What's in Her Bag: Jaye McLaughlin of The Life In Your Years Photography

29 Oct What's in Her Bag: Jaye McLaughlin of The Life In Your Years Photography

Tell us a little about what’s inside.
My well-loved, well-worn bag for sessions is the Kelly Moore Libby in lavender. I always pack it up the night before a session so that the pre-session jitters are less likely to keep me up at night or, worse, cause me to have crazy stress dreams. In go both camera bodies with batteries and 32G memory cards checked, all my lenses, my Hold Fast Moneymaker strap, the client folder (which contains the questionnaire they’ve completed beforehand) and my little bag of tricks.

Bodies: Two Canon 5D Mark IIIs
Lenses: Canon 35 1.4
Canon 50 1.2
Canon 24-70 2.8
Canon 70-200 2.8
Strap: Hold Fast Moneymaker
Extras: My wallet holds money and credit cards, my phone, a lipstick, a pen, a hair-tie and a stack of business cards. My bag of tricks contains tissues, lens cloths, small toys, party horns and multiple snack bags holding a few mini marshmallows each. The other pockets of the bag hold lens pens, extra memory cards and my notebook.

(Not pictured in the overhead shot are the second body and the 24-70, which I used to take the photo.)
Which lens is your go-to?
The Hold Fast Moneymaker strap makes answering this question unnecessary! (Perfect for this indecisive girl). I always shoot with two bodies, and the lenses I choose depends on whether I’m inside (usually the 35 and the 24-70) or outside (usually the 50 and the 70-200). I’ve always said that my 35 mm is my favorite, but lately it’s been ousted by the 24-70 — the color’s not as good and it’s probably not quite as sharp, but you just can’t beat the versatility for families with little kids.

Most used item in your bag?
I love my little notebook. Scribbling ideas before each session and recording lessons learned at each session afterward are my way of solidifying what would otherwise be fleeting thoughts. Spending the time before and after each session to reflect and review is my way of making sure that I’m constantly growing as a photographer.
Least used item in your bag?
Probably that little mermaid and the other little toys in my bag of tricks. I’ve found that while these things sometimes work initially to grab a little kid’s interest, pulling them out often backfires as the kiddo insists on having the toy — and it ends up being in the photos. Much better to keep kiddos engaged and on their toes are the super-festive party horns (how can you not laugh?) and a few mini marshmallows (“Everybody lie on the floor together — let’s see if you can catch this when I drop it!”).
 
Thank you, Jaye, for showing us what’s in your bag! We may have to ‘steal’ your marshmallow idea.