My Photography Gear: What’s in My Bag as a Wedding Photographer

One of the questions I get asked , especially by newer photographers is: What kind of photography gear do you use?

And honestly, I get it. When I was first starting out, I was constantly researching gear and asking my photographer friends what they recommended. It felt overwhelming trying to figure out what I actually needed.

Now that I’ve been photographing weddings for over a decade, I’ve really dialed in the photography gear that works best for my style and workflow. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade, I hope this list gives you a helpful starting point.

 

CAMERAS:

Nikon D850: If you photograph weddings, this camera is a powerhouse, especially in low light. It has a dual card slot (SD + XQD), which is a must for wedding days. It’s been my favorite camera for years and one I’d absolutely recommend if you’re ready to invest in pro-level photography gear.

Nikon D810: This camera is pretty comparable with the D850! I love that the D810 handles ISO (2000+) with minimal noise. The only negative is the file size (they are huge!), but the image quality is unbeatable. It also has dual card slots (SD+CF).

Nikon D750: This was my original backup camera, and it’s still a great option for photographers who want a full frame camera body. It has dual SD card slots.

 

Lenses:

• Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8
• Nikon 85mm f/1.8G
• Nikon 50mm f/1.8G
• Nikon 35mm f/1.8G
• Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8
• Sigma 24mm f/1.4

If you’re trying to figure our which lens to invest in next, you can check out my blog post on the best lenses for wedding photography. I break down exactly what I use for different parts of the wedding day and why I love them.

 

Flashes & Lighting:

• Yongnuo YN 560 III

 

Wireless Flash Triggers:

• Yongnuo RF-603NII-N3

 

Bags:

Rolling Camera Bag: This is hands down one of the most practical pieces of photography gear I own. It works as both a rolling suitcase and backpack, which makes it perfect for weddings or travel. It fits so much more gear than you’d expect, including multiple camera bodies, lenses, flashes, batteries, chargers and more. If you’re looking for a travel friendly camera bag that does it all, this is it.

 

 

Memory Cards:

• SanDisk Extreme PRO 32GB CF Card
• SanDisk Extreme Plus 32GB SD Card
• SanDisk Extreme PRO 64GB SD Card
• Lexar Professional 64GB SD Card
• Sony 120GB XQD Card

Having reliable memory cards is a non-negotiable on a wedding day. I always shoot on dual cards for backup and peace of mind.

 

💡Pro Tip: I format all my cards the night before the wedding so everything is fresh and ready to go.

 

Extra Batteries & Chargers

• Camera Batteries
• AA rechargeable batteries for flashes
• AAA batteries for transmitters
• AA Battery Charger

Before every wedding, I run all my batterie (especially the non-rechargeable ones) through this little battery tester. The AAA batteries in my flash triggers aren’t rechargeable, but they last through multiple weddings. So instead of tossing them too early (or worse, risking a dead flash mid reception… or during the sparkler exit! 😬) this tester gives me a quick answer. It takes less than 2 seconds and saves me from so much stress. Highly recommend it if your gear setup includes non-rechargeable batteries too!

 

Tools I Always Pack

• Macro Filters – Perfect for ring shots. Here’s an in-depth tutorial on how to use macro filters for detail shots.
• Lens Cleaning Cloth – Helps with smudges and fingerprints
• Reflector & Diffuser – Adds a little fill light when needed
• Lens Cleaning Pen & Dust Blower

 

My Styling Kit

If you love flat lays and detail shots, you need a styling kit. I’ve been building mine over the years and use it at nearly every wedding. Click the image below to shop my favorites!

 

And there you have it! I know it may seem like a lot, but photography gear really does accumulate over time. I didn’t buy it all at once, it’s been a slow and steady process of finding the gear that fits my style, workflow, and budget.

*For your convenience, this post may contain affiliate links at no extra cost to you. You might even save with special discounts I get to pass along. This also helps us to be able to continue sharing free photography tips and resources like this with you.