What’s In My Concert Photography Gear Kit (Gear I Actually Use)

Let’s be honest—gear talk can be overwhelming. Everyone’s recommending $6,000 lenses or massive multi-body setups. But I’m a full-time concert photographer, and my kit is much simpler than you might think.

Here’s what I actually bring to shows, what I leave behind, and what’s never failed me in the pit.

Here it is - my actual concert photography gear kit. Nothing fancy, just reliable tools I use every night to capture the chaos and beauty of live music.

My Concert Photography Gear Kit:

🎥 1. My Main Camera Body

Canon EOS R6 Mark II - This is my current workhorse. The low-light performance is incredible, which makes it ideal for concerts and dark venues. It handles fast-moving artists and quick lighting shifts like a dream.

📸 2. My Go-To Lenses

Canon 50mm f/1.8 (aka the Nifty Fifty) - Still my tried-and-true favorite lens. It’s light, fast, and gives me that crisp, emotional feel I love in my photos—especially in chaotic lighting.

Canon 24–105mm f/4 (kit lens) - I keep this on my Canon EOS R, which I now use as a backup body. It’s versatile for wider shots or those rare times I need a bit more zoom without changing lenses mid-show.

🎒 3. My Camera Bag

A small, durable crossbody bag - I don’t carry everything into the pit—just what I need. A bag that keeps my hands free and gear protected is essential.

🎧 4. Earplugs

High-fidelity concert earplugs (like Eargasm or Loop Pro) - I never shoot a show without them. Protecting your hearing is non-negotiable if you’re doing this long-term.

🔋 5. Extras I Always Pack

• Extra memory cards

• Extra batteries

• Microfiber cloth (for sweat, fog, or haze gunk)

• Snacks or water for long nights

❌ What I Leave Behind

• A giant backpack full of gear I might use

• Flash (never allowed anyway)

• Tripods or monopods

• Anything that’ll make me slower or take up unnecessary space in the pit

🧠 Final Thoughts

You don’t need the biggest, fanciest concert photography gear kit to be a great music photographer. What matters is knowing your tools, working fast in weird light, and staying out of the way while still getting the shot.

Everything in my kit is practical, tested, and used constantly—and I wouldn’t recommend anything I don’t actually bring to work.