Cameras, Lenses, Business!

What is your name/business name, where are you based and how long have you been in business?

Dru Dodd Photography and I am based in the beautiful Northumberland coast in the UK. I have been shooting weddings since 2010.

What genre of photography do you do?

Primarily weddings. I started off shooting landscapes and evolved from there. I like to incorporate landscapes into my wedding photography. I do commercial photography also.

Tell us more about your photography and business journey...

I got into photography following graduating from university and having a year out before I started a PhD in Molecular Genetics. It wad the 1st year in my life I wasn't learning anything and I needed something to stimulate me! I bought an Olympus E410 and started taking photographs and learning about photography. During my PhD I was bullied into photographing someone's wedding and when I came to the end I decided to register as a business whilst I was writing my thesis. I didn't think I'd still be a photographer today back then!

What camera bodies do you currently shoot on?

I currently shoot on Sony. I started with Olympus, moved to Canon and then moved to Sony when mirrorless came out. For weddings I shoot on 2x A9II, for landscapes and commercial I shoot on an A7RV and I have an A7III as a back up body which I carry everywhere with me with a 35mm so I can document everyday life, just for me.

What are your current lenses?

I own too many lenses! I have a range from the Canon 11-24 through to Sony 16-35, 24-70 and 70-200 zooms, a good selection of primes and then the Tamron 50-400. I use zooms if I can use flash, but primes if I need to use natural light only.

If you had to only use one lens on a shoot, what lens would it be?

Probably the Sony 24-70 GM II. It covers so much and is such a good all rounder. If Sony brought out an f2 zoom I'd be tempted to sell a lot of my kit and shoot on that.

Do you have a drone? If so, what one and when do you use it?

I have a DJI Mini 3 Pro, I dont use it very often though, its a toy for fun more than anything really for me.

Do you have a go-to brand for your memory cards?

I've only ever used SanDisk. In all honesty I wouldn't buy anything else now as I trust them.

Flash! Ahhhh!

What flashes/strobes do you currently use? How many of each do you have?

I'm a Godox guy through and through. I have:

2 x V860III's

2x V1

1x V860II

4 x AD200's (the best investment you can make for OCF)

3x AD600's

What brand and model of triggers do you use?

I use the XPro trigger although I do use the V860III as a trigger a lot due to the modelling light. I wish Godox would make a trigger with a LED light incorporated!!!!!

Flash Modifiers and Light Stands

What modifiers do you currently have?

I have a bit of a crazy collection. I mainly use 2x Magbox Pro 24 and. 1x Magbox Pro 42 due to their speed.

I also have total of 12 softboxes ranging from 90cm to 180cm, as well as shoot through and reflector umbrellas. I have a eye lighter reflector panel for doing professional head shots.

I have a lot of Magmod stuff for weddings including:

8 x Magmod grids

3 x Magmod Magsphere

8 x gel holders

Magmod Mag Gels x 1000 ish! hahaha!

2x Magbounce

What is the one modifier you couldn't live without and why?

For all the equipment I have I actually think the MagGrids are the modifier I couldn't be without! They control the light so much.

Let's not forget our trusty light stands and what you use to attach your flashes to them!

I use Magod MagShoes to attach everything to 3m air cushioned light stands. They're so old the branding has rubbed off them but they have wide bases so are really sturdy. I keep them all in a fishing rod bag that I got from Aldi. LOL!

Camera Bags

How do you carry your cameras on your person?

I made my own leather harness. I enjoy making things myself and its the exact length I need. Since mirrorless I use the back screens a lot so I made the sliders a bit longer. I like that the cameras are always attached to me unlike belts for example.

When your kit isn't attached to your body, how do you safely transport it? What is your bag(s) of choice?

For weddings I use a Vanguard 62T roller bag and a WNRD 9L Sling bag for my gear. For everything else, light stands, softboxes etc I have a camping trolley that I can throw everything in. It means everything is in one place and I only need to go to my car once.

What would people find in your camera bags that isn't really photography related?

Sewing kits! These have saved so many Brides and Grooms over the years.

Money, Money, Money!

What was your most expensive photography purchase?

My Sony A9II

What would you consider the biggest waste of money you have spent on your business?

Buying the Canon 5dMk4 which couldn't focus properly. It's what pushed me to Sony.

If someone gifted you $5000 to spend on your business, what would you invest it in?

Definitely the Sony A9III. The global shutter looks incredible and being able to use lower powered lights in bright conditions means I could retire the bigger and heavier flashes on a wedding day.

Equally, if you were gifted $500 to spend on your business, what would you spend it on?

A workshop. Someone teaching you a new technique will get you a lot more better photos than a new piece of kit!