What's in my wedding photography camera bag for 2024?
As a self-confessed geek and a lover of technology being a photographer tends to mean that I am always on the lookout for new gadgets and equipment to improve my craft. That's why today, I wanted to give you a sneak peek inside my wedding photography camera bag and show you what the main photography gear I'll be using for weddings in 2024 and why, and what little extras I've learnt to take with me.
Small note - I’ve included links to each of these items on various sites, some are affiliate links, which means I get a few pence if you subsequently buy the item.
The Cameras & Main Lenses
Since starting wedding photography I've used Sony cameras. I've been a fan of mirrorless cameras for years, for the lightweight and small form factor.
2 x Sony A7iv cameras - I carry two Sony A7iv camera bodies to every wedding. They have amazing autofocus, have a more ergonomic handgrip which makes them easy to hold than the A7iii, and they each have two memory card slots, so I'm always recording every photo in two locations, just in case one of the memory cards fails.
So, why do I have two cameras? With two cameras, I can easily switch between different lenses without having to constantly change them. They also function as a backup to one-another.
Sony FE 24mm ƒ2.5 G
A new addition to my gear for 2024, the FE 24 ƒ2.5 G is a little powerhouse! It's compact but packs a punch. Weighing just a quarter of my old 24mm lens, it's more discreet in size, making it a perfect fit for documentary wedding photography. While a 28mm lens for Sony E-mount would be my preferred choice - it's the sweet spot for my style of photojournalism style wedding photography - the available 28mm E-mount option doesn't quite hit the mark. Hence, the FE 24mm ƒ2.5 G steals the show for wide-angle shots this season and will be one of my main lenses for weddings. It's an ideal for capturing stories in pictures with plenty of context, great for creative portraits, perfect for group shots, and unbeatable at capturing the energy of a packed dance floor.
Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm ƒ1.8 Zeiss
The FE 55mm ƒ1.8 Zeiss is my second go-to lens for weddings. The 'normal' focal length is versatile and allows me to capture a variety of shots - from portraits to documentary details and everything in between. It's also compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around for long hours at a wedding.
Sony FE 35mm ƒ1.8
Ah, the 35mm, the beloved lens of many a photojournalist. It's wide enough to capture the context to go along with the story. You need to get up close to the action to give the viewer that sense of being right in the middle of it all. The Sony FE 35mm ƒ1.8 has been my trusty companion through several wedding seasons, but after a year of shooting with 24 and 28mm lenses, I'm transitioning to that focal length as my photography journey evolves. However, this lightweight and dependable lens will remain securely in my bag, just in case I crave a creative change.
Sony FE 85mm ƒ1.8
The FE 85mm ƒ1.8 is the lens I reach for when I want to capture stunning portraits with beautiful subject separation - that creamy 'bokeh' that people long for. It's also great for capturing candid moments during larger wedding ceremonies, speeches and the reception, without being intrusive.
My Other Lenses
Sony FE 24-70mm ƒ2.8 GM
The FE 24-70 ƒ2.8 G Master is a gorgeous zoom lens. It captures crisp images, with beautiful sharpness and contrast. The build quality is top-notch. In theory, it's amazing for a wedding day. However, it's one heavy lens! AND it's a zoom. Zooms make me (you?) lazy. I find that I stop moving to get the shot, relying on the lens to do all the work. So as much as I love this lens for its technical capabilities, I limit its use and stick to my primes for most of the day. It's amazing to have as a backup, and it's usually in my bag, or the car, in case I need it.
Sony FE 70-200mm ƒ4.0 G OSS
When it comes to larger venues, outdoor weddings or churches with restrictions on the photography, the Sony FE 70-200mm ƒ4.0 G OSS comes out. It allows me to capture intimate moments from a distance without disrupting the flow of the event. The sharpness and image quality are superb, and I never have to worry about getting in people's way or in their face. Whilst, it's relatively lightweight compared to its ƒ2.8 counterpart, it's still heavy, big and white - resembling a mini-telescope stuck on my pretty compact mirrorless camera, so it remains at home unless I know it's needed.
