What’s in My Camera Bag?
Nikon Z8 with Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S
Weddings are without a doubt the most important events that I photograph. Over the years, I have streamlined my gear to provide the highest quality photo and video to document your day in a timeless way.
The Cameras:
The most important items in my bag are, of course, my cameras. I always have two bodies to ensure I'm covered for every shot and never risk missing a moment. Redundancy is key in case of a camera failure as well (rare, but it does happen) and it won't affect your day.
Primary Camera: My primary camera is the Nikon Z8, which is one of Nikon's latest flagship professional full frame mirrorless bodies, featuring a 45.7 megapixel stacked sensor with one of the fastest readout speeds in the market. The Expeed 7 processor and updated autofocus capabilities make this camera the best tool for capturing quick moments. Most importantly, it utilizes two card slots to ensure an instant backup of your images in the case of a card failure. And perhaps one of my favorite features of this camera is that there is no mechanical shutter. With the insanely quick sensor readout speed, a mechanical shutter would have been redundant, thus allowing for completely silent operation (incredible for wedding ceremonies!) This camera is absolutely impressive, providing excellent low light performance, fast autofocus, and great dynamic range.
Secondary Camera: The last thing you want at a wedding is a camera failure, so I always bring along a second body. My secondary/backup camera is the Nikon Zf, which shares Nikon's latest Expeed 7 processor, updated autofocus, along with the majority of features in the Z8, ensuring I can switch seamlessly in case of emergency without missing anything. This is also what I use to film ceremony videos!
The Lenses:
Having a capable camera body is only half of the equation. High quality lenses are the key to getting the professional look and feel to your images. Weddings are very diverse in the variety of shots needed to capture, everything from close up ring photos to dimly lit reception dancing, and I'm prepared to capture it all.
20mm f/2.8: The widest of the bunch, great for reception group shots or times when space is tight!
50mm f/1.8: The 50mm lens is my favorite for everything from family portraits to weddings. I use this lens for many parts of the day, especially for isolating the subject in busy environments, such as the bride getting ready in a busy and full room, the f/1.8 aperture provides a shallow depth of field which helps isolate the subject and blur away the background. This lens can really be used for just about anything.
28-75mm f/2.8: The most versatile in the kit - this lens is key for wedding days when things move so quickly. Its versatility allows me to go from wide shots of the venue to tight close-ups during the ceremony without changing lenses.
85mm f/1.8: The portrait king. The 85mm typically only comes out for bride and groom portraits, giving those stunning, creamy blurred background romantic shots. Its wide aperture and medium telephoto focal length allows for beautiful depth of field.
Flashes, Batteries, and more:
While natural light is beautiful and my preferred style, weddings often require supplemental lighting, especially indoors or at night. I carry a few key items to ensure that my lighting is always on point.
Flashes: I always have two flashes in my bag. It's essential for moments where there’s low ambient light, like indoor receptions or the first dance. I also use them for more dramatic portraits or creative shots.
Flash Stands: These allow me to place my flashes around the room to get the best coverage and angles.
RGB LED Light: I bring along a small LED light, which can be nice to have for details of rings, table decor, or as a supplemental light for video.
Extra Camera Batteries: I bring a lot of spare batteries. There’s nothing worse than running out of power at the worst time, so I always have a spare or two in my pocket or bag with me at all times.
Memory Cards: I carry card case full of extra memory cards, formatted and ready to go. I photograph in RAW format to ensure I get the highest image quality, so I need plenty of space. Once a card is full, it goes directly into a safe storage compartment to keep things organized and avoid confusion.
Portable Storage Drive: At the end of the day, I back up my files to a portable drive. This step is a precaution in case something happens to the cards, so I have a backup copy in case of emergency.
