I often get asked what essential you should have in your Kit for a wedding.I'm sure I will forget something on the list, so feel free to add in the comments!
- Comfortable shoes (yes you are at a wedding, but your feet will ache at the end of the day)
- At least 2 cameras, even if your back up camera is a simple point and shoot, ALWAYS, ALWAYS have a back up
- Lenses, now these are your choice, I always have my wide angle for the group photos, my 18-270 for the ceremony makes sure I can get the brides smile and zoom in on Dad wiping a tear away, and then a prime lens for my bridal portraits.
- Batteries, you can never have enough, I have got into the habit of finding a plug point as soon as I get to the venue and plugging my charger in, as soon as a battery dies I put it on there, I also have 8 spares.
- Memory cards, again, you can never have too many of these
- tripod
- reflector
- a small blanket, just something you can let the bride sit on. (make sure it's a light color, I use a space blanket)
- A flash gun (I use a speedlight)
- A Flash diffuser (I love the Gary Fong one)
- water, a few bottles to drink!
I then have a bag of "essential goodies" that I take to all my shoots, not just weddings. I make sure everything is super small size in here and refill when need be.
- Duct tape (Great for everything from fixing broken cameras and taping loose branches out of the way)
- Various safety pins
- Various bobby pins and hairclips
- a nail file
- a tiny sewing kit
- breath mints
- band aids
- headache tablets
- hand cream
- chapstick
- fingerless gloves
- hand sanitizer
- wet wipes
- tissues
- A FEW DOLLARS in change (the amount of time I grab my camera bag and forget my wallet, those dollars have helped me get a quick snack)
- a cereal bar (great for a quick pick me up between shoots)
- A small sharp pair of scissors
- a lens cleaning kit
- a bungee cord
- A black Sharpie
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I decided to write this post to help brides know how to prepare their photographer for a wedding. It's all about organization! Your wedding photos are the main thing you have to remember your day. So organize, and plan them.
I am pretty flexible and even if my contract says 5 hours I usually stay longer, to get the shots in the contract. But if you want specific shots make a list. It is essential to make a list of all the people you want in formal photos, how you want people put together, eg bride, groom and brides Mom, bride and mom, bride and day, bride and step-mom, etc. And put their name in.Try make sure you don't leave dear Aunt Mildred out, or step family,weddings can be a time of healing fences so include all family.
Make a schedule and stick to it. If you have booked you photographer for 5 hours and you want specific events photographed make a schedule. GIVE a copy to the wedding organizer, the photographer, your Matron of Honor, your best-man and then tell your guests where and who will be in the formal photos and when they will take place, eg "Formal wedding photos will take place at the park on Beaumont Road after the ceremony, immediate family and the wedding party will proceed there and all other guests will proceed to the reception."
Also if you have any specific poses you want, or photos with items, put those in a bag/box, put your lists on a clipboard in that box too.
The more you communicate with your photographer the better, I don't mean text them constantly, but do write down exactly what you want and give it to them.
There will always be photos you wish you had got, the ill child, the invalid grandma, if you work with your photographer they will usually be able to make some extra time to take photos of those people a few days later, but this is a favor so you need to work round their schedule.
And last but not least, your photographer is editing YOUR photos, be nice to them.
You can find more about my photography here
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I spent the whole week, with my fingers crossed worrying about this wedding. Here in MI we have had amazing thunder storms all week, but the weather behaved and we got some great outdoor shots. Aaron and Rachel are a lovely couple who had a amazing wedding, lot's of good food, fun guests and lots of laughter! What more could you want?
You can find more about my photography here
Or follow me on Facebook