Zeiss Loxia 50mm ƒ2 Planar T*
The Zeiss Loxia 50mm ƒ2 Planar lens is a real gem - small, lightweight, and delivers stunningly sharp images with beautiful contrast and colours. I picked up this lens in 2022 because it's all about that manual focus life. Now, you might think zipping around with a camera boasting lightning-fast autofocus is the way to go, but trust me, slowing down and being intentional with each shot brings out the artist in me. Despite its small size, the quality of this lens is top-notch - just what you'd expect from Zeiss. It's a definite win for any photographer, especially those keen on street photography, looking to add an intentional touch to their craft.
Flash & Lighting
Godox Lux Junior
New to this year's kit, and based upon some great recommendations for travelling light, is a new flash. The Godox Lux Junior is an absolute little powerhouse of a flash that looks like it's just stepped out of a retro photography catalogue. It's compact, takes 2xAAA batteries (see below), and weighs virtually nothing on camera, making it ideal for documentary wedding photography - particularly receptions and dancing, where being discrete, nimble, and quick is key to capturing moments.
Godox V1S
The Godox V1S has been my go-to flash for several wedding seasons. It's powerful, versatile, and has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (no more scrounging around for AA batteries!) that easily lasts all evening, and its tiltable/rotatable head makes it ideal for bouncing light. The downside, it's quite heavy and adds a lot of size to the camera setup, which makes it less than ideal for a full dancefloor.
Godox ML60 Bi-Colour LED Light
For those moments when a little more light is needed, but flash isn't appropriate (think couples or guests where epilepsy is a concern, or during speeches where constant flashing may cause distraction) the Godox ML60 Bi-Colour LED Light is perfect. It's compact, lightweight and packs a punch with its brightness and adjustable colour temperature. Whether it's adding a touch of warm light to a dimly lit room, creating some backlighting for speeches, add this to a gorilla-pod or light stand and you can control the lighting to get perfect photos.
Accessories
Batteries
The one downside to mirrorless cameras is the battery use - easily fixed, though, by carrying multiple batteries to every wedding. I use genuine Sony NP-FZ100 batteries as I trust their reliability, and have heard many a horror story about cheaper batteries damaging cameras. I usually take 4 batteries for each of my cameras (8 total) to a full day wedding.
For the Godox V1S, the lithium-ion battery, easily lasts through the evening of a wedding, and the charger is ultra-compact so can just get popped in the bag in case it gets low.
The Godox Lux Junior uses AAA-size batteries, so I use Eneloop and Phillips high-capacity rechargeable batteries, to minimise battery waste.
SD Cards
With the high resolution of modern cameras, it's important to have large capacity and high-speed cards for continuous shooting. I use SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC cards, usually 128GB for a full-day, obviously two in each camera to ensure backups are made as I take photos. I carry spare cards in a secure case, in case a card fails or I have a great day and fill them!
Tiffen Black Pro-Mist Filters
I use Tiffen Black Pro-Mist filters, the original mist filter created for film work. They are perfect for portraits, adding a slight haze and softening skin tones, but I mainly love them for softening harsh light after sunset. They also work well for creating a cinematic look in video footage.
Cleaning Kit
A blower, soft cleaning brush, and lens cloth are essentials in my bag - it's all too easy to stick a greasy fingerprint on a lens - plus I wear glasses which suffer the same problem!
Harness
The Desired Leather Dual Camera Harness is my absolute go-to for those non-stop, action-packed wedding days. It's perfect when it comes to juggling multiple cameras. Hand-made by a family business from high-quality leather that promises to age as gracefully as fine wine, this harness ensures my gear is always within reach, balanced, and, more importantly, secure. No more awkward shuffling or the dreaded equipment drop. Check them out at Desired Leather (code cris8 for 8% off); your back will thank you!
Tech
Apple MacBook Pro
Not something I usually have in my wedding photography bag for the average wedding, but when it's a jam-packed weekend of weddings away from home, the trusty Apple MacBook Pro M1 13" comes to the rescue. It's compact and handles the task of backing up photos, managing business, and editing sneak peeks like a pro! Stay tuned for more info on my complete editing computer setup - a post is in the works!
