What's in My Bag?
Are you a fellow photographer wondering what equipment I have in my bag and what I use it for? This post is for you.
Are you a past or future wedding client wondering what I was or will be lugging around with me on your wedding day? This post if for you.
Are you someone interested in getting a new camera for a loved one who is interested in getting started in photography or really likes taking pictures for fun? This post is NOT for you. I plan on writing a separate post about what to invest in when you are just starting out and learning about photography as a hobby (because I wish I hadn’t wasted so much money on things that were pretty useless in the beginning…and my husband does too). Photography equipment is EXPENSIVE and you need to know when the right time is to move from spending a few hundred dollars on a lens to a few thousand (yep, just the lens…the part that affixes to the front of the camera body…they are separate things and should be purchased separately).
This post is meant to be a running list of the equipment I currently use and what I use it for. I plan to update it as my equipment changes (Note: which I am terrible at).
This post is NOT meant to be a Nikon plug. It just so happens that the first DLSR camera my husband bought me as a gift to learn on was a Nikon. I am simply more comfortable with the language and settings and choose to be set in my ways and not try other brands. Canon is equally as great and offers equivalent products to everything I list here as Nikon. I have included links to most items on B&H so that you can see what they look like but I in no way get a commission for these links. B&H is known to be reliable with flexible return policies and I have had great experience with them but you can purchase these items from other companies as well. I have had a great experience with Amazon and Nikon directly as well.
Camera Bodies
These are my bread and butter, main cameras. One of them never leaves my side or is far from my face during a portrait session or on a wedding day. The second, is tucked away as a second-string backup for most of the day just in case. The third is either a backup for my back up or my son, Isaac is using it second shooting for me.
During the wedding ceremony you will see two of them come out when I like to have both available, locked and loaded with different lenses. One will be slung over each shoulder.
(Update: I have since given this camera away to a friend and replaced it with the 3rd D750)
This was my third-string, backup, backup camera. It served me very well over many years and it is close to my heart but it stays in my bag on a wedding day as an “I’m not taking any chances on your wedding day” precaution. (I’ve never needed to use it) I take this camera hiking with me and for things like my boy’s baseball games. *They don't make this camera anymore so the link will take you to something very similar.
If I could go back, would I have gone right for the D750 body as a first purchase? NO! That would be like handing my teenager an iPhone 12 instead of the MUCH less expensive phone that he does have and gets the job done. He needs to figure out how to really use a phone and be responsible for it, just like a person new to photography needs something to “mess with” first.
Lenses
Nikkor, 50mm, f1.4, AF-S (Autofocus), FX
This is my favorite lens. Period. This is the lens that is like my best friend from high school. I wouldn’t trust some things to anyone else. This is the lens I will shoot your entire engagement or portrait session with. I will use this lens while you are getting ready if the room is big enough. I will shoot some of your details with this lens (invitations and your full spread of details). I will use this lens for reception details and ceremony décor details, your ceremony (on one camera), bride and groom portraits, bridal party and family photos, and husband and wife portraits. I love this lens.
Nikkor, 105mm, f/2.8, Micro, AF-S, VR (Vibration Reduction), with Nano Crystal Coat, FX
Details. This lens allows me to get amazing close-up shots of your rings and other details that need to be SUPER close up. That’s it! Yup, I lug this bad boy around just for those shots.
Nikkor, 24-70mm, f/2.8, VR, FX
This lens comes out in the beginning of your wedding day and the end. I grab this lens when I have finished your details and it’s time to take candid photos of the girls or guys getting ready and getting into the dress photos. This lens is especially helpful if the room is rather small…as many are. At the end of the day, I will typically use this lens at your reception for dance floor photos as well.
Nikkor, 70-200mm, f/2.8, FL (Fluorite Lens Element), ED (Extra-Low Dispersion Glass), VR, FX
This is the lens I use on my second camera during your ceremony. It is also the lens I expect my second shooters to use for most of the wedding day. It allows him or her to stay back and to the sides not getting in my way and still get all different variations of alternative shots.
Batteries
On a wedding day, I carry 2 extra batteries for EACH of my D750 cameras. For a portrait session, I carry all of those too….because why not?! BUT I will probably leave the extra camera and 2 batteries in my car so that I can move around more easily.
Image Storage
Each of my D750 cameras loads 2 memory cards (one backs up the other as I’m am shooting). I use SanDisk Extreme PRO 64GB Memory Cards. I also carry many extra cards just in case and to switch out on a wedding day if needed. So, I have 10, 64 GB Memory Cards minimum with me during your wedding.
Artificial, Non-Available Lighting (flash)
The Other Stuff
Lens Cleaner and Microfiber cleaning cloths
Glue and Q-Tips - Just in case your eyelashes loosen, I’ve got your back. 😉
Boards and materials for your detail shots
Tissues
Lip Gloss
Hand Lotion
Baby Wipes
Nail File
About a 1,000 hair bands
Hand Warmers (if it’s cold outside)
I hope this is helpful to someone out there. What are you currently shooting with? Share with us in the comments.
