Camera Equipment for Weddings
Weddings are always a large project for photographers because they require a photographer to get a wide variety of photos. We have to capture wide landscape photos of the venue, crystal clear portraits of the couple, Super close up photos of the ring, and bright photos even when the room is very dark. With this being said, I have a list of equipment essentials I bring with me to every wedding to fully illustrate my client’s visions.
To start off, I always use canon cameras and lenses. They are the best in the wedding photography industry, and I would recommend them to any other photographers. I always bring two cameras, just in case that worst case scenario happens and one of your cameras breaks on the big day. My main camera is a Canon EOS R5, and my secondary camera is a Canon 5D Mark iv.
For lenses I use the 11-24mm, 24-70mm, 50mm, 85mm, and my macro 100mm.
The 11-24mm is a very wide lens that I use to capture the entire venue in one photo.. Couple’s love a wide photo because it has the potential to sum up their entire wedding day in one photo. The photo can show you where the ceremony took place, where the cake was cut, where the dance party took place. So to me, this lens is one of the most important lenses to bring.
Shot with 11-24mm- San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photography
The 24-70mm is an essential lens because it can be wide or zoom. I use it during ceremonies because it helps me be prepared for fast changing movements. For example, in a church wedding you’ll want to capture the whole inside of the church, but quickly be able to get good action photos. The 24-70mm allows you to be quickly prepared for any type of photo.
Catholic Church Wedding Photography
Both shot with 24-70mm - Catholic Church Wedding Photography
The 50mm and 85mm are my portrait lenses. Their apertures go as low as 1.2, so they are very useful for low lighting scenarios. Every time I do portraits I bring both my cameras with both the lenses attached, and i alternate between the two of them. They allow the subject to be extra sharp, while the background is extra blurry.
Shot with 50mm - Getting Ready Bridal Wedding Photography
Shot with 85mm - Getting Ready Bridal Wedding Photography
The Macro 100mm is essential for the ring and accessory photos. This lens get razor sharp images, and will look like a product photo for a commercial advertisement. I love the macro and my clients always do as well.
Shot with Macro 100mm - Mandzik Wedding Photography
Besides Lenses, I always bring lighting equipment. I have speedlights that attach to the camera, and I also have studio lights that I will pull out for portraits. The lighting is essential because most of the time you end up shooting at night, or inside dark buildings.
Shot with Speedlight on Camera - Mandzik Wedding Photography
These are the main things I have in my camera bag for every wedding, and with all of the combined, you can guarantee your client they will get a comprehensive wedding album.