What Gear Does Wedding Photography Legend Bambi Cantrell Use?
With more than 25 years behind the camera, Bambi Cantrell is one of the most decorated wedding and portrait photographers in the industry.
Originally published October 10, 2018, by Brooke Arnold. Updated October 16, 2026, by PHLEARN Staff: gear shown as cards with a summary up top, plus a few common questions; Bambi’s words are unchanged.
Bambi Cantrell is a wedding and portrait photographer with more than 25 years behind the camera. Here she goes through the cameras, lens, lighting and bag she relied on in 2018, and why she keeps her kit simple.
Her impressive list of accolades – and an even more impressive portfolio – has practically made her a household name. Bambi’s photos have been seen around the world and in dozens of publications, including Martha Stewart Weddings, Ebony, Today’s Bride, and Rangefinder.
To get a better idea of how Bambi captures those stunning photos, take a look at what she keeps in her gear bag.
These days, I photograph many families, children, and women wanting a beautiful portrait of themselves. When it comes to my gear, I keep it simple. Give me a great camera, a couple of perfect lenses, and simple lighting and I am good to go.
Give me a great camera, a couple of perfect lenses, and simple lighting and I am good to go.
Bambi Cantrell
- CamerasNikon D850 and Z7
- LensNikon 105mm f/1.4E
- LightProfoto B1
- BagThink Tank Shape Shifter
25
years behind the camera
45.7
megabyte files from her Z7
3
best-selling books
Bambi Cantrell’s Cameras
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Cameras
45.7MP FX-Format BSI CMOS Sensor, 3.2″ 2.36m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
45.7MP FX-Format BSI CMOS Sensor, 493-Point Phase-Detect AF System, 3.2″ Tilting Touchscreen LCD
I’m a Nikon girl! I currently use the Nikon D850 which, in my opinion, is just about the most perfect camera ever made. I want large files and sharp-as-a-tack images, and I get that with the D850. With that said, I just got the new Nikon Z7 and am really feeling the love for it, too.
Why do I use what I do? The answer is simple. I need reliability and Nikon never lets me down. I absolutely love the large file size (the Z7 produces a 45.7 meg file!) and I need a quick focus that is accurate.
Lenses
Lenses
Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16, Three Extra Low-Dispersion Elements
My all-time favorite lens is the Nikon 105 F/1.4. All I can say is WOW! As a portrait photographer, I want sharp eyes, and want the focus to be on my subject. I believe the Nikon 105 is the perfect choice for portraits of individuals.
Lighting
Lighting
Profoto B1X 500 AirTTL Flash Head with 500Ws adjustable in 1/10 f-stop increments over a 9 f-stop power range
Lighting is the foundation of everything, in my opinion.
Lighting is the foundation of everything, in my opinion.
Bambi Cantrell
I prefer the Profoto B1 Kit. I just love the portability and reliability of the system. I need something that is going to do the job right when on assignment, and firmly believe that you get what you pay for.
Bag and Editing
Bag
I love Think Tank Photo bags, and especially love the Shape Shifter backpack for its portability.
Miscellaneous Items
Editing my images is a snap using Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop and plugins like Alien Skin. I offer a variety of albums for portraits and really find the Smart Album software a delight to use.
To see more of Bambi’s gorgeous wedding and portrait photography, visit her website or follow her on Instagram. Or, check out one of her three best-selling books, _The Art of Wedding Photography_, _The Art of Digital Wedding Photography_, and The Art of People Photography.
Common Questions About Bambi Cantrell
Who is Bambi Cantrell? One of the most decorated wedding and portrait photographers in the industry, with more than 25 years behind the camera when this article was written in 2018. Her photos have run in Martha Stewart Weddings, Ebony, Today’s Bride and Rangefinder, and she has written three best-selling books. At the time, she said she photographed many families, children and women who want a portrait of themselves.
What camera does Bambi Cantrell use? In 2018, a Nikon D850, which she calls just about the most perfect camera ever made, and the new Nikon Z7. She wants large files, sharp images and quick, accurate focus, and says Nikon never lets her down.
What is Bambi Cantrell’s favorite lens? The Nikon 105mm f/1.4. As a portrait photographer she wants sharp eyes and the focus on her subject, and she considers the 105 the right choice for portraits of individuals.
What lighting and editing tools does she use? She says lighting is the foundation of everything, and she prefers the Profoto B1 kit for its portability and reliability. She edits in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop with plugins like Alien Skin, uses Smart Album software for portrait albums, and carries it all in a Think Tank Shape Shifter backpack.
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