In this episode, I dive deep into the essential photography gear I bring to every wedding. As a professional wedding photographer, I’ve developed a system over the years that provides reliability, versatility, and peace of mind on one of the most important days in my clients’ lives.
I’ll share my journey from starting with a Canon Rebel T7 I bought at Target for our honeymoon to Iceland, to my current professional setup with multiple camera bodies and specialized accessories. While I believe that the artist behind the camera is what truly creates unique art, I also acknowledge the reality that professional wedding photography requires reliable, high-quality gear to consistently deliver the results clients expect.
My Camera Evolution
My trusty Canon 5D Mark IV served me for nearly three years of weddings with its exceptional 30.4 megapixel full-frame sensor. The image quality and color science are so good that properly exposed images almost don’t need editing. While I’ve since added newer bodies to my collection, this camera remains in my kit for its reliability and gorgeous image output.
I eventually upgraded to the Canon R6 Mark II for its superior low-light performance and game-changing eye/face tracking capabilities. While it has slightly fewer megapixels (24.2 vs 30.4), the improved sensor technology and focusing system have dramatically increased my focus rate during critical moments. For wedding photography, this reliability in fast-paced environments has been worth every penny.
For film photography, I incorporate two cameras: the classic Canon AE-1 with a 50mm f/1.4 FD lens and the Olympus Stylus 120 point-and-shoot. The Olympus has been surprisingly excellent for receptions – fast, responsive, with a flash that works beautifully in various lighting scenarios.
Lenses & Accessories
My workhorse lens is the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM. I shoot 90% of every wedding with this versatile lens, which allows me to capture everything from wide ceremony shots to intimate portraits without constantly changing lenses. For my mirrorless camera, I use the Canon EF-EOS R Mount Adapter to continue using my EF lenses.
I also keep the affordable but excellent Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM in my bag for portraits, which delivers beautiful bokeh and background separation at an incredible value.
For macro photography and ring shots, I use Hoya macro filters instead of a dedicated macro lens. These filters screw onto my existing lenses and have proven to be a cost-effective alternative that still delivers beautiful, detailed close-up images.
Lighting
My flash setup includes the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT for my digital cameras and a Canon 188A Speedlite for my film cameras. I always use a diffuser during receptions for more flattering light. I also have a cautionary tale about a Godox flash that overheated to the point of almost catching fire during a reception – a reminder of why having backup equipment is so important!
Memory & Storage
I never skimp on memory cards, shooting all wedding days on SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC cards (200MB/s) for my R6 Mark II and SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB CompactFlash cards (160MB/s) for my 5D Mark IV. I always shoot dual cards in each camera for instant backups and keep everything organized in Kiorafoto memory card cases.
I bring at least 12 batteries to every wedding, stored in dedicated battery holders to keep everything organized.
Camera Support & Protection
My camera carrying system includes the Kindly Camera Bags Dual Camera Harness for ceremonies and important moments, and the Kindly Camera Bags Photographer’s Fanny Pack for times when I’m using just one camera.
For transporting my gear, I use a hardshell water-resistant camera backpack that proved its worth during a downpour in Rocky Mountain National Park, and a Think Tank hard shell rolling case for my backup gear. This rolling case is also perfect for destination weddings – it’s carry-on size and super durable.
For rainy or snowy conditions, I always pack my Think Tank Emergency Rain Cover and always keep lens wipes handy for quick cleanups.
Film Stock
For my film cameras, I use Kodak Portra 800 35mm film, which handles the variable lighting conditions of wedding days beautifully with its higher ISO and produces gorgeous skin tones.
Emergency Kit
My wedding day emergency kit includes a second fanny pack filled with essentials like toothpicks, a crochet hook (perfect for buttoning dresses), mini lint rollers, collapsible safety scissors, various pins, hair ties, tissues, a Tide stain remover pen, and common medications. These simple items have saved me and my clients countless time and tears on wedding days!
Styling Kit
My styling kit includes white hangers for dress shots, suede flat lay mats from Olive and Oak, and various styling accessories including ring trays, boxes, chiffon ribbon, and styling blocks from Champagne & Grit. These tools help me create beautiful detail photos regardless of what’s available at the venue.
Where to Buy
I’ve purchased my gear from a variety of sources including direct from Canon, Best Buy, and KEH – a professional camera equipment resale site that I highly recommend for used gear. Their grading system is reliable, and their customer service is excellent. When they once sent me a flash that didn’t work properly, they replaced it immediately without any hassle.
Remember, this gear list has evolved over years of shooting weddings and learning what works best for my style and needs. Your ideal kit might look completely different, and that’s perfectly okay! The most important thing is finding reliable tools that help you create your vision while giving you confidence on the wedding day.
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Join us in the next episode with Jasmine Isabella of Cupid Copy where we dive into using AI to help write your website copy! You can read those show notes here.
Meet Your Host of The Sundae Best
I’m a former scientist turned creative (wedding photographer, mentor, and podcaster), which means I bring both analytical thinking and artistic vision to everything I do. At home, you’ll find me hosting dinner parties with a glass of red wine, cuddling my three fur babies (Mama, Erica, and Tiffany), or planning my next adventure with my husband Dan.
Whether I’m in Iceland chasing waterfalls or at home enjoying quiet morning coffee moments, I believe in finding joy in both the grand and simple things.
Through The Sundae Best podcast, I’m sharing all the ingredients that helped me build a business that gives me time for what matters, provides for my family, and keeps my creative spirit alive. No holding back—just real strategies, served with a cherry of encouragement on top!
