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Software & Tools

LIGHTING

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Over the years, I’ve found myself sending the same links to sweet clients and fellow photographers who ask, “Where did you get that?” or “What do you actually use?” So I pulled it all together here—everything I genuinely love, use, and recommend.

Whether you're just starting out as a photographer trying to streamline your workflow, or just looking for fun new things to add to your collection—I’ve got you. These aren’t just pretty things. They’re the real-life tools, comforts, and small joys that help me (and my clients) feel a little more supported.

Most of these links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase—but I only ever share what I truly believe in. 

a collection of tools i couldn't live without

Software & Tools

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Batch editing without the burnout.

Toggl helps me track how long I spend on everything—from editing and culling to email replies and admin tasks. It’s eye-opening (and super helpful!) when figuring out where your time actually goes. Great for staying efficient—or justifying that outsourced editing. 

HoneyBook keeps everything in one place—from inquiries and contracts to invoices and workflows. I use it to send proposals, automate emails, and keep my bookings organized without a million tabs open. It’s like having a virtual assistant… without the payroll.

Flodesk is my favorite tool for sending newsletters and automations that actually look on-brand. It’s super easy to use, drag-and-drop friendly, and helps me keep in touch with clients between sessions. Beautiful emails + zero tech headaches? Yes, please.

Evoto is my go-to for smart, AI-powered retouching. I use it to batch edit skin, remove flyaways, and keep tones consistent across galleries. It cuts editing time way down without sacrificing that hand-edited feel. Perfect for when you’ve got 3 sessions to deliver and nap time’s ticking. 

I built my site on Showit and never looked back. It’s drag-and-drop, totally customizable, and doesn’t require any coding. Whether you’re tweaking your homepage or launching a whole new brand—it makes the process fun (seriously). Bonus: it plays beautifully with WordPress for blog SEO too.

Pic-Time makes it easy to share beautiful, branded galleries with your clients. I love how clean it looks, how easy it is for families to view (and print!), and how much control I have over the experience. Their store setup makes selling prints feel effortless.

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Godox AD 400 Pro

Godox AD 400 Pro

This is the heavy hitter in my gear lineup. The AD400Pro gives me gorgeous, consistent light for every session—whether I’m photographing newborns, families, or mamas-to-be. I love its soft falloff and how easy it is to use with my favorite modifiers.

Main studio flash

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Godox AD200 Pro

Godox AD200 Pro

This is the little light that could. I use the AD200Pro most often as a fill light or rim light—adding that subtle glow behind a subject or gently evening out shadows when I need just a bit more light in the scene. Perfect for those extra layers of light that take a setup from simple to stunning.

secondary lighting

Godox Trigger for Cannon

Godox Trigger for Cannon

This little remote is how I control all my lights without leaving my camera. It connects everything seamlessly and lets me adjust my light settings mid-session—because when I’m photographing a family, I don’t want to miss a moment.

trigger for your camera

Wescott 7ft Parabolic Umbrella

Wescott 7ft Parabolic Umbrella

This umbrella is huge—and it creates the softest, most flattering light ever. It’s my favorite for newborns or bigger family groupings in the studio. Plus, it’s quick to set up and looks beautiful in action.

my favorite newborn modifier

Westcott Umbrella Diffuser Cover

Westcott Umbrella Diffuser Cover

Paired with the umbrella, this diffuser takes soft light to the next level. It smooths everything out, which is perfect when photographing newborns or those delicate skin tones we all want to preserve just as they are. I personally use two!

Creating the softest light

godox 47in Octobox

godox 47in Octobox

This is one of my go-to modifiers in the studio when I want more controlled lighting. It’s big (120cm) and wraps light beautifully around your subject. Comes with a diffuser, grid, and mount—basically everything I need to create that soft, glowy magic you see in my portfolio.

directional, soft light

Godox 13X63 Stripboxes (set of 2)

Godox 13X63 Stripboxes (set of 2)

These strip softboxes are my secret for adding highlights or rim lighting. I use them often when I want just a kiss of light on hair or shoulders—especially during studio maternity sessions. They help shape the light exactly how I want it.

secondary lighting

Godox S-Type Speedlite Bracket

Godox S-Type Speedlite Bracket

This adapter lets me use my softboxes and other modifiers with my portable lights like the AD200. It’s such a helpful little tool for keeping my setup flexible while still creating that signature soft light I love. You can also use it for speedlights!

mount for modifiers and ad200

Barndoors w/ Honeycomb Grids

Barndoors w/ Honeycomb Grids

This tool helps me get super intentional with my lighting—especially when I want to add a pop of drama or highlight a specific part of the frame. It gives me control and contrast, which I love for more stylized studio looks. I also use these to add gel colors to my images.

add gel lighting!

