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Camera Gear, Nature Photography – Last month, I wrote about some things to consider before pursuing a career as a full or part-time freelance nature photographer. Today, I am going to continue off that post with a list of the basic camera gear needed. Gear purchases can ruin your profit margin so it is important to consider them when forming your business.

Below is a list of camera gear that will help put you in the right direction. I have also included my thoughts on each piece of gear. Please remember this is only the basics and more specialized gear will be beneficial as you advance in photography. The next photographer may disagree with my comments. 

~ ~ Camera Gear ~ ~

1) Camera purchase – When just starting out in nature photography, there is no need to have the $3,000.00 dollar Canon 5D Mark III. Consider an affordable entry-level camera* to learn photography. More than likely you will not use most of the settings the higher end professional cameras have. After a few years, when you do start using those advanced settings it will be time to upgrade to a new camera. Spend the $3000.00 then.

2) Invest in good Lenses – Good quality lenses, such as Canon L lenses*, have superior image quality, will last many years, and hold their value. If you stay with the same camera brand when you upgrade the body, the high-end lenses should fit on the new camera. The downside is many quality lenses are expensive. The point is the quality lens will be with you for many years.

3) Tripod – Many aspiring photographers try saving money by purchasing a cheap flimsy tripod only to regret purchasing it. A solid tripod and ball head* will last many years and will do wonders for producing sharp images. Investing in a tripod is just as important as investing in good lenses.

4) Filters – Nature photographers only need three types of filters* to produce imagery in most light conditions. They are the Polarizing filter, Graduated Neutral Density filters and Neutral Density filters. UV haze filters are also useful for protecting the glass in the lens. The Lee Big Stopper filter works well for creative motion blur.

5) Remote shutter switch – When working with slow shutter speeds any movement will shake the camera enough to produce a blurry image. Just pressing the shutter button will rattle the camera. Using a remote shutter switch* will end any chance of camera shake caused from pressing the shutter button. They are fairly inexpensive and worth the money.

My two cents – Here in the White Mountains of New England basic camera gear can be used to learn nature photography, but if you decide to pursue photographer as a business venture, professional quality gear will need to be considered at some point. The old saying you have to spend money to make money holds true in the photography field.

Happy image making..

Disclosure: This write-up contains affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you use that link to make a purchase.

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Erin Paul Donovan

Owner of ScenicNH Photography LLC

Erin Paul is a professional photographer, writer, and author who specializes in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the New Hampshire White Mountains. His work is published worldwide, and publication credits include: Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backpacker Magazine, and The Wilderness Society.