Essential Wedding Photography Gear: My Must Haves

As a wedding and engagement photographer, I’m often asked about the essential wedding photography gear I use to capture it all so flawlessly! From getting ready photos to hitting the dance floor, having the right gear makes a huge difference!! I’ve spent years testing out products and slowly figuring out which gear actually makes my job easier and more efficient. Today I am making this comprehensive list from what shoes I use specifically for weddings, to my favorite backpack to travel across the country with my camera gear.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. I only recommend products that I personally tested, use, and love!

Essential Wedding Photography Gear: The Harnesses I Trust

My Go-To Dual Camera Harness (Amazon link HERE!)

This dual camera harness has made my wedding days so much easier! Choosing the right harness is a crucial part of my essential wedding photography gear and is an absolute game-changer to be able to seamlessly switch back and forth between two different lenses. I can have one camera set up for wider shots, and the other for close-ups, which is especially great for ceremony time since it is a high stress moment of the wedding day.

It’s also incredibly comfortable, which is a huge deal when you’re on your feet for a 12-hour day. The weight is distributed so evenly that my shoulders don’t hurt, and I’m not sore the next day. The harness feels incredibly sturdy and is made from beautiful, high-quality vegan leather.

The bag that comes with it is a major bonus! It’s perfect for holding batteries, filters, and SD cards, giving me quick and easy access when I’m in the middle of a busy ceremony. The two-point attachment system-connecting to both the side and bottom of the camera- also gives me total peace of mind knowing my expensive gear is safe and secure.

My Favorite Single-Strap Harness (Amazon link HERE!)

When I’m shooting an engagement or family session, this single strap-harness is my absolute go-to! It allows me to stay light on my feet while keeping my camera easily accessible. The sling bag is a huge perk-it’s so spacious that I can even fit a 24-70 lens or a Godox flash inside! If I don’t need an extra lens, it holds everything else I could possibly need: extra batteries, sd cards, and even my snacks.

It’s made of the same high-quality, secure vegan leather as my dual harness, so I know my camera is safe.

A Note on Usage

I would not recommend this bag for a full wedding day or any session longer than 2-3 hours. If your camera is on the heavier side and you’re wearing it all day, the weight will eventually start to hurt your neck or shoulder. But don’t let that discourage you! It is still the perfect choice for lighter sessions and my absolute favorite harness for everyday use.

Essential Wedding Photography Gear: My Favorite Camera Bags

My Go-To Camera Backpack (Amazon link HERE!)

I use this backpack for just about everything! It’s my trusted companion for every wedding and for all of my out-of-state travel. I love that it fits perfectly as my personal item on a plane, so I know my valuable gear is always safe right under my seat. For wedding days, my husband (and amazing assistant!) carries it, so I have a full backup kit with me at all times.

The bag is surprisingly spacious. I can easily fit an extra camera, a spare lens, and a flash inside, with room to spare! The front has a zippered opening for quick access, and there’s also a side opening to this compartment for those moments when you need to grab something fast! The top compartment is great for smaller items like snacks, chargers, microphones, and light prisms. Plus, it has a handy loop on the side to attach a tripod. These bags are a very important piece of my essential gear.

The Secure Pelican Case (Amazon link HERE!)

For the most extreme protection, this Pelican case is my go-to. It’s basically a fortress for my gear! The outside is an incredibly hard shell, and the inside has durable, padded foam that keeps everything locked into place. I would trust this case with my most expensive gear, anywhere, anytime.

While it’s not practical for everyday use, it’s perfect for traveling across the country or even for just storing my gear at home to keep it safe from dust and damage. With wheels and a handle, it’s super easy to use as a carry-on and get through the airport without a hassle.

The Core Essentials: Cameras & Lenses

My Camera Body: The Sony a7 IV (Amazon link HERE!)

Making the switch from a Nikon DSLR to a mirrorless camera was a huge leap for me. I have used Nikon for years, but my gear was starting to fail me, and after a chat with the camera shop, I realized the industry was fully embracing mirrorless. While I was very hesitant to switch brand and types, I am so incredibly happy I took a chance on the Sony a7iv.

This camera is an absolute game-changer! My favorite feature by far is the advanced tracking autofocus-it’s so intuitive that it helps me nail focus with every single shot, even in fast-paced moments. The camera is also super duper fast! Plus, with two SD card slots, it gives me the peace of mind that’s absolutely essential for weddings.

