What's in a Wedding Photographers Camera Bag

I was shooting an 'out of area' wedding last week (to me that is a wedding more than 20 miles from my home), went to pick up my camera bag and nearly had a hernia. It weighs so much that it reminded me of being back in the Army with your life on your back. And that is just what my camera bag is - everything I need to shoot a wedding, or portrait or just people when I am away. A portable studio in fact ready for every eventuality.

You should make sure that your own wedding photographer has the equipment required with them, or in the car, to cope for any shot you may want!

Typical Wedding Photographer's Kit (Canon User)

Canon EOS 5D Mark II with 24-70mm L f2.8 (with UV filter)Canon EOS 5D Mark II with 70-200mm L f2.8 IS (with UV filter)Two Canon 580EXII speedlights, with Stofen diffusers and mountsTwo spare 5D Mark II batteriesFour sets of rechargeable batteries for the speedlightsOne set of graduated filters for those (less and less used) creative moments4 large waterproof plastic see though bags - just in case it rainsGary Fong light sphere attached to the outside of the bagStrobies flash diffuser in a case attached to the outside of the bagManfrotto monopod strapped to the outside of the bagOne small bag containing 'hair scrunch' with sparkly bits and champagne cork for adding to the ring shots. (Makes them a bit more interesting!)Manuals for both camera and flash units - well you never know!Leatherman tool in a case on the shoulder strapSeveral climbing karabiners on the bag - come in handy when you need to secure stuff to tables / chairsOne blowerTwo cleaning clothsBottle of cleaning fluid3 sensor swabs100Gb of memory cards320Gb external HD100-business cards25 marketing brochures (for those guerrilla marketing moments!)5 x 1Gb USB memory sticks2 x 5Gb DVD-RWDVD marker penHi-Vis vestRoll of gaffer tape on the outsideLightweight tripod strapped to outside of the bagManfrotto tripod and joystick ball head on the outside of the bag

Small vanity case - I always carry hairspray, hair grips, brush, comb etc. It is much easier to make sure the bride looks perfect before the photograph is taken than in Photoshop afterwards.

Laptop Case - Sounds obvious but it makes good sense to back up the photographs as and when I can during the day. I also carry a portable 320Gb Hard Drive giving me three sets of the wedding photographs. Set 1 is on the memory cards. Set 2 is on the portable HD and set 3 is on the laptop. Needless to say all three are usually in different place with the memory cards kept in my pockets all day. I also use the laptop to show off a selection of quickly edited photographs to the happy couple and their guests.

Data Projector - if there is space at the venue then this is a great tool. Connected to the laptop I can show off the wedding photographs, usually during the evening, to guests ad evening guests.

It may seem a lot but as a professional it makes sense to ensure you have all the kit you will need rather than saying "Sorry - I need xxxx for that shot and it is in the studio."

Check with your wedding photographer what they will bring so no shots are missed!

Wedding Photography Packages in South Wales and the UK. Mid week photography packages from ?399 with Wedding Photography and Album packages starting at ?800.

Andrew has been taking photographs for many years and shooting weddings and taking wedding photographs for nearly 15 years.

He is a preferred supplier to the Cwrt Bleddyn in Usk so if you are thinking about getting married there he can offer you some great money saving deals.

http://www.andrew-miller.co.uk/
Newport Wedding Photography Packages

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