First I want to say... great photos don’t come from fancy gear alone. They come from connection, trust, and feeling comfortable in front of the camera. My gear just helps me tell those stories clearly and consistently.

My Camera Body...

Welcome to my blog, where I share stories from maternity, family, couples, and wedding sessions and more.

Photography by Melody...a Couples and Portrait photographer in Statesville and Mooresville NC. I can't wait to meet you.

I currently shoot with the Canon 5D Mark IV. I love it because it’s reliable, handles low light really well, and allows me to stay focused on people instead of settings.

I chose this camera because it fits my shooting style... calm, natural, and focused on real moments rather than perfection.

I got this camera used from my very talented aunt @Julia Renae Photography. I've had since 2024 I believe. I am actually so bad with dates.

I also have a back up camera that I occasionally use. Mainly during weddings. Its my Canon 90D. I bought it brand spankin new in 2022.

My Camera Lenses...

Photography by Melody...a Couples and Portrait photographer in Statesville and Mooresville NC. Oh no... my gear broke.

My lenses are honestly where the magic happens. I keep things simple and use a small rotation of lenses that help me capture genuine emotion and soft light.

My Canon 50mm Lens — This is my favorite for portraits, couples, maternity. I love how it creates soft backgrounds and feels really timeless.

My Sigma 35mm Lens — I use this one when I want a little more flexibility or need to capture movement and connection. I love getting wide angles with this lens. I am hoping to add an 85mm and a 24-70mm to my inventory soon 🤞🏻

This image above happened to me while I was taking photos for my church one Sunday. I was walking down an isle and my camera strap caught on the corner of one of the chairs and snatched the camera out of my hands and fell on the floor. Thankfully I had another lens with me, but I was so sad it broke. I also don't keep a strap on my camera now lol.

My Bags...

I use two different camera bags. I like my bags to feel practical and comfortable — something I can move in easily without feeling weighed down or distracted.

When I first started Photography by Melody I bought a cheap bag off amazon. I wanted a backpack specifically, because I was doing a little bit of traveling and I wanted to be able to cary it easy int the airport. For the same reason I wanted a bag that you could only access my gear from the bag of the bag, that way no one could steal anything while it was on me. No pickpocket's were able to get to it without me knowing lol. I was able to find a really cute green bag with the back compartment. It was the Zecti Camera Travel Bag. Sadly you are not able to find them on amazon anymore. Ive only been able to find them on eBay and Poshmark now.

I have been using this Zecti bag for years and i've loved her, but she's due for an upgrade. I have been gifted a Viking Trident bag and i'm really excited to use it. Its got plenty of storage, its weather resistant, and its also a backpack so it will be easy to travel with.

What’s in My Camera Bag...

Inside my camera bags, you’ll usually find:

My camera body — always within reach and ready to go.
My lenses — my go-to options that cover most situations so I can move quickly without overthinking.
Extra batteries — because running out mid-session is not the vibe.
Memory cards — I always bring backups for peace of mind.
A camera strap — 😅 Rarely use this...don't want another lens to break.

Depending on the session, I might also toss in: