Candice C. Cusic
Animal & Wildlife | Last Updated: February 16, 2021
My name is Candice C. Cusic, and I am a family, wedding and pet photographer in Chicago, IL.
I was fascinated with my father’s camera at age four and fell madly in love with photography in junior high. I worked as a photojournalist for the Chicago Tribune for over a decade then left the newspaper to start my own business.
I opened my own studio a year ago, and my career took another turn from photojournalist to wedding photographer to pet photographer! Having a studio and the opportunity to photograph indoors (especially during Chicago winters) changed everything for me, and I have learned so much in a small timeframe.
I’m one of the least technical, professional photographers in the field. I capture moments using my intuition and connection to my subject. I need equipment that works together well so I can focus all of my attention on moments.
Cameras
Nikon D750 Easy, intuitive, reliable. They’re trustworthy for everything I shoot. Lightweight enough for 12-hour weddings and extremely rugged and forgiving when I’m lying in doggie drool using live view focus. The tilt-screen has been a game changer. I love getting the camera low to the ground, and this screen allows me to do this without putting my eye to the floor.
Lenses
Nikon 35mm f/1.8 This is on my camera all day for weddings and is my favorite lens. I love photographing with wide angle lenses, and the 35mm doesn’t add pesky wide-angle distortion – a big no-no with brides.
Nikon 85mm f/1.8 and Nikon 50mm f/1.4 I use the 35mm and 85mm exclusively for weddings, but, in my studio, I primarily use the 85mm and 50mm. I prefer my human and non-human subjects to look like themselves without any wide-angle tricks, and these lenses are so beautiful to work with.
Lighting
Godox XPro-N Flash Trigger with Professional Functions Support i-TTL Autoflash for Nikon DSLR Camera If I’m shooting, these triggers are on my cameras. I love the Godox/Flashpoint system for its reliability and easy communication.
The Flashpoint XPLOR 600PRO is just fantastic and my main studio light. It’s small design packs a big punch and it’s super easy to use.
Godox AD200 These were an upgrade from the speedlights (see below) and are so powerful. I own 3 and still want more.
Flashpoint Zoom Li-ion R2 Speedlight I still own 5 of these and refuse to give them up. I love being able to add a few of these in studio or on location along with the AD200s and my 600PRO… you couldn’t ask for a more seamless integration.
More
Magmods Want to have creativity in an instant? Slap on a Magmod and have fun!
Flashpoint Junior Steel Wheeled Stand – 12’ Outstanding wheeled stand at a small price!
Cambo RD-1200 Redwing Standard Light Boom I can move my light with a fingertip thanks to this magic boom.
Want to learn more about capturing strong moments? Find out more here.
www.cusicphoto.com | @cusicphoto
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