Kara Riedas | Freelance Photographer in Tempe, Arizona

My Current Gear

Some of the gear I use

Every powerful image starts with the right tools — and over the years, I’ve curated a kit that balances technical precision with creative freedom. These are the cameras, lenses, lighting, and tech I trust to bring each visual story to life with clarity, depth, and intention. And, let’s be honest — I’m a bit of a gear nerd, and proud of it 😊

DSLR Camera Bodies

I shoot with both full-frame and APS-C Canon camera bodies — each chosen for its strengths in dynamic range, color accuracy, and detail. Together, they give me the flexibility to create with precision in any setting.

• Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

• Canon EOS 5D Mark III

• Canon EOS 6D Mark I (1)

• Canon EOS 6D Mark I (2)

• Canon EOS 7D Mark I

• Canon EOS 60D

• Canon EOS 400D Xti (Not used professionally)

DSLR Lenses

I shoot exclusively with top-of-the-line, professional-grade lenses engineered for exceptional sharpness, clarity, and color accuracy.

• Canon 300mm f/4L IS USM Prime
• Canon 70-200mm f/4L II IS USM Zoom
• Canon 200mm f/2.8L II USM Prime
• Canon 135mm f/2L USM Prime
• Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro
• Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Macro

• Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
• Canon 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Macro
• Canon 17-40mm f/4L USM Zoom
• Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Prime
• Lensbaby 85mm f/1.8 Velvet 85 Macro
• Lensbaby 56mm f/1.6 Velvet 56 Macro
• Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Prime
• Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM Prime (White)
• Samyang XP 35mm f/1.2 Prime
• Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Prime
• Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM ART Zoom
• Lensbaby 28mm f/2.5 Velvet 28 Macro
• IRIX 11mm f/4 Blackstone
Ultra-Wide Rectilinear Prime

• Lensbaby Composer Pro

• Lensbaby Sweet 80 Optic f/2.8

• Lensbaby Sweet 50 Optic f/2.5

• Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic f/2.5

• Canon Extender EF 1.4x II
• Canon Extender EF 2x II
• Canon Extension Tube EF12 II
• Canon Extension Tube EF25 II
• Sigma USB Dock UD-01 For Canon EF

Video Cameras

The tools that let me craft cinematic stories with clarity, depth, and creative freedom.

• Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (4K Video)
• DJI OSMO Pocket 3 (4K Video)
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (4K Video)
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (4K Video)
• DJI NEO Drone (4K Video)
• DJI MIC 2 (used with the OSMO Pocket 3

Strobe Lighting For Photography

Light is my paintbrush — these strobes let me sculpt each image with clarity, texture, and emotion.

• (1) Paul C Buff White Lightning Ultrazap 2400

• (2) Paul C Buff Einstein E640
• (3) Paul C Buff Alien Bees B800
• (2) Paul C Buff White Lightning Ultrazap 800
• (3) Photoflex Starflash 650
• (3) Paul C Buff Vagabond Mini Battery
• (1) Westcott FJ-X3 M Wireless Trigger
• (8) Westcott FJ-XR Wireless Receivers

Portable Flash

Portable lighting for on-location flexibility, giving me the same precision and creative control as my studio strobes.

• (2) Canon 600EX-RT Speedlite
• Canon 580EX II Speedlite
• Canon 430EX II Speedlite
• Canon ST-E3-RT Speedlite Transmitter
• Phottix Laso TTL Receiver

Continuous Lighting For Photography & Video

Consistent, adjustable lighting for both photo and video — ideal for shaping tone, depth, and atmosphere with precision.

• Neewer 1904 75W Bi-Color LED Panel
• Neewer NL288 45W Bi-Color LED Panel
• (2) Neewer 660 45W Bi-Color LED Panels

Digital Darkroom

Where every image comes to life — refined with precision, color accuracy, and an unwavering attention to detail.

• Adobe Lightroom Classic
• Adobe Lightroom CC

• Adobe Photoshop

• Anthropics Technology PortraitPro Studio 24
• Anthropics Technology PortraitPro Body V3
• Corel PaintShop Pro X4
• CapCut Professional

• 2020 13" MacBook Pro Quad-Core Intel i5
• Sony 16" Windows 7 64-bit
• Dell 29" Monitor

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