My dream photo kit: equine and animal photography

"During the week, I am a product photographer for a small laser engraving
and print business and I photograph horses and dogs in my spare time. I love my Sony A7 IV camera and 70-200mm lens because it’s much lighter than my previous Nikon kit. 

"This lens pretty much stays on my camera when I am photographing horses and dogs – it’s my go-to lens. I also tend to use it while photographing products, provided I have the space. My 28-70mm kit lens is only used when I’m working in tighter spaces or while I'm looking at making some videos.

"I'd love to use the Sony A1 for its high-resolution sensor, super-fast burst shooting and lightning-quick AF, all of which are crucial for canine and equine photography. This would become my main camera. 

"The 24-70mm would give me the image and build quality to rival my much-loved 70-200mm and would become my main product photography lens. As for the 300mm, who wouldn’t want one of these lenses? I used to dabble in some wildlife photography when I first started, but this lens would push me to shoot for myself in the future and just get outdoors in nature.”

Dawn Cotterell

Specialisms: Equine, canine and product photography

Years active: Nine

Location: Christchurch, Dorset, United Kingdom

Dawn's current kit

1) Sony A7 IV
Time used: 14 months
With a 33MP full-frame sensor, this pro-favorite mirrorless camera uses a Bionz XR processing engine for speed and efficient shooting.

2) Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II
Time used: 14 months
A major Sony "trinity" lens, this zoom has a constant f/2.8 aperture that enables Dawn to capture a pleasant background blur in her animal portraits.

3) Sony 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6
Time used: 14 months
As a kit lens, this model lacks a constant aperture. However, it does feature an Optical Stabilizer that is useful for sharp shots in lower lighting.

4) Tenba Solstice Backpack 20L
Time used: 12 months
For photographers who frequently need to carry lots of kit, especially when working on the move and on location, a backpack can often be the best solution.

5) Jony Ultrafit Sling Strap for Women
Time used 2 years
With its ergonomic design, this sling makes long shoots with multiple cameras easier on the back and is popular among working pros. 

Dawn's dream kit

1) Sony A1
MPB says:
"The Sony A1 offers new dimensions of imaging performance as well as efficient workflow, giving the user greater creative freedom. The A1 offers an extraordinary combination of high resolution and blazing speed."

2) Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
MPB says:
"There are no compromises in the design and technology of this new constant f/2.8 zoom lens, which can fully exploit the performance potential of current and future high-resolution camera bodies."

3) Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS
MPB says:
"This is a high-performance professional telephoto lens with a wide aperture of f/2.8, making it an ideal lens for genres including sports, reportage and wildlife photography."

4) Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 Camera Bag
MPB says:
"An upgraded version of the popular Hadley Pro, the FibreNyte version fits most DSLRs (without a battery grip) or almost any mirrorless camera and two to four small or medium-sized lenses with accessories."

5) DJI RS 4 Pro Combo Gimbal Stabilizer
MPB says:
"We currently stock the DJI Ronin-SC – it's lightweight, compact and built to go anywhere. Construction is from magnesium and aluminum, along with high-strength composite materials that provide a robust performance."

From the experts

MPB explains which features of Dawn’s selected items make them ideal for her chosen field:

"The Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II lens and Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master lens are great selections for equine and pet photography. The Sony 24- 70mm f/2.8 G Master II lens offers a fast aperture for sharp, dynamic shots and the Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master lens performs excellently with low-light photography, meaning that Dawn can get a detailed image from a distance."