Build a Kit, Thompson

I think that portrait photojournalism is very interesting, so I'm building my kit with that in mind. 

Camera bodies (2 minimum):

• Sony Alpha a7 Mirrorless Digital Camera
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1667800-REG/sony_ilce_7m4_b_alpha_a7_iv_mirrorless.html/overview
• $2,498
• this camera has strong stills and high resolution, which I think is important for capturing photos of people
• Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Digital Camera
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1453768-REG/sony_ilce_6400_b_alpha_a6400_mirrorless_digital.html
• $898
• this camera has advanced eye tracking, which would be helpful when photographing people

Lenses (2 minimum):

• Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Sony E
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1369132-REG/sigma_402965_16mm_f_1_4_dc_dn.html
• $399
• good in conditions of low lighting, which might be useful
• goos with clarity and sharpness, which I think is necessary for portraits
• Canin EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1143786-REG/canon_0570c002_ef_50mm_f_1_8_stm.html
• $125
• prime lens, so very lightweight
• good for isolating subject matter
• Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1613424-REG/sony_fe35f14gm_fe_35mm_f_1_4_gm.html
• $1,398
• speedy, relatively compact
• Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Lens
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/810414-USA/Nikon_2200_40_mm_f_2_8G_AF_S.html
• $276
• good for close ups and details

Tripods:

• Peak Design Aluminum Travel Tripod
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1495135-REG/peak_design_tt_cb_5_150_al_1_aluminum_travel_tripod.html/overview
• $350
• lightweight and easy to travel with
• Oben CTT-1000 Carbon Fiber Tabletop Tripod
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1431254-REG/oben_ctt_1000_carbon_fiber_tabletop.html
• $99
• good if you need a smaller setup

Backback:

• Lowepro Fastpack Pro BP 250 AW III (Gray)
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1547750REG/lowepro_lp37331_fastpack_pro_bp_250.html
• $145
• can fit my laptop and tripod
• includes a rain cover
• can hold 4-5 lenses, and mirrorless camera 

Memory Cards:

• Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1578712-REG/sony_160gb_cfexpress_type_a.html
• $398
• this memory card can withstand lots of different temperatures, UV light, and x-rays, as well as 15 foot drops, so it is the perfect memory card for any situation and environment
• SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO UHS-I SDXC Memory card
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1431034-REG/sandisk_sdsdxxy_128g_ancin_extremepro_sdxc_128gb_card.html
• $30 each, will get 4 ($120 total)

Lights:

• Godox Ring72 Macro LED Ring Light
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1646208-REG/godox_ring72_macro_led_ring.html
• $75
• Bolt VB-22 Bare-Bulb Flash Kit
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1081644-REG/bolt_vb_22_bare_bulb_flash_with.html
• $410
• Nikon SB-700 AF Speedlight
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/734997-USA/Nikon_4808_SB_700_Speedlight_Shoe_Mount.html
• $327

Other Equipment:

• iPhone 13
• https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/iphone-13/6.1-inch-display-512gb-midnight-unlocked
• $1,130
• nice to have because will always have on me in case I need to take a photo
• lots of storage
• MacBook Air
• https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-air/space-gray-apple-m1-chip-with-8-core-cpu-and-8-core-gpu-512gb#
• $1,250
• easy and light to carry around (can fit into backpack)
• accessible and easy to edit photos on from wherever
• Insurance 
• couldn't find anything specific, but googled that it averages to be about $500 annually
• SanDisk 256GB Extreme Pro USB 3.2 Gen 1 Solid State Flash Drive
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1308254REG/sandisk_sdcz880_256g_a46_extreme_pro_solid_state.html
• $50 each, I'll buy 4 ($200 total)
• Portrait Studio necessities 
• Impact Photo Portrait Studio Kit
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1181961-REG/impact_photo_portrait_studio_kit.html
• $160
• nice to have in case I want to take more professional portraits
• Batteries 
• Sony NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery (92280mAh)
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1333269-REG/sony_np_fz100_rechargeable_lithium_ion_battery.html
• $78 each, I'll get 2 so ($156 total)
• Sony NP-FW50 Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery (1020mAh)
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/712854-REG/Sony_NPFW50_NP_FW50_Lithium_Ion_Rechargeable_Battery.html
• $53 each, I'll get 2 ($106 total)
• Abobe Creative Cloud
• https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html
• $53 a month, $636 annually
• Reflectors
• Impact 5-in-1 Collapsible Circular Reflector with Handles (42")
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1274713-REG/impact_r2542_51_42_5_in_1_collapsible_circular.html
• $50
• Light Meters
• Sekonic L-308X-U Flashmate Light Meter
• https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1390250-REG/sekonic_401_305_l_308x_u_flashmate_light_meter.html
• $219

$75 leftover