Halloween-Inspired Kids’ Costume Photography by Courtney Bowles
When she isn’t busy snapping pictures of weddings, newborns, and families, Virginia-based photographer Courtney Bowles turns her lens on her own children.
Originally published October 28, 2018, by Jessi Gowan. Updated October 16, 2026, by PHLEARN Staff: Courtney’s gear is now a What’s in the Bag summary with kit cards, and a few common questions are answered from her own notes; her words are unchanged.
Courtney Bowles’ kids costume photography started as a side project: near-daily photos of her two sons, often dressed as ghosts, cowboys or favorite characters. Here is the camera bag behind them, with her notes on each piece.
While she’s been working as a professional photographer for the past decade, she credits a more recent side project with helping her refine her voice as an artist – the near-daily images she’s been capturing of her kids over the last three years.
When her oldest son was born, Courtney decided to start a second Instagram account focused entirely on showcasing the fantastically whimsical shots of her children, often in the cutest costumes, even when it’s not Halloween! Dressed up as everything from ghosts and cowboys to favorite characters like Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the Power Rangers, we’re not sure who’s having more fun, the adorable models or the photographer!
Today, Courtney lets us take a look inside her gear bag and tells us about her preferred equipment to capture these magical and precious moments.
- CamerasCanon 5D Mark IV, 5D Mark III and 6D
- Favorite lensCanon EF 85mm f/1.2L
- LightsCanon 600EX and Digibee 400
3
camera bodies, one of them a backup
6
lenses, two of them tilt-shifts
2 to 4
lenses her session bag fits with two bodies
The Cameras Behind Her Kids Costume Photography
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Camera
30.4 MP full-frame CMOS sensor, Up to 7.0 frames per second continuous shooting speed, 4K video recording
DSLR camera with 22-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and wide range ISO setting of 100 – 25600
20.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor, Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 30 fps
I shoot with the Canon 5D Mark IV and 5D Mark III and have a Canon 6D as a backup. I love the color and clarity in my images taken with these cameras. My first DSLR was a Canon and I’ve continually upgraded to better models as I’ve continued to shoot.
I love the color and clarity in my images taken with these cameras.
Courtney Bowles
Lenses
Lenses
Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/16, Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System, Weather-Sealed Construction
Courtney: Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L – This lens is my workhorse, always my favorite and first pick. The compression and bokeh combination gives me the dreamy look I love.
Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/16, EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format, Super Spectra Coating
Courtney: Canon 50mm f/1.2L – I love this lens for everything. It’s used almost as often as my 85mm, and for the same reasons.
Micro UltraSonic Motor (USM), Ultra-low Dispersion glass with Fluorite elements, inner focusing ring, telephoto lens
Courtney: Canon 135mm f/2L – This lens I love for portraits and when I need to be farther away from my subjects, like with shy children. The compression and sharpness are unmatched.
Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22, Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System, Weather-Sealed Design
Courtney: Canon 24-70mm f/4L – I use this lens primarily for newborn studio sessions. It is sharp and quick, and has a built-in macro function.
EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format, Aperture Range: f/3.5 to f/22, Locking Tilt-Shift Mechanism
Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22, Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System, Weather-Sealed Design
Courtney: Canon 24mm Tilt-Shift and 90mm Tilt-Shift – I typically use these on wedding days for a different version of the bridal party shot or to add some dreaminess in portraits. I also love the 24mm for landscape and wide-detail shots.
This lens is my workhorse, always my favorite and first pick.
Courtney Bowles
Lighting
Lighting
2.4 GHz Wireless Radio Transmission, Compatible with Canon E-TTL / E-TTL II
Courtney: Canon Speedlite 600EX – This is the flash I use at every wedding. This, along with the MagMod diffusers and Yongnuo triggers, make using off-camera flash extremely easy.
Paul C Buff Digibee 400 – This is my studio light. I love it, because it provides beautiful and consistent lighting conditions and is easy to use.
PixelStick – I use this rarely, for light painting and fun effects.
Bag and Straps
Pelican 1510 Case – I love this case for wheeling around all my gear on wedding days.
Kelly Moore Jude Bag – I take this bag to every session. It fits two camera bodies and two to four lenses easily.
Holdfast Gear Moneymaker two-camera strap and a solo strap – The most comfortable straps I’ve ever worn. They take all the stress off of my neck.
Courtney’s delightfully inspired portraits of her children capture exactly what it feels like to be a kid – learning, discovering, and creating. You can see more photographs of her children on her personal Instagram, or visit her professional Instagram account to see her wedding and fine art portraiture. Her work can also be found on her website.
Courtney’s delightfully inspired portraits of her children capture exactly what it feels like to be a kid – learning, discovering, and creating.
Jessi Gowan
Common Questions About Courtney Bowles’ Kids Costume Photography
What camera does Courtney Bowles use? She shoots with a Canon 5D Mark IV and a 5D Mark III, with a Canon 6D as a backup. She says she loves the color and clarity of these cameras, and her first DSLR was a Canon too.
Which lens does she use most for portraits of her kids? The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L, her workhorse and first pick, because its compression and bokeh give her the dreamy look she loves. Her 50mm f/1.2L comes out almost as often. For shy children, she uses the 135mm f/2L so she can stand farther away.
What lighting does she use? A Canon Speedlite 600EX with MagMod diffusers and Yongnuo triggers for off-camera flash, which she uses at every wedding; a Paul C Buff Digibee 400 as her studio light; and, rarely, a PixelStick for light painting.
Where can you see more of her costume photos? On her second Instagram account, @courtneyathome, which she started when her oldest son was born. Her wedding and fine art portraits are on her professional account and her website.
