What’s in Your Wedding Photography Bag – Here are 10 extras you never thought to have in your camera bag when Shooting a Wedding for the First Time. Wedding photography equipment is important but these extras will save the day for a wedding photographer.
When I photographed my first wedding I was beyond excited. I packed my lens’ and camera equipment into my camera bag, put on a fresh coat of lipstick and headed out the door. Only to return, hours later feeling totally defeated.
Shooting a Wedding for the First Time
Photographing a Wedding had been a lot harder than I had anticipated! Not only do we worry about what to wear when you are the wedding photographer but if we are prepared with all of our gear and camera bag for the wedding day!
Until that time, I had only ever seen a wedding in attendance as guest or blogged by my favorite photographers online. I had assumed that pretty pictures were just waiting to be taken. What I learned, though, was that pretty pictures are created. The art of Wedding photography is more than just snapping photos of beautiful details and fabulously dressed up people. Instead, it’s creating experiences in which things and people look their very best and then freezing those moments in time.
In order to create the very prettiest photographs, I’ve learned that I need a few things in addition to my camera and lens’. So, today, I want to share what I pack in my camera bag each and every wedding. Some of them you may not expect to see when it comes to wedding extras. These things help me create timeless experiences and beautiful photographs. They also help me serve my clients to the best of my ability! So whether it’s your 100th wedding to shoot or you are Shooting a Wedding for the First Time you’ll want to pack these items!
What’s in Your Wedding Photography Bag
- Wooden Hangers – These babies have saved me more times than I can count! I have a box of 10 in the back of my car at all times. Why? Because plastic hangers don’t make for pretty pictures. I love these because you can stain the wood any color, or keep it natural– and they look fabulous!
- My 3 Favorite Lens- I always carry three lens with me, and these are them! I adore my 50 mm 1.4,85mm 1.8, + 100 mm 2.8. I could rave about them all day long! They allow me to have creamy, bokeh filled portraits, while also having the freedom to capture the details of a wedding day! I also rent the 70-200 mm!
- Tissues– Whether for wiping tears, or for dabbing perspiration in the summer heat, tissues are a must! No one wants glistening foreheads or upper lips photographed! As a means of not embarrassing my clients, if I notice their perspiring, I take a tissue and dab my face. Then I ask them if they would like to do the same– they most always do!
- Safety Pins + Scissors- Ever wonder how you’re going to have a strapless dress on a hanger without using those ugly white straps? Find 2 of the biggest safety pins you can, and you’re set! Tiny scissors are perfect for clipping loose threads.
- Needle + Thread- It always pays to be prepared! I almost didn’t include these in my bag when I packed for my last wedding. While getting ready, the bride accidentally ripped her dress, and guess who was able to fix it? SO glad I had these!
- Extra Memory Cards + Batteries- Extras are always a must! Especially if you have a second shooter with you. Mark your equipment when washi tape, so none of it get’s mixed up.
- Red Lipstick – I love wearing a bold lip when I photograph Weddings! A little extra red colored confidence never hurt anyone 😉 I carry an extra tube for touch ups.
- Business Cards- You would be SO surprised at how many photographers don’t have up to date business cards! Wedding Days are the perfect time to hand these suckers out!
- A Snack- Whether it’s for you, or someone in the bridal party, I can promise you that the granola bar you pack will most always get eaten!
- Hair Ties + Bobby Pins- It’s safe to assume that the make up artist or hair stylist will have a few extras on hand, but they don’t always stay for the whole event! That being said, extra bobby pins are perfect for pinning back stray hairs + fly aways.
Katelyn James talks about her favorite and what she calls the best camera bag for wedding photographers!
Guest Blogger:
Anna Filly is a destination Wedding + Portrait photographer located in the sweet and southern city of Mobile, Alabama. She adores creating unique experiences for her clients that allow them to be genuine, joyful and their most confident self. Along with photographing her fabulous clients, Anna enjoys travel, cinnamon lattes, frozen gummy bears and inspiring growth in others. Wanna connect? She’d love to hear from you!
Linda Orfield says
This is wonderful, timely advice! I will be shooting my first wedding in November.
Ry Whiddon says
Do you recommend an approx amount of memory? Knowing I am trigger happy I want to be prepared. I have my first weddings in October…3 in a row. My main concern is something technical going wrong. So I am going armed with my trusty 32gb sd card, an extra new 64GB sd card, and a back up 8GB sd ( just incase). I am also considering taking my laptop incase I need to quickly transfer images and clear a card. Am I being ridiculous?
Andrea says
How do you hang the dress with the safety pins?? Won’t the bride freak.