Erin Newman-Mitchell (@erinnewmanmitchell) is a photographer based in the ever-growing city of Austin, Texas. She enjoys shooting a range of subjects, from landscapes to cityscapes to astro, and even some wildlife and street scenes. “I’ve found my joy in photography through my love for nature and desire to see the world. I picked up my first camera (a Canon) three years ago and not even one year after using it did I make the switch to Sony (Alpha 7R IV). Between hiking, traveling, and not ever really having a destination in sight, I try to pack light but with as much versatility as possible.” Keep reading to see the gear that Newman-Mitchell keeps in her photography kit to capture stunning images across the country.

Texas-based Photographer Erin Newman-Mitchell shares the Sony Alpha camera and Sony lenses she packs in her kit for photographing a wide range of subjects.

Camera

Sony Alpha 7R IV: The one and only camera that I use is the Sony Alpha 7R IV. The incredible dynamic range, resolution, masterful autofocus, compactness and button customizability has kept me absolutely hooked on this camera. While not having a specific photography focus, I often find myself photographing a variety of things. For all the reasons mentioned above, I’ve found that this Sony camera fits all my needs and so much more.

A lone tree during the 2021 Texas Snow storm. Photo by Erin Newman-Mitchell. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/5000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 160

Lenses

Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master: The Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM is an absolute must for any landscape photographer. It was my first lens and quickly became one of my favorites for its ability to capture an expansive scene with little distortion but with incredible sharpness. It’s my go-to lens when photographing the Milky Way and capturing low-light foregrounds.

An iconic Texas barn located in Central Texas, under the Milky Way. Photo by Erin Newman-Mitchell. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 6-secs., f/2.8, ISO 1250

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master: My latest and favorite lens is the 24-70mm f/2.8 GM. Due to its versatility it always stays attached to my camera body nearly 95% of the time. It’s the perfect lens for walking around the city and snapping shots of any kind. It gives just the right amount of reach at 70mm and on the other side of the spectrum, the right amount of width at 24mm. And like any GM, it provides tack sharpness.

An image of building layers in New York City. Photo by Erin Newman-Mitchell. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. ½-sec., f/2.8, ISO 250

Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master: I have fallen in absolute love with my Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM. While I don’t use it all too often, it’s an incredible time when I do. This lens has helped me take some of my favorite images. I love planning moon/sun rises and sets with it due to the compression. I also enjoy taking wildlife images with it.

The March full moon rising over a country home in Central Texas. Photo by Erin Newman-Mitchell. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master. 1/13-sec., f/5.6., ISO 320

Accessories

Like most photographers, I’ve struggled to find a bag that I like and suits all my needs. As of now, I’ve happily settled on the Peak Design Everyday 20L bag. Here are the additional accessories that I carry in it: 

Peak Design Aluminum Travel Tripod: This tripod has found its way into my bag and as my go-to tripod because it is lightweight, compact and perfectly engineered for traveling. And the double locking mechanism on the ball head prevents any camera slippage, an added bonus! 

3 Legged Thing Ellie - PD Universal L-Bracket: An L-bracket is a must-have for any photographer, however I found that this particular one is perfect for me. Not only is it extremely lightweight and not as obstructive as other L-brackets, but it is made compatible for the Peak Design Capture Clip, so there is no need for any extra parts or plates.

Other Accessories: Tiffen Circular Polarizers and Neutral Density Filters, additional battery and SD cards, microfiber cloths and Zeiss lens wipes, La Cie External Hard Drive.

See more of Erin Newman-Mitchell's work on Instagram (@erinnewmanmitchell).