I have been photographing weddings and events for over ten years, and this is a list that I’d recommend to all novice wedding photographers for all your photographer bag necessities. Photographing weddings can be very stressful. There’s a timeline to abide by, unforeseen circumstances that come up, and a long list of shots you want to get for each event. A checklist for gear is necessary for every single wedding photographer! It streamlines the process and makes it easy to check off each item the night before. Here are the basics that I’d recommend for Photographer Wedding Bag Necessities:

2 Full Frame Cameras

I carry two cameras on me at all times: one for a wide-angle lens and one for a portrait lens. This way, as a wedding photographer, I can alternate between the two without switching lenses. Additionally, having a second camera gives me the security in case one camera fails. Time is very precious currency as a wedding photographer!

2 Flashes Minimum

As a wedding photographer, you can create dynamic lighting with two flashes. I like to always have two of everything with me just in case one dies, so having two provides security.

Styling Kit

Your styling kit is going to give you a foundation for shooting details for weddings. It can include (but is not limited to) portable flatlay surfaces, Mrs. Box, your favorite ribbons (see here and here), and a copy of their invitation suite. These details will make your wedding photography shots all the more aesthetically pleasing to the eye for your couples!

Batteries and Battery Chargers

Additional batteries are always helpful just in case something happens. Battery chargers are critical to have on hand in case of an emergency as well! Although everything should be charged prior to an event, it is still critical to have multiple backup plans for every scenario. Backup plans aren’t a physical thing I can list, but as a wedding photographer, I can’t emphasize enough how important they are to have!

Multiple Memory cards

It’s important to have a camera that holds two slots. The purpose is so that photos are backed up on a second card. If the first memory card dies, the second card will have all of the images. Memory cards are known to fail since dust gets in them, prongs fail, etc. It’s important to have multiple memory cards for supply.

Emergency Kit Bag

This emergency kit bag is helpful for you as the wedding photographer and your brides! Bring multiple basic medications. In addition, it’s best to also bring emergency items for photographing: extra command strips for the bridal gown, sewing kit, bobby pins, and Shout Tide stick. There are multiple other things you could put in this bag just in case, but it is good to at least have the basics! A good wedding photographer is always prepared for anything!

An Array of Lenses

It’s important to have multiple lenses on you for an event. I recommend a 24 mm, 50 mm, 85mm, 100 mm, and 70-200 mm. These are with me wherever I go! They are my wedding photography’s bread and butter.

And that concludes my basic essentials for every photographer’s wedding bag necessities. If you’re just starting out, this is the least you should go with!

If you have any questions, I would love to chat! Contact me here.

Want to see what’s in my kit? Click here.