As my photography business grew this year, I was able to invest in more products that would help improve my everyday life. When I choose which products to purchase, I take into consideration three things: functionality, durability, and design. I research competitors in the same industry and compare reviews. This decision-making process has led me to buy some of my favorite products that I’ve ever owned.

Here are my top 10 favorite products that I purchased in 2021:

KEMOVE SNOWFOX61 Mechanical Keyboard

I was looking for a white keyboard to complement the monochrome aesthetic of my desk setup, and the KEMOVE SNOWFOX 61 fit the bill! As the name suggests, this mechanical keyboard has 61 keys. It’s also compact enough to travel with, has great RGB, has wireless/wired options, all at an affordable price point. For my keyboard, I opted to go for the Kailh box white switches. I wanted to try out clicky switches for the very first time, but after using it for a few weeks, I realized that I’m more of a linear switch type of guy. The stock keycaps that come with this keyboard are some of the best out there at this price point. The RGB lighting shines brightly and evenly throughout the whole keyboard. I definitely recommend this keyboard for people that are starting to dive into the hobby without breaking the bank.

Coiro Dual Shoulder Leather Harness Camera Straps

This Dual Shoulder Leather Harness from Coiro is a must for any wedding photographer. I came across them through a photographer that I follow and I’ve fallen in love with their dual camera straps ever since I started using them. The quality of the leather is top-notch and the camera is tightly secured with the connector. It also doesn’t snag or tangle when I’m out shooting. I never have to feel worried about my camera coming off from the strap ever again. Not only does it function well, but it also looks very stylish and professional when you’re out in the field!

Neewer 2 Pieces Bi-color 660 LED Video Light and Stand Kit

One of my goals this year was to create short-form video content, and this light and stand kit from Neewer helped elevate the quality of my top-down shots for my TikTok and Reels. Having good lighting makes such a huge difference when you’re shooting video and this made the post-processing so much easier. Not only does this work well for videos, but I can also use it for indoor portrait sessions, weddings, and events. These lights are very bright and have a white balance of 3200 to 5600K color temperature. Overall, I’d say this was one of the best purchases and investments I’ve made this year for my photography business.

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Underbed Storage Baskets

If you’re like me that needs extra storage for your items, then these underbed storage baskets will do the job. I’ve been doing a lot of Marie Kondo-ing for the last year and I wanted to organize the items that I have in my room a bit better. These storage baskets are for items that I wouldn’t want to have out because they are too large or items that I’m planning to sell in the future. I have a twin and it fits perfectly under my bed. The zippers go all around the square storage keeping it dust-free. It also has handles on all sides so it’s easy to take the storage basket out.

Godox Ving V860II Li-ion Flash Speedlite for Nikon

Here’s another photography product that has made my job so much easier this year. The Godox Ving V860 II Speedlite is one of the few flashes that charge with a Lithium-ion battery. I don't have to use 4AA batteries which in turn saves costs in the long run. This flash covers anywhere from 20mm to 200mm which is important for me as I shoot a lot of events with a 70mm-200mm telephoto lens. It’s also very bright compared to other flashes. It has 4 channels, high-speed sync up to 1/8000s, and has a decent recycling time of 1.5 seconds for those burst shots. It also packs a USB-C port so you can update the firmware immediately. This is one of the most future-proof external flashes on the market and a fantastic investment for anyone that does low light photography.

GRAVEL Explorer SLIM Toiletry Bag

This is one of the best toiletry bags out there for travelers that want to travel light. This toiletry bag was able to fit my contact lenses, toothbrush, comb, cup, mouthwash, contact solution, floss, q-tips, and chapstick. The bag has six pockets to keep everything organized and has a capacity of 1.5 Liters. It’s made out of polyester with a TP coating so it’s scratch resistant and washes easily. A favorite feature of mine is the stowaway adjustable strap so you can hang the bag anywhere!

Xiaomi Monitor Light Bar

This year I realized how important it is to have a well-lit workspace so I invested in a monitor light bar. Some of the benefits include reduce eye strain which can help prevent headaches, illuminates your desk so you can easily see your keyboard and important documents, reduces glare on computer screens, and saves space on your desk without having a traditional desk lamp. Monitor light bars are fairly inexpensive too as I got mine for around $45. If you spend a lot of time in front of your desk working, then this desk accessory is a must.

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Vitruvi Stone Diffuser

I’ve gone through a few diffusers before (all in the entry-level range), but this stone diffuser from Vitruvi is something special. I love the matte ceramic cover and the smell that comes from the essential oils as it passes through the diffuser. The smell is not noticeably strong and just right. The diffuser also acts as decor as it fits the minimal, clean aesthetic look of my room. I usually have the diffuser on with some ambient lighting and lofi music playing in the background while I’m working.

Govee Flow Pro Light Bars

This is one of my favorite products I purchased this year. Philips Hue was the only name in town when it came to light bars. But this year, Govee released their own light bars and I’d say this is better than the offering from Philips Hue. The price is cheaper and has a lot more customization than its competitor. I have these stuck to the back of my TV for a more immersive experience as the colors try to match up with the scene that is playing on TV. The only downside I found is that the lights sometimes lags a little behind the scenes. These light bars also works well for ambient lighting in the background if you’re ever on a zoom call or filming a video. In my opinion, this is the best value you’ll get at this price point.

Peak Design Capture Clip and Lens Kit

This is the product that I never knew I needed until now. After using the capture clip and lens kit, my shooting experience has improved. I can seamlessly switch between my lenses instead of grabbing it from my backpack which has saved me a lot of time during my client sessions. You can attach the capture clip to your belt or backpack and use the lens kit to attach up to two lenses. Both are weatherproof, have a quick-release button, and locks securely, and the lens kit can hold lenses of any size and weight. It’s perfect for those that need to change lenses on the go so you don’t miss any important shots.

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