Recommendations
what I use
Lenses:
Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 - Nikon Z mounts
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4vrXioT
Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 - Sony E mounts
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4eTklDX
Kase 85mm F1.4 - Sony E or Nikon Z, Fuji X and Sony E mounts
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4rxqVE1
Kase Revolution Plus Master Magnetic Filters - Kit includes ND and CPL filters
72mm for the Kase 88mm F1.4
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4peuQFq
Lights:
Strobes and Speedlights
Neewer Q4 400Ws 2.4G TTL Flash
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/44UAHGm
Godox AD400 Pro II - Outdoor Flash Strobe with HSS
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/3MIMLoW
Godox V100 - Nikon, Sony, Canon, Fuji and Olympus mounts
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4qPyapF
Godox X3-N TTL Wireless Flash Trigger for Nikon, Canon, Sony, Fuji and Leica Cameras - works with Neewer Q4
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/46jQaB5
LED Constant Lights
Neewer FS300C 300W RGB LED Video Light
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4aJeEpD
Neewer HB80C 80W RGBWW Mini COB LED Video Light
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/3T88glJ
Nanlite 300B Bi-Color COB LED Video Light
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4vtndMN
Light Modifiers and Backgrounds:
Glow EZ Lock 34" Collapsible Silver Beauty Dish Softbox
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4tGTFeR
Kate Collapsible Backdrop Audition Backdrop 5x6.5’ White/Black
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/3QQ2lRL
Westcott 4634 7-Feet White with Black Cover Parabolic Umbrella
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4yeOt48
Godox UB-165S 65″ (165 cm) Silver Parabolic Umbrella
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4fctrdW
Accessories:
DataColor - Datacolor LightColor Meter
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4f5NaMe
Whibal G7 Certified Neutral White Balance Pocket Card
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4oiWuRj
Lightdow 12 x 12" White Balance 18% Gray Reference Reflector Grey Card
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/3ZPxF3T
ExpoDisc v3 Professional White Balance Filter (82mm)
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4c8p0Rw
Westcott 8" Shorty Offset Extension Arm for Flash
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4rxyCdn
Neewer 77” Camera Tripod TP77 - Used as a lightstand with leveling legs 34lb Max Load
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/46eZuWX
SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 2TB External Solid State Drive
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4rZihhf
SMALLRIG 2400mAh Replacement USB-C Camera Battery for Nikon EN-EL15C
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4tJNXcc
Foldable Mirror by Shinowa - Shatter-Proof Acrylic Hanging Mirror with Handle, 33x13
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4graPcl
Collapsible Stool - by NUMANU - Cushioned Carry Bag, 2.5"-18" Height Adjustable Max 620lbs
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4h6HNPq
Tethering Cable USB-C - 16.5FT by GeoHN.G
Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4f8rJKC
AZPPA Dance Photography Workbook
Software:
Ultimate Skin Retouching
Like Evoto, but no per image fees
https://skylum.evyy.net/c/3212871/2166156/3255
Photoshop actions and standalone app - Amazing retouching!
https://retouch4.me/?utm_source=partner&promocode=tomcheswick20
Get 30 free credits for new customers: evoto.ai/c/Tom50
Everyone can use this Save 20% coupon code: Tom20
Favorite Presets!
Save 20% using the links below
CM Portraits Professional Workflow:
CM Fashion & Editorial:
CM DigiFilm Portraits 2.0:
DISCLOSURE: We often review or link to products & services we regularly use and think you might find helpful. Wherever possible we use referral links, which means if you click one of the links on this website or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation.
We're big fans of Amazon, and many of our links to products/gear are links to those products on Amazon. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and related sites.
As a working portrait photographer, I get a lot of questions about the gear and software I use. This page is a curated list of my favorite tools — from cameras and lighting to editing software — along with exclusive discount links where available. These are the same tools I trust every day for headshots, senior portraits, dance sessions, and event coverage. I only recommend what I actually use and believe in.
If you're looking to level up your workflow or save on quality gear, you're in the right place!
Want to Join PPA and save $35 - https://www.ppa.com/join/member-2-member
Copy and Paste link above, enter Thomas Cheswick in the referral box