Flashpoint 11' Rolling Stand

Flashpoint 11' Rolling Stand

This rolling stand is a workhorse in the studio—it holds my biggest lights and modifiers safely, and I can glide it around the space effortlessly. It’s all about making the setup seamless so I can stay focused on capturing my clients.

Maternity lighting- made easy

Lighting

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Newborns

milestones

maternity

cAKE SMASH

NEWBORNS

Milestones

MATERNITY

CAKE SMASH

The Baby Shusher mimics the rhythmic “shhh” sound that naturally soothes babies (just like we do!). I keep it nearby during every newborn session to help lull baby to sleep and keep them calm between poses.

They’re soft, lightweight, and super similar to the ones used in hospitals—so most babies take to them right away. I always keep a few on hand (they come individually wrapped and sanitized!) just in case parents forget theirs or baby needs a little extra soothing between shots.

The Momcozy bottle warmer makes feeding during sessions quick and low-stress. Whether baby’s bottle-fed or just needs a little top-off to settle, this warmer heats milk quietly and evenly without disrupting the flow of the shoot.
It’s one of those thoughtful touches that helps parents feel cared for and keeps the session running smoothly.

This little vibrating pad helps soothe fussy babies and ease them into sleep—especially during outfit changes or tricky transitions. I slip it under a blanket or wrap and let it work its magic while I keep shooting.

This simple stand keeps all my tiebacks organized, untangled, and easy to see at a glance. It makes picking the perfect headband quick and effortless during sessions (especially when baby is already posed and ready).

I use a simple three-tier rolling cart to keep everything I need—wraps, pacis, wipes, posing tools—within arm’s reach. It moves easily around the studio so I’m never scrambling or stepping away from baby.

Having everything accessible keeps the session flowing smoothly and lets me stay fully focused on capturing those tiny, perfect details.

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THE PERFECT 
BOTTLE WARMER

SHUSHING NOISE MACHINE

3 TIERED ROLLING CART

TIEBACK ORGANIZER

SOOTHING VIBRATING PADDLE

INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED PACIS

NEWBORNS

MILESTONES

MATERNITY

CAKE SMASH

newborns

milestones

maternity

cake smash

I use these kid-sized hangers to keep my client closet tidy and visually organized. Outfits are easier to see, coordinate, and grab quickly—which is key when babies are on the move.

A little detail that keeps everything looking (and feeling) professional.

This wall-mounted holder keeps my seamless paper rolls organized and easy to use—perfect for quickly switching out colors between milestone sessions. It’s built for standard rolls, keeping them clean, wrinkle-free, and ready to go.

This wooden toy train is a favorite in my milestone sessions. Its natural tones keep it photo-friendly, and babies love pushing it along or picking up the little pieces. It keeps them engaged just long enough for those real, candid moments to shine.

This low, sturdy stool is one of my favorite tools for 6–12 month sessions—especially for babies who are starting to pull up and stand with support. It gives them something safe to hold onto while we capture that proud little stance and all those milestone grins.

This stacking rainbow is as functional as it is adorable. I use it during milestone sessions to give curious hands something to explore—and it photographs beautifully with its soft, muted tones. It’s the perfect touch of playful, especially for those 6–9 month sitters.

This go-to outfit is always hanging in my client closet. A soft, neutral romper that photographs beautifully and lets baby’s personality shine through. No distractions, no fuss—just those squishy legs and sweet expressions front and center. Perfect for a minimalist milestone look.

kid sized hangers

wooden train

backdrop holder

a short stool for standing

a stacking rainbow

a simple romper

NEWBORNS

MILESTONES

MATERNITY

CAKE
SMASH

newborns

milestones

maternity

cakesmash

This is my go-to backdrop for studio maternity. The soft gray tone photographs beautifully as-is, but can also be easily adjusted in post—make it darker, cooler, or even tone-shifted to match your aesthetic. It’s a perfect neutral base that works with any client wardrobe and lighting setup.

