Have a favorite piece of gear you swear by or anything you’d recommend to me? Let’s chat in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s in your kit! And if you want to read more from me, check the links below!
Related Reads:
- Meet Kenedy Rae – Colorado Adventure Photographer & Storyteller
- How My Grandfather Inspired My Passion for Photography: My First Photoshoot Story
- My 10 Favorite Photos of 2024: Moments That Shaped My Year
- Best RF Lenses for the Canon R5: Top Picks for Every Photographer
- Canon R5 vs. Canon R5 Mark II: An In-Depth Comparison
- Is the Canon 50mm f/1.2 Worth It? My Honest Review & Real-World Test





8 responses to “What’s in My Camera Bag: My Photography Gear Setup for Concerts, Dirt Bikes & Portraits”
[…] Adventure photography demands durable, protective gear. By using the right camera gear protection solutions, such as rain covers and weatherproof camera bags, you’ll ensure your gear stays safe and functional, even in the most extreme conditions. Be prepared, and you’ll never miss a shot due to damaged gear!If you’re looking for more advice on camera gear, check out my previous post on Essential Camera Gear for Adventure Photographers where I list which equipment I use here. […]
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Great write up on your gear! Do you feel it’s important to have a different camera or two for different situations or are the lens more important for capturing the feel and idea of the situation?
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Hi, thank you so much! :) I think the lens matters more than the camera when it comes to capturing the feel and idea of a situation. The lens really shapes the mood and the overall look of the shot. That said, having two cameras can be useful in situations where you need to switch quickly between setups— like if you’re trying to photograph someone standing next to you and across the room from you at the same time, like at a wedding— or when you’re going for two completely different stylized looks—like switching between a standard DSLR camera (sharp photos) and a film camera (grainy photos.) But for most situations, I’ll usually take the time to switch between lenses while using my main, faster, higher pixel count camera body. Feel free to ask if you have more questions! 😊
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[…] If you’re building out your gear kit and curious what else I shoot with, you can check out what’s in my camera bag here. […]
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[…] What’s in My Camera Bag: My Photography Gear Setup for Concerts, Dirt Bikes & Portraits […]
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[…] Check out what photography gear I use here! […]
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[…] This lens is a core part of my kit, which I break down fully in my What’s in My Camera Bag: My Photography Gear for Concerts, Dirt Bikes & Portraits. […]
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