Recommendations for Students & Creative Explorers


As a photography educator, I’m often asked, “What camera should I get?” I know how overwhelming it can be to find gear that’s both accessible and powerful—especially when you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your creative practice.

After lots of research and hands-on testing, I’ve partnered with OM SYSTEM (formerly Olympus) to offer an option I truly believe in. I was looking for a camera that’s:

  • Lightweight and travel-friendly
  • Affordable without sacrificing quality
  • Packed with features that allow for creative growth over time
  • Retro Styling looks great too!

The OM-D E-M10 Mark IV checked every box. I personally purchased this entry-level model to use for demonstrations with students and put it through its paces during my summer trip to Paris. The images in the gallery below were all taken with this very camera last summer!


📸 Click HERE to learn more and purchase the camera I recommend and bring along with me on retreats — A perfect starter bundle for mindful photography, travel, and learning the foundations of manual shooting.


Prime Lens Picks: Big Creative Impact, Small Investment

If you're ready to elevate your photography, adding a prime lens is one of the best next steps you can take. These fixed focal length lenses offer wide apertures, which means:

  • Beautiful blurry backgrounds (aka shallow depth of field / bokeh)
  • Great low-light performance for indoor or evening shooting
  • Sharper, crisper images that make your subject pop

I’ve selected a couple of OM SYSTEM prime lenses that are budget-friendly but deliver truly impressive results. They’re perfect for portraits, still life, and macro work, and are totally accessible for beginners and mid-level enthusiasts alike.

These are the lenses I recommend to students who want to explore more creative control without a steep learning curve—or a huge price tag.

Whether you're capturing soft portraits, experimenting with bokeh, or zooming in on nature’s tiny details, a good prime lens can open up a whole new world of visual storytelling.

45mm f/1.8 Prime Lens – Small But Mighty

This is my go-to recommendation for anyone wanting to create stunning portraits with dreamy, shallow depth of field. The Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 is a compact and lightweight prime lens designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras. With a 90mm equivalent focal length and a bright f/1.8 aperture, it's ideal for capturing stunning portraits with beautifully defocused backgrounds, as well as detailed still life and food photography. It delivers beautiful background blur (bokeh), making it perfect for still life, food photography, and intimate creative setups. You can see it in action in the gallery below. The images at the Paris Cafe were take with this lens.

It offers big performance for a small investment, and is lightweight, fast, and incredibly sharp—ideal for students and enthusiasts who want pro-looking results without the pro-level price tag.

Please click  HERE to purchase this lens.

(Don't hesitate to contact me for assistance)

30mm f/3.5 Macro Lens – Tiny Details, Big Possibilities

If you're curious about macro photography, this lens is a total gem—especially for students and creatives who want to explore the magic of small things without a big price tag. The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 lets you get up close and personal with incredible detail, making it perfect for nature, still life, food, and texture-focused work.

At under $350, it’s an absolute steal for a true macro lens. Lightweight, sharp, and capable of 1.25x magnification, it brings the world of tiny subjects vividly to life.

It’s an accessible entry point into macro, yet powerful enough to stay in your kit as your skills grow.

Please click  HERE to purchase this lens
(Don't hesitate to contact me for assistance)

Want more?

Via the links below you can access the full line of OM / OM-D cameras and a wide variety of Pro and consumer lenses that will allow you to explore your passion for photography to the fullest. Not sure what to get? Reach out to schedule a phone consultation via the form below.

Reach Out to Schedule a Consultation with Anna




Disclaimer


As an affiliate, I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. Every bit helps support my ongoing work teaching and mentoring photographers around the world.


If you have any questions about the gear or want help deciding what’s right for your needs, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to help you take the next step in your creative journey! Just email me at info@annawilson.ca and we can set up a phone consultation.


— Anna

Paris Gallery