My Camera Gear as a Family Photographer

As a family photographer in Hong Kong, I've fine-tuned my gear to match exactly how I love to work: fast, reliable, and focused on natural emotion. I reach for lenses that are compact and versatile, since I move around with families and kids to different spots during photoshoots. My Sony camera and lenses have become my trusted companions on every family session, providing beautiful and rich colors, while the autofocus is a lifesaver when little ones are moving about.

My Main Camera Body: Sony A7R IV

I chose the A7R IV for its incredible 61-megapixel resolution—those extra pixels let me crop in tight on a child's expression without losing detail. This happens a lot when I'm editing family photos and spot the perfect candid moment after the fact. I don't shoot video at all, so I went all-in on stills quality and speed. The fast autofocus makes every picture tack-sharp, with far fewer blurry shots than most people struggle with.

My Everyday Lens: Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II

This lens lives on my camera 95% of the time and if I could only bring one lens to work, travel, or playdates, this would be my pick.

The 24-70mm range complements my work perfectly, and is capable of delivering wide-angled group photos under the skyline, while also being versatile enough to capture close-up moments like when siblings are holding hands. The f/2.8 aperture handles our variable light beautifully, and the sharpness is incredible. What I love most is how it lets me stay in the moment—I don't have to fumble with lens changes while a family is laughing or kids are playing. It keeps things flowing naturally, and the only time I might switch it out is for very low-light indoor shots or when natural light is limited.

Here are a few family moments I've captured with it:

My Storytelling Lens: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM

This was the very first lens I bought when I started using Sony, and serves as my ‘storytelling’ lens.

The 35mm focal length allows me to portray a connection between my subjects, e.g. a mum holding hands with her daughter deeply engaged with one another while strolling through a park. I pull this out for portraits or indoor/low-light shots when I want that dreamy, blurry background. For fast-moving kids, f/1.4 means I can keep shutter speeds high (1/250s or faster) to freeze the action instead of capturing blurry jumps or runs.

Here are a few samples I've captured with it:

My Telephoto Lens: Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II

This is the newest addition to my collection. Since the majority of my work is done outdoors, the 85mm lets me step back and give families space while still creating a soft, creamy background. The compression is gorgeous for portraits, and the close-up details (tiny hands, big smiles) are stunning. When I shoot wide open at f/1.4, the lens delivers a bokeh that is difficult to replicate on other lenses. It's made my outdoor portraits feel even more exciting and memorable!

Here are some portraits taken with it:

At the end of the day, this kit is all about capturing authentic and special moments of Hong Kong families. It's my personal preference, shaped by years of photo taking for families across the local landscape.

If you have a favourite lens (or kit setup!), I would love to hear about it in the comments below! 📸