The only “con”, if you can even call it that, is the battery life. I’ve found that I’ll go through about two batteries for a six-hour wedding and three for an eight-hour day, which is a bit more than I was used to with my DSLR. But honestly, that’s a very small trade-off for a camera that performs so well and I got over it fast because of how much I love the camera.

My Go-To Lens: The Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II (Amazon link HERE!)

I was a “prime lens girly” for a long time- I even thought I would die on that hill! But then I borrowed my mom’s 24-70mm lens, and she never got it back! (100% serious haha) I just couldn’t figure out what was missing from my photography, and this single lens helped me achieve the look I had wanted so badly. It was as simple as using the wrong tool for the job.

This lens is on my camera 100% of the time because it is SO versatile! The focal range is perfect for capturing everything from wide-angle shots of the full ceremony to tighter portraits of the couple’s quiet moments. The autofocus is super fast and it’s lightweight design makes it a dream for long wedding days. The wide f/2.8 aperture also works great in low light situations, so I can get beautiful, sharp images from start to finish.

My All Time Favorite Flash: The Godox V1 (Amazon link HERE!)

Making the switch to Godox V1 was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The biggest reason? It has a rechargeable lithium battery, which means I no longer have to waste money on AA batteries or deal with them overheating and dying in the middle of a first dance! The battery life on this thing is incredible and it can easily last me though the reception.

To be honest, I have always had an issue understanding flash, but the Godox V1 made it so much easier. I genuinely feel like it helped me finally learn how to use flash correctly. I barely knew how to get it to flash, and now I use manual flash settings! I also love the rounded flash head. While some might think it’s a gimmick, the rounded shape creates a much softer, more natural light that looks so much better on my subjects.

If you take on thing out of this entire post, it’s that I absolutely cannot recommend this flash enough!

Accessories That Protect My Essential Gear

SD Cards: SanDisk Extreme Pro (Amazon link HERE!)

I absolutely love my SanDish Extreme Pro SD cards! While some photographers might have a different favorite, these have been great for me. They are incredibly fast and can keep up with my camera, even when I am holding the shutter during a fast-paced moment. With their fast write speed, I’m confident my camera can clear it’s buffer quickly so I never miss a shot.

Since my camera has a dual card slot, I always use two 128gb cards for every wedding (4 total), switching them out after the ceremony as a safety precaution. This gives me peace of mind knowing all of the images are backed up instantly!

The Essential Guide to Lens Filters

When it comes to protecting my gear and getting the perfect shot, lens filters are an absolute must-have. While I have a few different ones I use, the most important filter in my kit is the clear one.

Link to the 3 filter pack HERE!

The Clear Filter: Your Lens’s Best Friend

This one lives on my camera 100% of the time. Think of it as a body guard for your lens. A high-quality lens can cost thousands of dollars, and a simply bump or drop could mean disaster. With a clear filter on, you just need to replace the filter itself-not the entire lens if it gets damaged. It’s a small investment that provides a huge peace of mind.

The Polarizing Filter: Taming the Elements

Another key piece of my kit is a polarizing filter. While I don’t use it for every shot, it’s invaluable for those tricky situations where you need it to reduce glare. I especially love using it for elopement and engagement sessions near the ocean or on the beach in San Diego, where it helps tame the bright reflections off the water.

The Star Filter: Adding a Touch of Sparkle (Amazon link HERE!)

For a more creative touch, I use a star filter. It’s a special effects filter that turns bright light sources into a beautiful starburst effect. I love using it to make the sparkle on an engagement ring pop during a proposal, or to add a little extra to shots of sparkling water at places like Sunset Cliffs. It’s a fun and easy way to make shiny objects look even better.

These filters are all essential for my photography, helping me protect my equipment and get the best results for every ceremony and photoshoot.

My Secret to Surviving a 10-hour Wedding Day

Every photographer knows the feeling: after hours of being on your feet, running around to capture every moment, your feet are begging for a break. For a long time, I struggled with foot pain after just four hours, but I’m happy to say those days are gone.

My secret? Brooks Ghost Max 2 (Amazon link HERE!)

These shoes are an absolute game-changer. Wearing them feel like literally walking on clouds. I can now do a full day wedding and finish the day without any foot pain. Yes you read that right. They provide the support and cushioning I need to stay comfortable and focused on my craft.

They have become my go-to shoes for any long day of photography, especially for weddings where I am constantly on the move! I’m so sold on them that I honestly can’t see myself ever using another shoe for a long day on the job.

What’s the one piece of gear you can’t live without for a long day of photography and consider it a part of your essential wedding photography gear? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

Ready to book your own session? Inquire at www.photosbycharlee.com/contact .