Let’s face it - there is a lot of gear needed to be a wedding photographer. From camera bodies to lenses, strobes to light stands, camera remotes to camera straps, and everything in between, the wedding photographer’s kit is a big one!
And, since the gear list is so large, it’s easy to overlook items that might not be as obvious but are every bit as useful for getting the job done.
In this article, we explore three pieces of gear that are must-haves for the savvy wedding photographer. Let’s get started!
Get a Great Second Camera Body
A lot of photographers use their old camera as a backup once they invest in a new primary camera body. This is certainly a good way to go because it saves you a little money and lets you keep using a camera that (hopefully) still functions as it did when it was brand new.
But don’t fall into the trap of using “whatever is available” as your second camera body. It’s not something that is there just in case. Instead, you’ll need to use that camera body when your primary body/lens combination isn’t ideal for the subject you need to photograph.
Since your second camera will be in frequent use, why not outfit yourself with something that’s as good as your primary camera? Obviously, budget is a concern for many photographers, but if you’ve got the funds, a great second camera body will pay dividends. This doesn’t mean you need a top-shelf full frame camera, either.
A quality APS-C, micro four-thirds, or mirrorless body is an excellent choice for your second camera. There are many models available that have great resolution and good low-light performance. What’s more, these kinds of camera bodies are smaller and lighter, so you can carry them for long periods more easily, and you can maneuver around tight venues without knocking into guests with your camera and lens.
Outfit Yourself With Specialty Lenses
Though specialty lenses might seem like a luxury, they are becoming an increasingly critical part of many wedding photographers’ kits these days. A macro lens gives you the power to take the detail shots you need to fill in the gaps in the visual story you tell of the big day. Better still, if you pick up a telephoto macro lens, you can get those nice detail shots from up close and then take a few steps back and use it as an excellent portrait lens.
Additionally, think about adding a fisheye lens to your wedding kit. When paired with a full frame camera body, these lenses produce a 180-degree field of view with significant barrel distortion around the edges. The resulting image is something that is unique and eye-catching, and helps add a greater level of interest to the collection of photos from the day.
Buy a Comfortable Camera Strap
Though some photographers believe that any camera strap is as good as the next, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, if you’re still sporting the cheap, thin strap that came with your camera body, you’re not doing yourself any favors at all.
A comfortable camera strap - like a multi-camera harness system - takes the stress off your shoulders and helps distribute it across your back. With greater comfort comes better performance from you as well. You will be able to shoot longer with less neck, shoulder, and back pain than you otherwise would, and when you’re shooting for hours and hours on end, that’s a valuable benefit!
But beyond that, a multi-camera strap like the Holdfast Money Maker makes your job as a wedding photographer much easier. The Money Maker gives you easy access to your gear, which hangs safely and securely high on your body so there’s no banging of your gear on objects as you walk by, and everything on the harness is at your fingertips.
These harnesses come with multiple safety features so you’re sure that once your cameras are attached, they aren’t going anywhere. The leather construction of many Money Maker harnesses means you get the ultimate in strength and comfort - they come with shearling lined shoulder pads that make them a joy to wear. Furthermore, these straps look stunning, so they aren’t just functional but will also complement your attire for even the swankiest of weddings.
As noted above, there are plenty of items you need to have in your wedding photography kit, but if you get started with a great second camera body, a couple of specialty lenses, and a top-notch camera strap system like the Holdfast Money Maker, you’ll be well on your way to being able to work in comfort (and style) and produce images that truly wow your clients. That’s not a bad deal at all!