Essentials to carry on a wedding photoshoot

Finally, your dream of becoming a professional photographer is coming true and you are all set to sign the contract of your first wedding photoshoot. But still, there are few arrangements that you have to be well aware of to avoid some specific situations and to be ready and steady under every circumstance. As it is your first photoshoot as a professional, some tricks will definitely help you especially at a wedding, which involves much grandeur and chaos. We are well aware that beyond the other equipment, there are some important “must-haves” that tend to get overlooked while packing for a wedding shoot. So be ready to face certain limitations and thus, keep your bag absolutely packed with all the necessary trinkets.

In this article, we have shared 8 essentials that every wedding photographer needs in their camera bag.

Some handy essentials:

1. The right camera- The first thing that you must be well aware of as a professional photographer, is choosing the right camera for the grand day. Keep in mind that your client might be spending tons of money for a dream photo shoot on their wedding day and they have already decided to decorate their walls with some amazing portraits. So you are their sole trusted one on this day. Study and enquire a lot about the best lenses and then afford them according to your budget and knowledge. It is important to invest in a proper DSLR to make a good impression with your clients. Also, make sure to test your camera and familiarize yourself with the settings if it is a new camera before going to the wedding. Optionally, you can also carry another backup camera and batteries because gadgets are really unpredictable as you know. The Mattoon wedding photographers, even being so much experienced do not fail to carry alternatives in every wedding shoot they attend.
2. Various lenses- for a wedding, it is necessary and appropriate to shoot from various angles and so you have to be ready with different kinds of lenses to choose from. You must carry wide-angle lenses, zoom lens, portrait lens and any other specialized lens that you think would be required to make the photoshoot more impressive because you definitely would not want to miss a great shot due to the lack of good lens.
3. Flashlight- I had once been told by a Kirksville wedding photographer that weddings do not always involve a flashlight due to the brilliant grandeur and light displays, but at times it can be a light savior. If you are planning to capture twilight or night portraits, you might find it difficult to focus. So a flashlight can come into use then by temporarily illuminating your subject and then letting your Speedlight takeover. You can also use a modeling light for some special snaps of the bride. A flashlight is also capable of shooting in shabby backgrounds and turning locations that are poorly lit into bright ones.
4. iPad or other tablets- I do remember hearing this from a Danville wedding photography team that carrying an iPad or any special tablet you possess along with your camera is a wise decision. A tablet can get a cool reflection when you are doing a ring shot or capturing a close up of the registry marriage ritual. Moreover, a wireless camera can help you to review your images and opt for a quick edit to post on social media or show them to the wedding party.
5. Wood hangers- If you have signed the deal to do some portrait shots for the bride before the main wedding rituals get started, then you better keep some wooden hangers available in your bag. You will probably not like to hang up a wedding gown on an ugly plastic hanger during the details shots. Decorating a portion with highly furnished wooden hangers with beautiful wedding outfits adorning them can also be induced in some photos, signifying the dressing room of the bride to be. So never let yourself miss a single chance of capturing those little details that turn out to be quite amazing.
6. An assistant- Whether you are a solo professional or are associated with any photography company, try to take an assistant with you as a backup photographer. Especially at a wedding, you have to be the shutterbug of many people along with the main couple. So if there is an issue with your camera or focus lens, then the one assisting you can take the lead and capture all the special moments that you might have missed completely.
7. Emergency props- Be sure to carry a few emergency props in order to cover up certain limitations and back draws. A good shot can be completely get messed up due to a lack of proper background or light or any other issue. A prop can serve to be a great savior at that time. Moreover, props are trendy ways to make the wedding photoshoot creative and interesting. So if your client is unaware of this, believe us, they will thank you after you have displayed those impressive props from your bag and have taken the photoshoot to another level. Check here for some amazing portfolios where props have been brilliantly used.
8. Promotional cards- When you are at a wedding, you are obviously not carrying your promotional or marketing team along with you. So it is your duty to try promoting your business as much as you can, especially if you are new in this profession or if you are associated with a startup photography company. But for this, you will also need the help and permission of your client. Get some impressive looking business cards printed and you can place them in a few visible corners of the wedding venue from where they can fetch the attention of the invitees. Never miss a chance to advertise your hard work, if also to a minor extent.

It’s the duty of a photographer to freeze every special moment of the D-day and you certainly do not want to disappoint your valuable client. So keep these essentials handy to avoid unfavorable situations. Trust the experts in this field for some alluring captures.