Apple Watch
So, much like my approach to wedding photography, I never fancied joining the Apple Watch crew (I had the same view of AirPods until I gave them a shot and experienced the seamless syncing between devices). It just felt a bit like a toy, and talking to my wrist brought back memories of cheesy sci-fi or Ben 10. But then, I caved... Now, I can sneakily check messages from family at weddings, keep family photography lists handy, know the wedding day's schedule - oh, and let's not overlook the app that alerts you to the golden hour. It's incredibly handy for a wedding photographer, and if you're an Apple enthusiast, I'd strongly recommend making the investment. Stay tuned for a post on how I leverage mine for wedding photography.
Other stuff
So, what other things should I bring to weddings? Here's a list of essentials I've picked up along the way, and each one probably comes with its own little tale!
Ear plugs
Live bands are pretty amazing, right? Ever tried snapping a candid shot right in front of the drum kit or beside that speaker blasting out electric guitar tunes? You end up leaving the wedding with your ears ringing all the way home. Now, I bring earplugs to every wedding in my bag, usually with a few spares, because there's always some poor kid suffering on the loudest of dance floors.
Sun protection
Weddings are predominantly a summer affair and although the British weather is unpredictable, even in June, there are days the sun is blazing, the thermometer hits 35℃ and you don't realise that you're rapidly changing from pale to lobster as the ceremony moves into the drinks reception. Factor 50 might not help top up the tan, but it stops the burn.
Sewing kit
No, I'm not an undercover bridesmaid... A lot can happen during a wedding day and someone will always need scissors (usually groomsmen who haven't touched the threads in their sewn-up pockets) and a needle and thread. Whether it's fixing a button or sewing up a ripped dress, this handy little tool has saved the day more times than I can count. I can also sew, which is the quick route to getting a good Google review from the mother of the bride!
Paracetamol, Loperamide, Antihistmines
Wait, isn't this supposed to be a fun day? Yes, it is! But with all the excitement and emotions that come with weddings, there's always someone who ends up feeling under the weather - including the photographer. Having some basic over-the-counter medicine in your bag can save the day - trust me on this one.
Tissues
Weddings are filled with happy tears and emotional moments. As a photographer, I've witnessed countless touching moments between loved ones that have brought tears to my eyes. And yes, sometimes even the toughest groom sheds a few tears when he sees his bride walking down the aisle. So, I always make sure to carry tissues in my bag - for myself and for anyone else who might need them.
Snacks
A hungry photographer is not a happy photographer. Weddings can be long and tiring, and although I always have a chat with my couples about getting a supplier meal, being on your feet and watchful for 10+ hours means topping up the energy. That's why I always have some snacks in my bag to munch on throughout the day. Whether it's a granola bar or some chocolate, having something to nibble on keeps my energy up and keeps me happy.
Leatherman Wave Multitool
You might be wondering why an alternative wedding photographer like me needs a multitool with pliers, screwdrivers, and a couple of knives, right? Well, let me tell you - these tools have come in handy at weddings more times than you'd think! From snipping loose threads to helping with stubborn earrings, this trusty multitool has been my sidekick for over 25 years!
Planning sheet
Although I pop all the key details of the wedding day timeline into my Apple Calendar to use on my phone and watch, it's always worth carrying a paper copy or two. I inherited the layout from my trusty mentor and friend, and, with some minor adjustments over the seasons, it is a one-page summary of the wedding day, from main events to key people, including those special notes about those two family members who don't see eye to eye.
Keep an eye out for a downloadable template, available soon.
Trainers/Sneakers
Last, but by no means least, my footwear. I'm a bit of a sneaker head (if you haven't guessed already), and I always make sure to wear a comfortable pair of trainers on the wedding day. More often that not it'll be a pair of Vans, Air Force Ones or Dunks. Not only do they offer support for my feet during those long hours, but they also allow me to move quickly and quietly around the venue without drawing attention - other than perhaps the colour!
Well, there you have it! My absolute must-haves for capturing those unforgettable moments at weddings. It's such a mix, but each item has its own story and reason for being in my arsenal. If you're a budding photographer looking for more tips or someone just curious about the quirks of an alternative wedding photographer's gear, make sure to check out my other pages for heaps more insights. And hey, if you're really keen to dive deep and get some personalised advice, I'm all ears for one-to-one mentoring. Just drop me a line, and we'll make it happen. Remember, it's all about capturing love in its truest form, and with the right tools (and shoes!), you're already halfway there.