I keep a soft, neutral robe on hand for every maternity session. It’s perfect for clients to wear between sets or right before transitioning into an implied nude pose. It helps them feel comfortable, covered, and relaxed—which always leads to better photos.


I use a simple jewelry organizer to showcase all of my favorite pieces in one place. Having everything laid out makes it easy for clients to choose accessories that complement their look—without slowing down the flow of the session. Just one more way to make your styling feel effortless and refined.

This compact tent makes outfit changes easy and private—no car trips or awkward corners needed. It’s a must-have if you bring client closet options to your outdoor sessions, and it folds up small enough to keep in your car at all times.

These two Amazon finds are shockingly good—they come in multiple sizes and colors, photograph beautifully, and flatter every body type. They’re the perfect starter pieces for your maternity client closet (or great backups to keep on hand just in case).

A must-have in the studio. Use your V-Flat as a reflector, a negative fill, or even as a solid-color backdrop for high-contrast, dramatic portraits. It’s tall enough for full-body shots and folds up easily when not in use. So versatile and so worth it.

neutral seamless paper

a comfy robe for changes

jewelry organizer

pop up changing tent 

studio dress staples

v-flat for reflection & backdrops

NEWBORN

MILESTONES

CAKE
SMASH

MATERNITY

newborn

milestones

maternity

cake smash

This sign is always a client favorite—and it’s easy to see why. It adds that celebratory feel to any backdrop and looks amazing in photos. I use it often as a final touch, and it’s versatile enough to fit everything from classic to modern cake smash themes.

This simple clear mat lays over your floor setup and protects your surface without distracting from your aesthetic. It’s perfect for cake smash messes and wipes clean in seconds—so you can reset quickly and keep your props in great condition.

Some little ones aren’t into getting messy—and that’s okay! I keep a sweet little spoon on hand to help them explore the cake on their own terms. Bonus: it makes a great keepsake or client gift they’ll remember forever.

A handheld steamer is a must for cake smash sessions. I use it to smooth out fabric backdrops, banners, and even outfits if needed. A few quick passes make everything look polished and camera-ready—without needing to edit out folds later.

This banner works with so many themes—from rustic to neutral to boho. It adds just the right amount of texture without pulling focus from baby or the cake. I keep it on hand for when a setup needs that one last little something.

This set of 3 wooden stands (in different sizes) gives you options when clients bring their own cakes. Whether it’s a mini smash cake or a full-size creation, you’ll always have something sturdy, cute, and neutral to match your setup.

led ONE sign

handheld steamer for backdrops

set of 3 wooden cake stands

burlap ONE sign

wooden keepsake spoon

clear floor mat 

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I use heavy-duty clamps to keep my fabric backdrops smooth and wrinkle-free—no matter what surface I’m working on. Whether I’m using a beanbag, table, or posing frame, these clamps make sure everything stays tight and polished.

They save time in editing and help create those clean, dreamy backdrops we all love.

These rubber-backed mat floors are durable, wipeable, and photograph beautifully. I use them under props to create a clean, consistent look—without worrying about messes or wear and tear. They’re easy to roll out, easy to clean, and an absolute must-have for anyone shooting newborns or milestones.

I keep a simple wooden “I’m Here” sign on hand for newborn sessions—it’s the perfect touch for those very first photos. Timeless, neutral, and meaningful, it adds a personal feel without distracting from baby. It’s one of those little things that makes a big impact (and often ends up as a favorite photo in the gallery!).

This adjustable rolling stool lets me move easily around the table while staying low and close to baby. It keeps my posture comfortable and my workflow smooth—especially during detailed posing or longer newborn sessions.

I keep hand sanitizer within reach at all times—before, during, and after handling baby. It’s a small step that builds big trust with parents and helps create a clean, safe space for their little one. It’s part of my routine, and an easy way to show families their baby’s well-being is always my priority.

This little sound machine is a lifesaver for drowning out background noise and keeping baby from startling during those quiet moments. I use it throughout every session to create a steady, soothing environment—no matter where we’re shooting.

backdrop clamps

dark wood floor mat

hatch portable sound machine

rolling stool

hand sanitizer

hello world sign

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