Wedding Photography kit
Wedding photography is a once in a lifetime event and there are no second chances to get it right the first time every time and having the right wedding photography kit is essential.
One of the first things is back up, you always need a backup just in-case things go wrong, I have had new cameras fail, memory cards fail leading into weddings, so to avoid this you should consider your back up safety plan.
With your main camera, you should alternate your memory cards throughout the day, this way if a card fails you know that you still have photo’s from around the same period of time on a different card.
Typical memory cards I use are 4 gigabytes, I have also a set of 4 2 gig cards and a set of 8 gig cards and also a set of 1 gig cards. This is then backed up on a 40 portable, the combination gives me masses of storage and normally no need to write over the cards on the day.
How I approach this is by using two camera’s and when the opportunity presents itself I swap the cards with other ones and have my assistant back up the cards on a portable backup system, the cards are NOT deleted but placed back into the cameras once the second set are being removed for their backup.
As you may gather I shoot from two cameras, this means that I have to have 3 cameras as one is a back up should something go wrong with one of the cameras.
Also by using 3 camera’s I often have a choice of lenses, SLR cameras can become filled with dirt when changing lenses and also holds up the flow of the day, and we don’t want that..
Lenses:
Selecting your lens choice is all about your style of photography, some photographers will use a prime lens other may use a 18-70mm lens so that they can get the wide angle and also zoom in past the guests. I do things a little different as I have a few cameras and they have there own role within a wedding depending on what lens in on the camera at the time.
The lens I would say I use the most is the 18-70mm and close to that is the 55mm prime lens, this covers most aspects of a wedding photo shoot. Often for the church I will shoot to the front from the back which is where the Sigma bigma (50-500mm) comes in handy. The Bigma can also be good depending on the photography style that the client requests.
The 18-70mm lens offers the wide angle for the wedding group photo’s and can zoom in to get the details and close a photo in Small wedding venues it is ideal and it is also lightweight when compared to the bigma!
The 55mm is a great portrait and detail lens with its macro function you can capture details for use n the album background and also with the sharp image quality the images can be used to replace the blinker’s from the group photos.
To give you an idea of the lenses I have here is a quick list. The percentage is the amount I use them:
18-70mm (2x) 90%
55mm 20%
18-55mm 25%
50-500mm 25%
55-200mm 10%
Weather backup:
Some venues are well lit and you just never know when its going to be dark and overcast or rain and you planned outdoor photo shoot is decommissioned for a dry indoor shoot.
You need to have two bits of kit for this, portable studio lighting and reflectors.
I use single lighting as it is high contrast, or it can be bounced to fill a room, I have a slave as well, but tend to use the master light with its silver umbrella or soft-box, of course I have a portable power source and I also have an extension lead thats around 12 meters long.
The reflectors are the large round type with reversible covers and a filter if you don’t use the cover, this is great in strong light, or with a colour or white reflector dark shadows can be lifted, typically I may use them for the shots of brides in the windows.
A backdrop is always handy to have just in case, there has been times when I have needed it.
Tripod:
Some photographers swear by tripods and for the ost part I would agree, However the wedding itself is possibly the only time I use the tripod these days, unlike most I can hold a camera still enough in low light to get the photo, so it isn’t a big issue for me. With this said, the 55-200mm lens I cannot hold still even at around 100mm and this is the prime reason that I don’t use it.
I have two tripods, one is a heffa and the other is a lightweight tripod, the reason for this is so that I can set up a second camera on a tripod, or place the video camera on the light tripod. Essentially, if you free hand group photos you can backup by using a remote tripod camera just to make sure. I always take more than enough photos to get rid of the blinkers and funny faces during group photos at the wedding.
You do need a well weighted tripod with a good head that allows for smooth action and flexibility, my pod has independent legs which move up 90 degrees and will go up or down (telescopic) and has a head lift and a triple handle head.
Summery of kit:
3 cameras
5 lenses
8+ memory cards
1 portable card back up
1 Portable lighting kit ( with accessories)
1 speed light
2 bags
2 lens cloths
1 extension cable
1 Portable power
2 reflectors
8 sets of batteries
1 fast charger
1 Back drop ( with stand & accessories)
I would suggest to some that a light meter is advisable, I have one built into my eyes.
An assistant is also advisable, or you may look a bit over crowded..
Over laden with camera equipment before the wedding
Useful links:
If you are starting out or are a family member looking into wedding photography, The National Photographer family wedding photography guide should be a big help.
We also have a photo promp sheet available, this will give you an idea of all the photos that need to be taken and set up ideas.
Related posts:
- Wedding Photography
- Wedding Breakfast Photography
- Clearwell wedding photographer
- Wedding photography site
- Wedding Photography Payment Plans
