My Favorite Gear for Branding Photography (Perfect for Beginners!)

If you’re just stepping into the world of branding photography…welcome! It’s one of the most rewarding and creative niches in photography. From capturing boss babes in their element to shooting flat lays, behind-the-scenes candids, and polished headshots, the right gear makes a huge difference.

After shooting dozens of brand sessions over the years, I’ve built a kit that’s light, flexible, and perfect for everything from in-home shoots to studio setups and coffee shop sessions.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your setup, here’s my list of must-have branding photography gear — beginner-friendly but totally pro-approved. I’ve included affiliate links so you can easily shop the gear I trust most (at no extra cost to you!).

But first here’s a quick list of what I used for my recent branding session. Read on to get some more in-depth recommendations. A lot of the items lister here have recommendations for the light stand I am already using, but I’m also including some more beginner friendly kits that include the accessories needed to get started.

To take your own branding photos you’re going to need: A camera, a light source (window, flash, light stand + soft box, light stand + strobe, a tripod or second light stand, and potentially a mount or any accessories for your stands depending on what set up you do). They make all sorts of accessories for light stands to make them multi functual so I listed some of those in this blog post.

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To give you an idea, here are some lighting set up combinations you could do:

A: Using window light only

B: Using a light stand, tripod, and soft box

B. Using a light stand, tripod, and strobe

D. Using a tripod, strobe or light box kit

E. Use a tripod and ring lights

THE QUICK BUY LIST:

Canon R6 Camera Body (My favorite mirrorless camera!)

Weilisi Large Ring Light with 79″ Stand (spotlight/ ring light- the most budget friendly option.)

Impact Keygrip Baby Folder Roller 3-Stage Stand (11′) (This is the light stand I use- it’s super heavy duty- you’re going to need accessories if you purchase this instead of a kit that includes the soft box or strobe.)

Manfrotto 1004BAC 144″ Air Cushioned Aluminum Master Light Stand (A more affordable light stand only option.)

Mactrem Travel Tripod Stand (This is my backup tripod that I use to mount my iPhone, It is a great price and light weight- I do wish it was a little taller but they make one here!)

NEEWER Stainless Steel Light Stand, Heavy Duty Tripod Stand with Caster Wheels, 2 Sliding Arms with Pistol Grip (A budget light stand kit that includes the sliding arms and pistol grips for soft boxes and strobes.)

Flashpoint RB-PG Steel Wheeled Pistol Grip Stand with Extra Grip (Another light stand that includes one pistol grip for a soft box or strobe.)

KITS:

NEEWER 700W Equivalent Softbox Lighting Kit (A budget friendly continuous lighting kit for beginners.)

Godox Professional Studio Flash Kit (A budget friendly strobe lighting kit for beginners.)

ACCESSORIES:

Newer Light Stand Mount Adapter (Use on the top of your light stand if you’re using one).

Tripod Ball Head with Hot Shoe (You can use this as an alternative adapter, or on the hot shoe of your phone to take a behind the scenes footage with your iPhone).

Camera Hot Shoe Phone Holder (This is what you would use with the item above to set up your Iphone on your camera, or alternatively you can use the Tripod Ball Head with Hot Shoe and a second stand.)

WHAT’S IN MY CAMERA BAG/ THE ESSENTIALS:

📸 Camera Body: Canon EOS R6 (or R6 Mark II)

For branding work, I love a camera that delivers high-quality images, handles natural light beautifully, and works fast — because sometimes, you’re capturing a client mid-laugh or catching that golden-hour glow. The Canon EOS R6 hits all those marks.

Why it works great for branding:

• Gorgeous skin tones straight out of camera
• Dual card slots = instant backup
• Silent shutter (great for behind-the-scenes shots)
• Excellent autofocus — even with moving subjects

🛒 Shop the Canon EOS R6 on Amazon

Go-To Lenses for Branding Photography

1. Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L

This is my hero lens for portraits. It gives you that beautiful blurred background, sharp subject focus, and a natural-looking perspective — great for everything from headshots to lifestyle shots.

🛒 Get the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L

2. Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS

This little lens is a branding photographer’s dream. It’s wide enough to capture your client in their workspace, and because it has macro capabilities, you can also shoot product close-ups or flat lays in the same session.

🛒 Grab the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8

3. Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS

This one is great if you want some extra compression for more editorial-style portraits. It’s flattering, sharp, and also has macro capabilities for detail shots like jewelry, products, or props.

🛒 Check out the Canon RF 85mm f/2

3. Godox V1 Flash

Natural light is amazing — and I use it whenever I can. For my Branding photos I mainly use a continuous light paired with natural light. But if you’re shooting indoors or want to control your light for a more polished look, the Godox V1 Flash with a small softbox or diffuser will level up your shots instantly.

Why it’s great for branding:

• Portable and lightweight
• Soft, flattering light with modifiers
• Can be used on-camera or off-camera
• Rechargeable battery lasts all day

🛒 Buy the Godox V1 Flash

Essential Accessories

1. SD Cards – SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB

Reliable and fast, these SD cards have never let me down, even during back-to-back sessions.

🛒 Get SanDisk Extreme Pro SD Cards

2. Portable Stool or Step Ladder

Great for elevating your angles or giving your client something to pose on. I keep a lightweight, foldable one in my trunk at all times.

🛒 Browse Portable Stools

3. Newer Light Stand Mount Adapter

The Neewer Light Stand Mount Adapter is a must-have tool for any photographer or content creator using off-camera lighting. Designed to fit most standard light stands, this adapter features a universal cold shoe mount that securely holds external flashes, LED lights, microphones, or other accessories.

🛒 Newer Light Stand Mount Adapter

4. Weilisi Large Ring Light with 79″ Stand

A budget-friendly spotlight and ring light combo that’s perfect for branding sessions, content creation, or video calls. With adjustable brightness and color temperatures, plus a tall, sturdy stand, it’s an affordable way to get flattering, even lighting anywhere you shoot.

🛒 Weilisi Large Ring Spot Light

Whether you’re just starting your branding photography journey or refining your current setup, the gear you use should support your creativity — not complicate it. Every item on this list has helped me capture confident, on-brand images for my clients in a variety of environments, from cozy home offices to bright studios and bustling coffee shops.

The best part? You don’t need everything all at once. Start with the essentials, grow as you go, and invest in the tools that align with your shooting style and client needs.

Got a favorite piece of gear I didn’t mention? Have questions about building your kit or styling your shoots? Drop a comment below or send me a message — I love helping other photographers level up.

Until next time, keep creating magic. ✨

-Katrina