Capturing once in a lifetime moments is just one of the things that makes photography so special and wedding photography is one of the best examples of this!
Weddings are huge life events with tons of important and emotional little moments. As a wedding photographer, it’s your job to capture these precious moments! Wedding photography is a skill the requires plenty of practice and creativity and one of the best ways to make sure you’re prepared to capture someone’s special day is having the right gear for the job. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie, our wedding photography gear guide is a great place to start when preparing for a wedding!
Cameras
When choosing a camera for photographing weddings you’ll want to make sure to invest in a camera with excellent low-light capabilities, fast autofocus, and a high resolution sensor. Cameras that can adapt quickly to changing lighting conditions, movement, and highly dynamic scenes will go a long way in capturing the best wedding photos possible.
Check out our Wedding Camera recommendations!
Canon EOS R6 Mark II Mirrorless Camera
Sony Alpha a7 IV Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only)
FUJIFILM X-H2 Mirrorless Camera
While shooting a wedding, you’ll need to be prepared for anything. Having a versatile selection of lenses at your disposable can go a long way in making sure you never miss a shot! Lenses that cover various focal lengths and shooting scenarios will help ensure that you have all the gear you need to capture portraits, action shots, big groups, detail shots, and more! Essential lenses include standard zooms, telephoto zooms, and prime lenses that are fast even in low-light conditions.
Standard Zoom Lenses
Standard zoom lenses are a great choice because they are versatile and great in low light situations, such as indoor venues. Often offering a range of focal lengths, these lenses help you capture dynamic events, such as weddings, without the need to constantly change lenses. These lenses can be used to capture the entire scene, including the venue, decorations, guests, and surroundings. They are also useful for group shots, especially when space is limited because they allow you to capture large groups without having to step too far back.
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens
Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens (Nikon Z)
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR Lens
Telephoto Zoom Lenses
Similar to standard zooms, telephoto zoom lenses offer a ton of versatility and many have great low-light performance. Telephoto zooms are great for flattering portraits with minimal distortion and are great for capturing subtle moments and small details as they allow you to zoom in on the little things. These lenses are essential for capturing the ceremony as they allow you to stay out of the way and photograph from a distance without missing a shot. Similarly, telephoto lenses are a great way to capture candid moments without interrupting the scene, with plenty of ability to zoom in you can act as an observer instead of having to be close to the action.
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens
Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens - Sony E
Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Lens
Fujifilm Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Lens
Prime Lenses
Fast prime lenses are great tools for capturing your couples special day and bring some elements to the table that zoom lenses often can’t. Prime lenses with wide apertures such as f/1.4 and f/1.8 are incredible in low light conditions and they also offer more control over depth of field for capturing bokeh and isolating subjects which is particularly good for portraits and detail shots. Primes are also often more compact and lightweight than most zoom lenses which can make your camera more portable and less obtrusive when discreetly capturing candid shots.
Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM Lens
Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S Lens
FUJIFILM XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR Lens
Lighting can be a challenge in dim or poorly lit venues and even outside. Investing in portable lighting equipment such as speedlights, continuous LED lights, or portable strobes can take your wedding camera bag to a whole new level.
One of the many great things about having portable lighting at your disposal when photographing weddings is that it offers a lot of flexibility. Wedding venues vary and so do the lighting conditions. Having your own lightning equipment with you ensures that you are able to adapt to different environments and keep your lighting consistent regardless of venue conditions. Portable lighting equipment will also give you control over the direction, intensity, and quality of light, all of which can make or break your images. You can also use lighting equipment to supplement natural lighting with fill lighting and overcome challenges produced by natural lighting, such as harsh shadows.
Aside from practical uses, portable lighting equipment can be great for achieving creative effects such as backlighting or specific moods using colored gels.
Check out our portable lighting recommendations!
MagMod Professional Flash Kit (V2)
Westcott L60-B Bi-Color COB LED Light Backpack Kit
Profoto B10X OCF Flash Duo Kit
Getting all your equipment from point A to point B doesn’t have to be a hassle. With plenty of awesome camera bags and cases on the market, there’s something for everyone. Here’s just a few great choices out of the many available on our website and in our store!
Langly Multi Globetrotter Camera Backpack - Black
Peak Design Everyday 30L v2 Backpack - Black
Think Tank Photo Airport Commuter Camera Backpack for Airline
Finally, sometimes, the most important equipment in your bag is the backups! Whether it be a backup camera, lens, memory card, or battery these pieces of gear can save the day if your gear breaks or malfunctions. Make sure to have extras of the equipment you can and purchase high-quality pieces of the ones you can’t!
Photographing weddings requires plenty of artistry and technical skill and ensuring you have the right gear for the big day is a great place to start. Without having to worry about your gear you can focus solely on capturing memorable moments your clients will cherish.