When I was planning my blog for this week, I realized I haven’t done a “What’s in my bag” series! I have been asked many times what equipment I use, so why not write a blog post about it? 🙂 This will be a new series I will continue for this spring/summer with this post being the introduction to my equipment. We will get to know every piece of equipment and their importance over the weeks to come. If you come across any questions when looking through this list, write in the comment section and I will be sure to answer them throughout the series. 🙂
These are the lenses I keep on hand for every wedding (photo not including the lens I used for this photograph: Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G). I LOVE prime lenses so really I barely touch the 24-70mm, but it is a great lens for a super wide angle ceremony shot or reception shot. Again, I’ll be going more in depth for each lens over the weeks. From left to right I have lined up: Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8, Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G, Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G, Nikkor 35mm f/2.4G and the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G.
Below, is a photo of my baby, Nikon D4!!! I cannot tell you enough how amazing this investment was … and definitely an investment!!! I will go in more depth about this camera and what led me to this purchase 1.5 years ago. Oh and of course, I am in LOVE with my leather customized Fotostrap! The quality of this camera truly stands out from the line up … not to mention, the ISO creates beautiful photos when I am in darker environments.
It is SO necessary to be prepared for anything to come your way, especially as a wedding photographer. Backups ARE absolutely an important investment. I actually started with my D700 before purchasing the D4 and it has gone through so much, but still use it as a great backup camera. 🙂 I purchased the D750 last year as a backup to my backup since I had my second shooter using my D700. Better to be over prepared than not prepared enough! Even though they honestly sits in my bag, I feel reassured and confident during a wedding day.
Speaking of being over prepared, it is also necessary to cycle through cards! My cameras take Compact Flash (except for my new D750: takes SD cards and I still use the same brand) and I really trust SanDisk Extreme! They have been SO reliable from portrait sessions to the wedding day. I feel at ease when I have these cards because I am able to continue photographing portrait sessions throughout the week while having the original copy of the wedding photos sit on the card until I am completely finished with the edits. I also backup the wedding photos on three different sources on top of the original copy on the cards. Extra reassurance. 🙂
This is important! I love the D4 because it has an extra slot for BACKUP photos!!! Take advantage of that slot my friends! If something happens to that card, it is so good to have a backup just in case! My Nikon body takes XQD cards and even though it was an investment to purchase these … SO SO SO worth it! Again, a wedding day can only happen once so extra reassurance is absolutely hands down necessary. I use these for both wedding day and portrait sessions.
Every photographer is different with their light set up but I prefer speed lights during reception shots. I use my two SB-910s (one on my camera and one off set up on a stand) and have the SB-700 as a backup. Again, backups are crucial. 😉 I’ll be talking more about these in my future blog post but I currently love my set up at receptions!
If you use speed lights, you know how many batteries you can go through EASILY in just one night!!! Gosh, I remember the days of throwing away 12-16 batteries PER wedding … such a waste. I am SO thankful I purchased Eneloop batteries years ago because it has saved me so much money! I have eight sets of four (32 rechargeable batteries) so I am all set! I only go through 12 batteries per wedding (two speed lights + 2 triggers) and cycle through these sets from wedding to wedding. LOVE LOVE LOVE them!!!
Here are some random stuff that I carry in my bag … Expodisk for color correcting on the spot, BACKUP CAMERA BODY BATTERIES (again, so necessary!), cleaning equipment, Compact Flash holders (Pelican is amazing) and of course my Yongnuo trigger set (2)! I’ll go more in depth regarding the triggers when I talk about the speed lights. 🙂
Personal random stuff: Extra pair of shoes for reception, a little snack, Ice Breakers (absolutely!), hand sanitizer, Burts Bees (ohhhh I have these in every bag possible), Advil, Business cards, flashlight (why not?), Tide to Go pen and a pen! I have other little knick knacks but I find these used often from wedding to wedding. 🙂
Looking forward to continuing this series with you all! Happy Wednesday!! If you have any questions that you want me to go over in the future posts, write your question below. 🙂
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