EQUIPMENT
The following is a list of the equipment I am currently using as a a working photographer. Using affiliate links does help me support my family, but I would be remiss if I didn't say this is the gear that I currently use and can highly recommend. It may not be what you need for the type of shooting you do.
I resisted for years listing my gear with links because I want to offer impartial real world advice rather than become just another website pushing gear just to make a commission. But as photographers we all do love to geek out on gear sometimes! Hope this helps, feel free to reach out with questions.
Adobe photography Plan. Without question Lightroom is my go to image import, organizational, and editing program. The monthly plan also includes Photoshop which I only use on rare occasions when I need to do a deeper edit than Lightroom can do. Adobe
Topaz DeNoise AI, Gigapixel AI, and Sharpen AI. These products have changed the way I shoot (especially at high ISO). DeNoise AI is a game changer. I no longer worry shooting at ISO's previously unthinkable. I only wish I had shot more in situations deemed at the time to be too dark, because now those files are usable. Topaz
Nikon Z9 Hands down the best camera I have ever used. The mix of speed and AF of a sports/wildlife flagship body with high resolution, and advantages of mirrorless. No going back! Amazon
Prograde 325gb Cobalt CFexpress cards Large capacity, and fast, for the crazy fast Z9. Amazon
Nikon Z7 Used as a backup and for backpacking trips. I'll update to Z7iii when it comes out. Amazon
Nikon 14-24 f2.8 Z Best wide angle lens I have ever used hands down. Wide, fast, sharp, takes filters, way smaller than DSLR version. See my review in Outdoor Photographer. Amazon
Nikon 24-120 f4 Z An amazing range that covers almost everything. The one lens that goes on every shoot no matter what. Amazon
Nikon 100-400 f4.5-5.6 Z Finally a sharp long zoom that offers a great range in a hand holdable package. Amazon
Nikon 70-200 f2.8 Z When reach is less important but low light and subject isolation is needed. Amazon
Nikon 1.4x Z teleconverter Adds a bit more reach to the 70-200 or 100-400 with no noticeable image quality loss. Amazon
Nikon 500 f5.6 PF Hands down my favorite wildlife lens of all time. Wicked sharp and portable. I no longer own a big f4 prime due to ease of use and portability of this lens combined with high resolution and cropping ability of the Z9 files. (I do rent a long fast prime a couple times a year for specific trips). See my review in Outdoor Photographer. Amazon
Nikon FTZ II Adaptor to use 500mm PF on my Z bodies. Amazon
Nikon 1.4x AF-S teleconverter Fmount converter to use with my 500mm PF lens. Amazon
Nikon 35 f1.8 Super fast, wide prime, the classic street photography lens. Amazon
Nikon 50 f1.8 Fast, great backgrounds, good for portraits, an amazing lens. If you can't own all three primes the 50 is the way to go. Amazon
Nikon 85 f1.8 My go to portrait lens. Silky smooth backgrounds and color rendering. Works great for low light landscapes as well. Amazon
Nikon 105 f2.8 macro Fmount, at some point I'll update this to the Z mount, but it works great with the FTZ adapter so I am saving my money. Amazon
Sony RX100 VI When I don't want to carry my full kit this little guy comes home with amazing files for a point and shoot. Use it on long ski tours, climbing and backpacking when I just can't carry a "real" camera. I have shot many published images with this little guy and have made 20x30 prints that blew me away. Amazon
Gitzo GT1542 tripod My main travel tripod, used for most trips. Buy Gitzo and it will last a lifetime. Amazon
Really Right Stuff BH-40 ball head My main go to tripod head. Amazon
Gitzo 3540LS Tripod No longer made. Link is for the current version. My main rock solid tripod that will hold big glass. I have had my version for at least 15 years and it is still going strong. Buy Gitzo and it will last a lifetime. Amazon
Really Right Stuff BH-55 ball head Super strong ball head used on my large tripod. Will hold big 500/600mm f4 primes. Amazon
Wimberley Sidekick Works in conjunction with BH-55 head to create a gimbal style head for using long lenses effortlessly. While not quite a smooth as a fully Wimberly Gimbal, it is so much smaller and easier to travel with that it is worth the compromise. Amazon
Think Tank Firstlight 30L My go to camera pack when I am carrying the full kit. Smaller and easier to fit on a plane than my F-stop
Fstop Tilopa-50L When I am doing big shoots in the backcountry with skis, ropes... Love the internal ICU's for packing gear in duffel bags, and Pelican cases... Amazon
Gura Gear Chobe 2.0 16inch Best laptop bag I have ever used. A full home office for the working photographer on the road. They also make killer camera packs, I still use my old Kibiko 30L when I need to carry lots of gear including a 600 f4
Patagonia Black Hole Duffels the go to packing plan for all travel