IN helen’s BAG

01

Canon 1d X Mark ii WEB: www.canon.co.uk

I tend to shoot with two cameras, both of which are Canon 1D X Mk II cameras. They are incredible pieces of kit with astonishing autofocus (essential for fast-moving kids) and they are brilliant in low light (useful when photographing in clients’ homes all year round). They also have phenomenal build quality, which I find helpful because my cameras often get covered in sand, water, and bubble liquid – all sorts really!

02

Canon ef 85mm f/1.4l is USM WEB: www.canon.co.uk

this lens is new but is straight on the list, because I’ve been shooting with the 85mm for years. My Canon 85mm f/1.2l has just been retired to make way for the new arrival in the Canon line up. It’s an extraordinary lens: so sharp and so fast and with truly beautiful bokeh. In fact I love it so much that after having it for only a few days I upgraded my 35mm to the latest model, too.

03

Canon ef 35mm f/1.4l ii USM WEB: www.canon.co.uk

hot on the heels of my new 85mm I upgraded my 35mm lens. I shoot 80% of my work on either the 85mm or the 35mm lens. The 35mm is my storytelling lens and I love how it encourages me to get in close to the action, or to pull back and really include the environment in my picture. This often results in some of my favourite compositions.

04

Canon ef 50mm f/1.2l USM WEB: www.canon.co.uk

the third prime lens in my arsenal and the one I turn to as soon as we go indoors. While I love the 85mm outside, when I’m photographing in my clients homes I find it can be a bit long.

I’ve always been a huge fan of the 50mm focal length, as it can really bring any kind of portrait to life. If I had to only have one Canon lens for the rest of my life, it would probably be a 50mm.

05

Black Rapid double Breathe WEB: www.blackrapid.com

shooting with two cameras means that I need a reliable camera strap, to make carrying that little bit easier. In this case, I’m a huge fan of the Black Rapid Double Breathe. They are so easy to use and the weight is incredibly distributed, so that even after a long shoot I don’t have a really nasty backache.

06

Paramo Waterproof trousers WEB: www.paramo-clothing.com

they say there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. As I work outdoors a lot all year round having the right clothes makes all the difference. Wearing these I can happily lie in the mud on a winter shoot to get the best angle, or sit for hours on damp grass to be at the same level as a toddler. I’ve had these for six years now and wear them almost constantly for six months of the year.