Ross Grieve

Commercial, Portrait | Last Updated: February 5, 2021

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I am Ross Grieve, and I run a Portrait and Commercial photography business in Pembrokeshire, Wales, in the UK.

While at school I was absolutely fascinated with the chemical process of getting a print onto paper in a dark room. So, I guess you could say I started in the dark room and then got more into photography.

I love photographing people – the social interaction is a buzz – and although the nerves still kick in (which I think is a good thing) seeing my clients enjoying the images I have created for them is just magic.

I have shot on a DSLR system up till about 5 years ago, when I was given the opportunity to try out the Lumix range. I have never looked back.

Now I use both Lumix systems – the S Range which is their full-frame cameras and lenses, and the G Series which is their Micro Four Thirds range of trusted cameras.

I have several bags for different jobs, including portraits, commercial, time-lapse (see more), and, also a passion of mine, street photography. But today we will concentrate on my general bag.

Cameras:

Lumix S1R Camera (Full Frame)
All of my studio work is now done with the S1R. This full-frame camera is a welcome addition to my Lumix family of cameras. The crisp results are just stunning, plus the colour tones are beautiful.

Lumix G9 Camera (Micro 4/3)
I call this the little brother of the S1R. It’s such a workhorse and is ideal for when I need to travel light or if I want a second camera. It’s a fantastic portrait camera and works well alongside the S1R.

Lumix GH5 Camera (Micro 4/3)
The demands of clients are now greater and with so many requests for film work, I have introduced this into my work, and the GH5 makes it so easy. Being able to shoot stunning 4K footage is a pure pleasure.

Lumix GX9 Camera (Micro 4/3)
This camera comes with me everywhere I go. I only use one lens on it, the Leica 15mm f/1.7. It’s just perfect for my street photography.

Lenses:

Lumix S-Pro 50mm f/1.4 (FF)
I have two favourite lenses I use for portraits: one is the 50mm f/1.4, this packs a lot of punch and the detail it allows you is just insane. Coupled with the ability to shoot using the IBIS (In Body Image Stabilisation) you can make the most of those low light conditions.

Lumix 24-105mm f/4 (FF)
For a kit lens, this is so versatile and should not be overlooked. It is my go-to lens for my S1R if I am not sure about the location. Great for portraits and commercial work, so all boxes are ticked.

Leica 12mm f/1.4 (Micro 4/3)
A super-fast lens for such a small system, great for film work and also for landscapes and astrophotography along with time-lapse work.

Leica 8-18mm f/2.8
The first time I ever shot with this lens was for a portrait in a tattoo parlour. It is a wonderful lens for landscapes, real estate and also astro. As it’s aspherical you can get some wonderful portraits with it too.

Leica Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2
My favourite of all my Lumix lenses, I have used this for years and it never fails to deliver. Takes beautiful stunning portraits. I have used this in the wind, rain and snow. It’s robust and just keeps me smiling. If I ever have my G9 this is my go-to lens for portraits or any low light work as it’s stunning with the Dual IS.

Leica 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0
Probably the most versatile lens I have ever used in the Micro 4/3 range. Ideal for stills and video, with beautiful image quality. This is a must-have lens for your camera bag.

Workflow:

MacBook Pro
I have used Macs for about 15 years and just the pure reliability of them is worth the money.

G-Technology Drive
It’s always worth investing in good quality hard drives that will give you peace of mind with the storage of your images and video.

X-Rite ColorChecker
When you are shooting on different locations and you need to have accurate colours, this little powerhouse of a tool makes colour management so simple. I use mine on location and in the studio.

Wacom Intuos Pro Medium
When I travel and I know I will be retouching there is no way I can do it with a mouse or touchpad. For ease and my own sanity, I have been using Wacom products for years, and they make my retouching so simple and much quicker.

H&Y Filters
Now I like equipment that is well designed, tough to take the knocks and easy to use and store. I saw H&Y Filters at a show and really like the magnetic system. This means that the filters will never slide down the holder and you can easily build up filters on top of one another. Such a simple yet effective idea.

Black Rapid Harness
As soon as I get a new camera the first thing I do is to remove the straps. Having been a wedding and sports photographer, using Black Rapid straps just makes your day much more comfortable and also lessens the risk of a camera slipping off your shoulder.

www.rossgrieve.com | @rossagrieve