Okay, let’s talk about Amazon—my love-hate relationship with this retail giant runs deep. On one hand, I love the accessibility and convenience. Need something delivered to your door in just a few hours? No problem. It’s perfect for busy people or those who can’t easily get out to shop. But on the flip side, for every amazing, well-priced item, there are ten knock-off versions that are either garbage or a complete waste of money.

And yeah, I’ve been that person who’s fallen for a knock-off—more than once, actually! Sometimes, saving a buck seems like a good idea until you realize that a dollar cheaper item doesn’t work, or worse, breaks when you need it most. As a photographer and business owner, I’ve definitely learned my lesson.

But here’s the good news: I’ve also had plenty of Amazon success stories, and there are a few things I’ve bought that I can’t imagine running my business without. With Prime Day and Black Friday right around the corner, I wanted to share my tried-and-true brands that I use daily, both in my camera bag and behind the scenes.

Also, just a heads-up, these are affiliate links, which means I earn a little something if you decide to purchase through them. It’s basically my coffee money, so thank you for the support!