The weapons I shoot with.

Being a photographer is my second career, but it was my first true passion. I started photography when I was sixteen years old and my first camera was my dad’s analogue Nikon FE2. This has started a life-long love for photographing people as well as a passion for Nikon equipment and I am proud to call myself a registered professional Nikon user. However I am not ruling out a switch to another brand at some point in the future, it very much depends on what is on the market and what my business needs are.

My current setup mainly consists of Nikon equipment. I have two Nikon D750s camera bodies which I have set up identically. I have had a variety of Nikon cameras before, I started of with the D80 and then bought my first full frame DSLR, the D700, just before I started my business eight years ago. I added a D800 which was very powerful, but not a good match for the D700 so I took the plunge, sold both cameras and invested in two D750s. I have not looked back since!

The D750 has a relatively small camera body with a deep rubberised hand grip which suits my hand size and strength very well. But far more importantly the D750 is a fast camera which easily masters difficult lighting situations and absolutely essential for successful wedding photography. Unlike with a lot of Nikon cameras the rear screen of the D750 folds out which comes in handy when taking shots holding the camera up high above people’s heads.

A few years ago I invested in a Holdfast Moneymaker camera harness. I had it adjusted to not have additional metal hoops below the shoulders as those would no doubt get caught up in my hair. This harness completely changed the way I work, it gives me so much freedom to just drop my camera, adjust what I am photographing and picking it back up in an instant. 

I own seven high quality lenses, six of which are Nikon lenses. These are my lenses:

•  17-35mm – this lens is great for wide angle shots such as church ceremonies or a first dance with the guests standing in a circle around the wedding couple.
•  24-70mm f2.8 – this is my absolute work horse and the most versatile and used lens in my kit. It’s the perfect all rounder and always by my side.
•  35mm f1.4 – this is my only Sigma lens and I have to admit that I am not getting on with it. I use it rarely and find it hard to integrate it so I might end up selling it. For now I am holding on to it though.
•  50mm f1.8 – this is Nikon’s smallest and cheapest lens. It was also the first lens I ever bought and definitely the cheapest. I don’t use it for weddings, but it always comes with me on portrait shoots as it has a really lovely focal length.
• 60mm f2.8 – this is a macro lens which I use for wedding ring and other detail shots at weddings. I also used to use this lens a lot during newborn portrait sessions to capture all those little details.
•  85mm f1.8 – now this complete beauty is by far my most favourite lens. No other lens produces a bokeh like this one, the image quality is a dream and it even produces wonderful portraits in low lighting conditions due to the large aperture.
•  70-200mm f2.8 – this is a lens I like, but don’t use much any more, as my shooting style has changed (I’m not shy anymore to get myself close to people). It is one of those lenses though that I am glad to have and will never get rid of.

Both my flashes and triggers will be replaced at some point this year to improve my portrait photography lighting system. I have decided to part with the Nikon flashes and invest in a Godox system instead which I hear great things about. I will keep you posted with those developments.

More shoots you’ll love:

For more information & to check availability:

(or so simply say hi)

email    bettybhandariphotography@gmail.com

phone   +44 (0)7984 029 639

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