What’s in my Bag?

I often get asked what gear I’m using and what all I carry with me at weddings, so today I thought I would go ahead and write a post about my “go-to” lenses, why I’m a fan, and why you should love Canon as much as I do (Haha, just kidding…but really..).

If you’re a photographer, a bride, or just someone who is straight up curious, you’ve probably stumbled upon a few of the “What’s in my Bag?” posts. They’re a lot of fun and can be super helpful to figure out which big glass purchase you will be making next. So, here is my contribution to the purchase of your next Lens or body. 

First off, I have to come out and say it outright: I am a Canon girl all the way. There isn’t anything wrong with Nikon, however, I can definitely tell when a picture has been taken with one, and I just prefer the Canon look better. Maybe one day I will be persuaded otherwise, but for now, I’ll stick with my gear. 

My Cameras: 

I have three cameras that I bring with me to weddings. That’s right THREE. 

My main squeeze is my pride & joy and joined the family last October: The Canon 5D Mark III

This bad boy is absolutely incredible. I think the biggest thing about this body is that it is able to handle low light situations with such ease and you can crank that ISO pretty high before you start to notice see the effects. This is super helpful for dark ceremonies and receptions. Another feature I love is how many focus points (61!!) it has in comparison to the traditional nine. It’s HUGE. Another feature I love is the ability to do multiple exposures! It’s so much fun to try new things. Overall, it’s a champion of camera bodies. I LOVE IT. 

My two other cameras are the: Canon 5D Mark II and my very last option: Canon 60D. I don’t mind my Mark II. I really do enjoy working with it. My 60D was one of my first major photography purchases. I had upgraded from a Canon Rebel XS. It’s not a camera I grab for anymore, but the flip out screen can sometimes come in handy for self portraits. 

My Lenses:

My favorite lens is the Canon 50mm 1.2. L . It is almost always on my camera, and by almost always, I mean: It comes off for wedding ceremonies, occasionally for wide angle shots, and that is it. If it’s not a wedding, this baby is on my camera. I find that I really love the 50mm focal length. I think it’s perfect for being able to capture the right shots at the right moments without having to be entirely invasive. It is so diverse…I can pick it up and bring it to a wedding, senior session, or family shoot and I know it will do the job right every tie.  The 1.2 Aperture is perfect because it allows me to make the most of the natural light available as well as get some super dreamy bokeh & blurred backgrounds. I think this is a MUST for any photographer. 

Next in my bag is the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L Telephoto. I’m usually a fixed focal length (prime) lens user. However, this is a pretty amazing lens that shouldn’t be put aside. Up until recently, I was renting this lens because I believe it is necessary for a wedding ceremony. Thankfully, my husband decided to get me one! (Cue *Awwwwe* ) This lens is HEAVY. When shooting with this lens, it is arms day all day. BUT it provides incredible photos. As I said earlier, I use it primarily for the wedding ceremony. It offers the opportunity to quickly zoom in without interfering with the ceremony or taking center stage. The pictures that can come from this lens are out of this world. I especially love it for outdoor weddings. The extra benefit of this lens, is that it actually takes really nice portraits. Double benefit.  

My very first L series lens was the Canon 135mm f/2L . I purchased this lens because I am absolutely in love with the creamy photos it produces. It has a low enough aperture where I can use it in pretty low lighting. I find that I don’t reach for it as often as I used to. It’s sad, however, the focal length is a little too large for me, and I feel like I’m super far from my couples when I’m shooting with it. I literally opened about 15 different file folders before I found a photo that I had shot with it that was recent. However, it worked wonders for this wedding.. 

A lens that is always with me on wedding days is the Canon 100mm 2.8L Macro. I rent it currently, however, it’s the next one on my list to purchase. This lens doubles as a macro and a portrait lens. It is a favorite for closeups and details and those pictures are always some of my favorites. 

I carry 3 flashes with me on wedding days: 2 600 EX-RT’s and 430 EX II Speedlites. The 600 EX-RT’s are awesome because they can trigger my 430 speedlite. Plus, they have enough power to not have to do a ton of post processing to get them looking good. If you’re looking to purchase a flash, I highly recommend saving up a little longer and getting the 600. It is well worth the investment. 

A few other things you’ll find in my bag: Batteries, chargers, filters, a flash diffuser, SD & CF cards, a dust brush, Shout wipes (I’ve used them before!), white chalk (Used with the wipes), bobby pins, & hair ties. 

And there you have it! The tools that help me create art and pursue my dreams. Have any questions? Comment below! I’d love to talk gear with you. 🙂 *pushes up nerdy glasses.*