Here’s my complete guide on what photography gear I bring and rely on to shoot weddings and elopements with ease! Come check it out:

As a wedding photographer, I believe that the best gear is the kind that allows me to be fully present with my couples, anticipate moments as they unfold, and create timeless images that allow me to tell their story so you can feel all the emotions and moments for generations. Over the years, I’ve refined my gear to a setup that’s lightweight, reliable, and perfect for everything from intimate elopements in the mountains to full-day celebrations surrounded by family and friends!

Here’s a peek at what’s in my bag and why I love it! You can also checkout the reel I made here where I walk you through it.

The Camera Bag

For every wedding, elopement, or session, I carry all of my gear in a Wandrd backpack. It’s hands-down my favorite bag I’ve ever owned. Not only is it sleek and comfortable to wear (even when I’m hiking around Lake Tahoe with all my lenses and camera bodies), but it’s also incredibly durable and weather-resistant—which is a must in the mountains. No joke– it literally started down-pouring after an engagement session and my gear was totally dry and fine inside! I’ll never switch.

The design keeps my gear organized and easy to access, so I never have to fumble around when a big moment is unfolding. It has padded compartments that keep my cameras and lenses safe, plus plenty of space for the little things like batteries, memory cards, and snacks (because wedding days are long!).

I love that it feels just as at home on a mountain trail as it does in a ballroom reception. It’s the perfect balance of function, style, and reliability, and it makes me feel confident that my gear is protected wherever a wedding day takes me.

Camera Bodies

I always bring three camera bodies to every wedding. This gives me peace of mind in case one has any issues, and it allows me to switch seamlessly between lenses without missing a beat. My go-to is the Canon r5 and Canon r6, which delivers incredible image quality, and my 5D Mark 4 as a backup. Switching to mirrorless has been the best decision for me, and I’m so glad I did!

Lenses

Lenses are where the magic really happens—they help me tell the story with different perspectives and feelings. My favorites are:

• 35mm f/1.4 – My storytelling lens. I use this for capturing candid, natural moments and wide scenes that give a sense of place.
• 85mm f/1.4 – Ideal for ceremonies, first kiss and cocktail hour to capture those emotional close-ups when I want to give couples their space but still capture every moment.

I still use the EF versions of my lenses since they are compatible with the Mark 4, and just use an adaptor to be able to use them with my RF camera bodies.

Lighting

While I love to use natural light as much as possible, I always come prepared for darker reception spaces or times when a flash is needed, and just adds to the overall image and story. I carry two on-camera flashes, so I can create soft, flattering light no matter the setting. I use the Godox V860ll-C flashes! They’re pretty affordable, and work amazing. I’ve never had one glitch out on me. I love them for capturing dark reception moments, or creating mid-day magic where I just need a little extra light, like this:

Memory + Power

I never take chances with storage and power, and that’s why I pack multiple memory cards, spare batteries, and chargers! This way I can keep shooting all day long without worry! I literally will bring like 10+ batteries and 10+ SD/CF cards because you just never know if you’ll need extra haha

My Camera Holster

I’ve tried all the harnesses, and after 8+ years of shooting weddings, I can confidently say that the Spider Holster is the best one yet. I have the dual mirrorless holster and it rocks. It sits on your hips = no more back or neck pain, and you can kinda go hands free once the cameras are out of the holster and in your hands. I swear by this thing! I also got an attachment for my flash, since I’m always needing it at random moments, and don’t want to waste time running back to my bag to use it. They’re amazing!!

Why This Gear Matters

At the end of the day, this gear allows me to capture stories to the best of my ability, and I’m so grateful for that!! It also allows me to be fully present and confident on a wedding day. With this setup, I know I can handle any lighting situation, any timeline, and any location while giving my couples beautiful images they’ll treasure forever.