Lately I’ve been getting many IG messages about the gear I use and questions about my lenses specifically, so I thought I would write this blog post about what’s in my camera bag! I will also share which lenses I typically use during different parts of a wedding day! I use a Kelly Moore “The Kate 2.0” messenger bag. It is great for several reasons including that it has been durable, it has padded removable dividers, three zipper pockets and most importantly, I can keep it open and quickly access my lenses during a shoot! I would say it comfortably fits one camera body and 3 lenses, but to be fair it does get a bit heavy!

What’s in My Bag

Okay, I could write an entire post about this topic but I actually have both Canon and Nikon bodies/lenses and I always say I love them BOTH for different reasons. Ergonomically I prefer Canon – it fits my hands better and I like the placement of the buttons. But, there’s something so steadfast about my Nikon gear. The images are so sharp and it performs fantastically in low-light situations. I truly believe both brands produce amazing cameras and lenses! Okay, on to the cameras and lenses:

Camera Bodies

Canon 5Div

Nikon D750

Lenses

35mm f1.4 (Canon)

50mm f1.2 (Canon), 50mm f1.8 (Nikon)

85mm f1.4 (Canon)

100mm f2.8 (Canon)

70-200mm f2.8 (Nikon)

Which Lenses I Use During Different Parts of the Wedding Day

35mm

This is a wider lens so it is perfect in tight places or when I want to capture a wider image in general.

-I use this during the getting ready part of the day (especially if the getting ready space is tight) to capture candids and also many of the detail shots (e.g. the dress).

-For wide shots of the reception/ceremony areas

-After toasts and first dances, this lens stays on my camera throughout the reception. It works perfectly to capture group pictures and party dancing!!

Tip: if you don’t have a macro lens, this lens works well for ring shots! This image below was taken with a 35mm!

50mm

This lens is so versatile and it is the only lens I have for both my Nikon and Canon cameras. This all-around lens can literally serve a purpose during every part of the day.

-Getting ready

-Family formals

-Bridal party portraits

-Bride & groom portraits

-Reception details

-Reception

85mm

This lens is amazing and it is hands down my favorite portrait lens!

-Bride and groom portraits

70-200mm

While I overall prefer prime lenses, this zoom lens is such a workhorse!!  There are two parts of the wedding day specifically I use this lens: the first look and ceremony. This long lens is perfect for these two parts of the wedding day because it allows me to be further away and be as unobtrusive as possible.

-First look

-Ceremony

-Other: family formals/bridal party

Another benefit of this lens is that it can be used for quick close-ups.  The first image was captured at 70mm and then the close-up was taken at 200mm.

100mm

This is a macro lens so it is used for close-ups. I take all my ring shots with this lens.

-Ring shots

A fun comparison of how the lens choice changes the look of the image.

This is taken with the 35mm….

And this with the 70-200mm (taken at 86mm). 

Bonus: Flashes!

For flashes I use Godox V860 flashes and Manfrotto stands. One awesome feature of the flashes is that they use Li-ion batteries and the charge lasts for hours and hours!

 

I hope you found this helpful! If you have any questions about the gear, please leave a comment below or send me a message!

-Minna