My Current Wedding Photoraphy Gear
Sometimes people ask me what kind of camera equipment I use when I photograph weddings. Some ask because the want to make sure you're using professional gear and others ask since they are into photography themselves. The day goes by so fast and you're moving from one location to the next, so I've discovered it's best to keep things simple. And if you're not fortunate enough to have an assistant or second shooter with you, it's even harder to lug a lot of gear with you. I've always thought it's usually better to travel light allowing you to be more spontaneous and not burdened with lots of gear.
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Canon EOS 5D Mark II
21.1 MP full frame digital camera body Original Canon EOS 5D I thought I liked the original 5D when it came out and then I used the Mark II which has a higher ISO sensitivity, larger LCD screen, and high definition (HD) video. |
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Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L series wide-angle zoom
I use this to lens to get wide angle shots of the wedding venue and fun reception dance shots. |
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Canon 35mm f/1.4 L
This is by far one of my favorite lenses in my bag. I use this lens in low light situations when I don't want to use flash such as the bride and groom getting ready and at the reception. |
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Canon 50mm f/1.4
Funny this is, this is the cheapest lens in my bag, but it's one of my favorites to use. I've heard that 50mm is the closest focal length to how we see. I guess that's why this focal length has always been popular with photographers and why it should be a standard lens in any lens kit. |
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Canon 85mm II f/1.2 L
I feel every portrait/wedding photographer should own a fast 85mm prime lens. I like to use this lens for getting read shots and formal bridal portraits. |
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Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS
If you're going to pick one zoom to take to a wedding, pick this one. |
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Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro
What a great lens for creating macro photos of the rings and details around the wedding venue. |
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Two - 580EX hot shoe flashes
When it comes to beautiful wedding photography, most people don't think flash photography. But when the sun goes down this is when you need to pull out your flash(s) to continue shooting. |
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Pocket Wizards
Wireless hot shoe flash triggers I've come to understand and appreciate that if you're going to use flash in your photography, it always pays to get the light off the camera. To do so, you'll need some help from a wireless trigger such as the Pocket Wizard. |
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Hot Shoe Flash Modifiers When I have to use flash on camera, I like to soften the light a bit by using light modifers such as a Stofen or Gary Fong Lightsphere. When used correctly these modifers can help reduce harsh on camera flash. |
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Lowepro Flipside 400 AW When I shoot wedding I normally work out of a small backpack like the Flipside or the Boda Lens bag. Since I think a wedding is a sacred day for the bride and groom's family and friends, I like to keep a low profile. And the more gear you tote around the more you call attention to yourself. so that's why I like to work out of this medium sized backpack. And when I'm racing to one location to the other, carring the weight like this saves my back and shouldders. |
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Boda Lens Bag There are times when I want to be able to wander around the ceremony or reception and I don't want to have to carry a lot of geat with me. Sometimes I will wear two cameras with different lenses and other times I will wear this bag loaded with a long lens (70-200mm), a wide angle zoom (16-35 or 24-70mm) and possibly a flash in the front pocket. The only problem with using a bag during the ceremony is that you lose time changing out lenses. So now I primarily shoot the ceremony toting two camera bodies. |
