Inside My Camera Bag | Chio Garcia

Hola! My name is Chio García! I’m a Mexican photographer documenting weddings since 2010. I g0t into destination wedding photography when I was living in Los Cabos, BCS, México. I’m based in Querétaro, Mx, but all my weddings happen around the country. I absolutely love to photograph the in-between moments that happen when people pose.

Basically, I’ve been working with Nikon for about 10 years, but my equipment has changed over time. I’ve used Nikon D600, Nikon D610, Nikon D700, and the last one and favourite: Nikon D750.

My favourite Nikon lenses are Nikon 24mm f/2.8, Nikon 28mm f/1.8, and Nikon 35mm f/1.8. I used to bring my Nikon 85mm f/1.8 but I prefer to be close to my subjects so this one stays at home now.

Around October 2016, I decided to try the Fuji X-T2 and I just love it. I use the Fuji 56mm f/1.2 and Fuji 23mm f/1.4 (review). I love this camera because of the weight and also for the system. Lately, I’m just shooting with one camera (Nikon D750) and I leave the Fuji X-T2 as a backup.

I’m also an owner of a Sony A7III, but I’m not bringing this one to the weddings yet as I’ve been working pretty fine matching Nikon and Fuji. Maybe one day I’ll change to just one brand or maybe just to mirrorless, who knows?

I’m a natural and ambient light photographer. But of course, when light is very low I work with an external flash. I use the YN 560IV and it works perfectly.

I used to carry a Manfrotto light stand but as all my weddings happen around México I’m always looking to bring the least and lighter equipment possible, that’s why I changed to a Manfrotto monopod, very easy to carry, to use with one hand, and to put in the bag.

I’m also bringing a Manfrotto Nano Clamp if I need to hold my flash in one place. One of my favourite acquisitions is the Manfrotto Lumimuse LED. It’s powerful, USB chargeable, and you can keep it on your pants pocket.

I work on a Windows system, on a Lenovo YOGA 900, very light and practical. I put everything in a Nikon compact backpack, perfect to carry on the plane and to go unnoticed. When I work with two cameras I bring my brown leather straps (IT straps). When I use just one camera I put on a single black strap.

I bring with me two packs of rechargeable batteries for the lights. Three Fuji batteries and three Nikon batteries, perfect for an average 10-hour wedding. A pen brush to clean the gear and that’s it!

I work with Lightroom to post-process, Photo Mechanic to select the pictures, and JPEGmini PRO to resize photos.

All this is to complete my mission of taking photos and delivering to the client, but my most important acquisition is my shoes. These need to be comfy and I found Skechers as the best option.

Even if women’s styles are not the cutest, I prefer comfort and weight and this brand is the best. A snack is always in my bag. A chocolate and nuts energy bar and spicy Mexican goodies sometimes ;)

Something I learned over 10 years working as a wedding photographer (apart from wearing comfy shoes) is to let myself go with the flow. I used to look for a specific photo and if it didn’t go as I wanted it frustrated me, but now it is different.

I only document what happens with or without natural light. If the moment is there, there’s always a way to capture it. In the end, it is about documenting and preserving the moments just as they happen.

www.chiogarcia.com | @weddingsbychio