Want Stunning Wedding Photos? Bring These Must-Haves

When starting out as a wedding photographer it's hard to know what to bring as a wedding photographer. Since I've been running a wedding photography business for 10 years let's talk about the photography gear I bring with me as a wedding photographer.

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Video Index:

Cameras 0:00
Lighting 3:05
Accessories 7:42

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[lvllavahead]

Everything. Bring everything. Just in case 😭😂

[wendystumbaugh]

Fantastic, educational video, John. Your sound, background music is perfect. And, your white balance is even MORE perfect!

[josephchan]

When I did photography as a hobby. I always brought a second camera or smart phone for a photo shoot.

[IsParkCir]

You absolutely need two camera just in case one of them goes down. Even if I’m using one body I’ll keep a second body with a 24-70 f2.8 or a 50mm just as a quick back up.

If your lens, battery, SD card fails during a ceremony you can just switch to your secondary camera without trying to troubleshoot.

Completely agree with comments on flash. Sometimes you need it and sometimes you don’t. Indoor shots can look flat and uninteresting without flash. Lightroom Denoise isn’t helping with that.

[SebastianReichenbach]

Totally agree on redundancy (camera and cards).

[JosefFoti]

Hey John, it's a great overview, thanks. I'd be really interested in a thorough Moneymaker review. I currently use a dual camera strap from a local brand, it's very nice and comfy but it definitely doesn't have as many additional features and it also seems to me that the straps are a tiny bit wider as well. So it would be really nice to see you telling me everything about it 🙂

[BajaWRX]

How's the Holdfast harness balance when only having one camera on it? Looking into it for having a camera and drone remote but worried about the balance when when only a camera is on it.

[winni]

100% agree after 10 years in this profession. I also work with two APC cameras 17-55/70-200 + 3-4 speedlites. You're absolutely right about the common delusion beginners have these days. 'Why use flashes we'll fix all in post.An expensive camera, high iso, LR presets as the substitution for knowledge'. Yeah, right ))

[mckinleygphotography]

I always bring three camera (more if you count film). This is just redundancy, I have seen and had camera's just crap the bed and I can't risk that on a wedding day. So there is just an oldish Sony A7iii that just stays in my bag because why not.

[juniorduran]

What are some lenses that you would recommend for someone trying to get into wedding photography as a student on somewhat of a budget apart from the 50mm lens

[AKSKMY]

Yes would like a review of the holdfast system. I have a similar dual camera harness however I'm not sure if its worth to buy the extra holder for like a similar bag. Currently I just use an extra belt that can attach pouches etc.

[boilerdude]

Which Lume Cube model are you using? I have a wedding coming up and I'm trying to mimic your sparkler strategy for the wedding.

[AllengerPhotography]

I still remember the first video, you said you have to have two cameras. i then just starting out in the business was like wait. I have to make more money to buy a camera body before I can have two. Do I worry if something happens to my camera? Hell yes I'm ready for that fear to get off my Ps I've made enough money to buy two more lenses, but not the second camera body as of yet..im one year into it

[dcm]

I’d love to see you use the new holdfast pouch. I’ve been very curious about it and would love to hear your thoughts

[kojack]

😂😂😂😂😂😂I screamed when you said iso at 15billion lol lol. Maaannn I love your videos. Thank you

[kirstiealexandria]

Sounds like Fuji has a battery problem. I've had my sony a7iii batteries for just about three years and the battery life is still just as good as when they were new. I go through 1 full battery and maaaaybe 20% of a second for a full 9-10 hr wedding day (per camera.) I bring 3 per camera just in case but I've never needed the 3rd.

[iShaymus]

Absolutely agree that the number 1 thing is redundancy ... no excuses, this is the most important thing. It's not about you, your budget or your ego. It's about the couple, this event will only happen ONCE, it can never be recreated. If you are charging for your services then you must honour the importance of the work and have everything redundant.

- Two cameras, with dual SD cards (if you only own one, then rent another). Even if you only shoot one.
- 8x Quality SD cards (4 in camera and a backup for each)
- 2x additional batteries for every battery device in addition to the one that's loaded
- Either a second photographer or you are networked with enough photographers in your area that you can 'Bat Signal' another photographer if something happens to you medically.
- Insurance in case all of the above fails.

Everything else is a nice to have (nice lenses, speed lights etc). If you're not charging then none of this applies and if your gear fails then they got what they paid for (nothing). If you're charging and not doing this then you either have no professional integrity or you think that people wear seat belts as a fashion accessory.

[snapsbyjasper]

Is X-T30ii good for weddings?
I just want a camera that is good for events and good for travel.

[The_Dapper_Millennial]

John, thanks for this video!
Quick question, is it okay to shoot weddings on only one camera body until you make enough to get a 2nd one, or would you not even start until you have 2 cameras?

[LJLLC]

I use Sony Tough-Ms (277/150) in the XT5 and even they struggle to keep up.
That <95MBps SD card story is nightmarish.