Ashton Sotiro (@ashsotiro.photo) is a creative portrait photographer based in Washington D.C. Her journey in photography began while she was in college, where she initially covered live concerts. However, it was her shift towards viewing photography as an art form rather than just a service that allowed her to truly develop her own style. While she primarily caters to artists and couples, Sotiro works with a diverse range of clients, including those seeking maternity, engagement, and graduation photos. Additionally, she occasionally continues to cover live music events. Sotiro has a talent for capturing engaging poses and intriguing expressions in her portraits. Combined with her technical skills, she produces beautiful and captivating imagery. As her photoshoots vary greatly, the gear she carries in her camera bag tends to change, but her constants are her Sony Alpha 7 III and her Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master lens. We got a look inside Sotiro’s camera bag to see all of the gear she relies on to run her business and create art.
Product Preview – In This Article You'll Find:
–Sony Alpha 7 III
–Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master
–Sony E 50mm f/1.8
How this photographer relies on a simple one camera, one zoom and one prime kit to create portraits as an art form.
Camera
Sony Alpha 7 III: Being a creative photographer means having no limits, so why should my camera have any? When I made the decision to upgrade from a Nikon DSLR, I knew I wanted to make the switch to Sony. I ultimately chose the Sony Alpha 7 III as a well-rounded and capable instrument for my art.
Sony’s Eye Autofocus was the biggest selling point, as my subjects are constantly in motion. From couples moving together to artists in their zone, I rarely interrupt passion at play, and I need my gear to capture those fleeting moments in focus.
Photo by Ashton Sotiro. Sony Alpha 7 III. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/400-sec., f/2.8, ISO 160
Lenses
Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master: There is one lens that rarely leaves my camera, and that is the 24-70mm f2.8 G Master lens from Sony. Having started my photography career as a live music photographer, I have had my eye on the 24-70mm lens for years. The range is optimal for all types of portraits, and the low F-stop helps me capture low light situations like concerts. This lens comes in handy most while shooting subjects in motion, as I prefer candid and prompted poses over posed and still shots.
Photo by Ashton Sotiro. Sony Alpha 7 III. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/1000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 125
I love the ability to quickly move in and out, changing my composition. This lets me make a bunch of unique shots in a short amount of time. I don’t need to interrupt the flow of an artist or the connection between a couple. This workhorse lens produces beautiful portraits without me needing to worry if it can keep up.
Photo by Ashton Sotiro. Sony Alpha 7 III. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/1000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 125
Sony E 50mm f/1.8: The second lens in my bag is the Sony E 50mm f/1.8 lens. I like how lightweight it is, especially when shooting for long periods of time. I’ve always preferred having a nice prime lens in my kit for crisp portrait shots and an extra hand when shooting in low light. Since many of my portrait sessions are outside, I often meet my clients at golden hour, and at that time of day, the light can change so quickly. In order to maximize the light, I need to have a lens I can rely on. And then the low light capabilities allow me to continue shooting into blue hour, which can really lead to some romantic shots. Plus at concerts, low light is basically a given, so I really need gear that can keep up.
Photo by Ashton Sotiro. Sony Alpha 7 III. Sony 50mm f/1.8. 1/500-sec., f/1.8, ISO 2500
Photographer Ashton Sotiro relies on the Sony Alpha 7 III along with a Sony zoom and Sony prime to create portraits as an art form.
Accessories
Mythology, Sketchbook & Pen: I wouldn’t be the photographer I am today without my various sources of inspiration. One source of inspiration that drives my creativity is Greek mythology. While many wouldn’t consider these items photography accessories, my sketchbook, pen, and Mythology by Edith Hamilton are my most valued tools in my camera bag. I often pull them out when I’m looking for inspiration on a shoot. Especially in DC, the architecture lends itself to the classics so well.
Godox V1-S Flash: While I find myself shooting most of my work in natural light, I recently added this flash unit to my bag to use for weddings, pre-show artist portraits, and other scenarios where the lighting needs to be enhanced.
Photo by Ashton Sotiro. Sony Alpha 7 III. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/640-sec., f/3.5, ISO 2000
Loop Experience Pro Earplugs: These are essential for photographing concerts and other performances. Being so close to the stage so often means I need to protect my ears and that means having a quality pair of earplugs with me at every show.
Other accessories: Protective film case, microfiber cloth, sunscreen, Shout wipes, mini lint roller, Swiss Army knife. These are just great essentials to have with you. You can’t expect the unexpected but you can try to prepare for it!
See more of Ashton Sotiro’s work on Instagram (@ashsotiro.photo).
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