Top 10 Accessories for Wedding Photographers in 2024
Prepping for a wedding shoot can feel a bit like gearing up for a moon landing: you need all the right gadgets, plenty of backups, and yes, a team of crack NASA scientists.
But don't worry, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a fresh face in the world of wedding photography, here is a list of the top 10 must-have accessories for 2024 will ensure your photo kit is less Apollo 13 and more happily-ever-after. Get ready to shoot for the stars (and the happy couple)!
None of these are as sexy as a new camera or that F/1.2 lens you want, but they’re damn useful!
Despite the terrible name it’s insanely useful. Makes those quick lens swaps in your down time super easy, no dust on sensors or on the rear elements of your lenses!
A few quick bursts is all it needs to remove most larger pieces of dust and debris, but you will still need a sensor cleaning kit, or a microfiber towel to get the best results. The best part? It holds a charge for a long time, I charge it when it needs and chuck it into my camera bag. 10/10. It always seems to be charged no matter how much I forget to double check before a wedding!
One of the best kept secrets for lens cleaning. This stuff (unlike typical isopropyl alcohol cleaners) cuts through EVERYTHING. The grossest things you’ve gotten on your lenses? Got it. Handled. No problem.
This is part of my prep for every wedding! I spend the night prior cleaning the lenses I intend on using. Make sure you get most of the large particulate matter off before you go to town, large pieces of dirt and dust can act like sandpaper if you’re not careful!
I gotta be honest. This is my favorite camera bag I’ve ever owned. I don’t even have this newer version, I’ve had the V1 for the past 7 years and it’s absolutely the best camera bag I’ve used.
From its folding dividers, flexible magnetic lock for the main compartment and its build quality; I would have paid $150 more and still been happy with my purchase.
Pro tip: if you’re really trying to pack this thing full. DISASSEMBLE YOUR CAMERAS!
I can fit my Contax 645 (w/Battery Grip & 80mm), EOS 3, and my R5 kit as well as an on camera flash, 2-3 EF lenses, all my batteries, my ziplock bag of film, my Blower Baby 2, Residual oil Remover, microfiber towels AND MY LAPTOP. This thing is no slouch. Not even close.
If you’re really pressed for space, Peak Design also makes a 30L variant!
If you take one thing away from this blog post, this backpack is the star of my photography business.
Yup. You read that right. I don’t know why these great products have hilarious names, but these WORK.
You know receptions. They can be quiet get togethers with more muted music, or massive parties with a full band. It’s fine to be there every now and then, but as wedding photographers, we are hearing the full might of those DJ speakers maybe up to every weekend.
I love blasting music as much as the next person, but what I don’t love? My tinnitus.
I keep these earplugs on my keychain at all times, so whenever I need the hearing protection, I’ve got it. Legit, you may think you don’t need these, but I promise you, when you can actually hear on the drive home after a 14 hour wedding and the day after? You’ll get it.
Alright this is the stuff you’re probably expecting. The sexy and cool stuff. My core competency and passion is photography, but my day job is video production! (Since 2014 baby!)
I have dealt with so many video cameras and video specific problems over my career, and wireless audio solutions have always been a pain in my ass. “Good” systems from Sennheiser or Deity, are not cheap, and I know the struggle of being confident in shooting video at a wedding and struggling to find those Lav’s for ceremony.
When I saw these release earlier this year, I instantly bought them. They offered the similar capabilities to the RODE Wireless PRO system, but shaving off nearly $50USD, and claiming to do the most important thing I look for in modern audio recorders: 32bit Audio Recording. This is the raw file of audio. It can salvage almost anything.
I had a cheer after a couple’s first kiss, completely clip and go unintelligible digital noise, but when I ran it through audition and set it to -26db it was totally clear. It blows my mind how good these mic’s sound.
This kit comes with 2 Wireless microphones, a receiver and all the cables you need. The microphones have a convenient clip, windscreens, and my favorite: A STRONG ASS MAGNET!! You can tuck these things almost anywhere and they’ll stick somehow. If you’re not using a 3.5mm Lavalier to specifically place the audio source, you can hide this thing behind the groom’s breast-pocket and it’s not noticeable at all.
The wireless receiver has a small touch screen for activating the mics and more. It’s super extensive, and allows you to pump the audio directly into your camera as well. Also absolutely amazing for making any social content.
I love these things. sorry for yapping.
Possibly the least sexy photography investment you can make. Keeping tons, and extra lens caps around makes misplacing that one or two no big issue at all. You have no reason to not protect your lenses. They’re the most important part of your kit, treat them like it.
bonus points if you put labels on them with your name or brand on them.
This is one of my favorite parts of any wedding day, and one of the most challenging to get started. However having a plethora of props, ring dishes, and backdrops to get you started can really start getting the flatlay juices going!
This topic and how I approach flatlays is another blog post I’m working on! I’ll go more in depth about what brands I like and what I actually use, and approach them in a really loose and fun way. They don’t need to be stressful I promise.
I know, super sexy stuff on this list. HOWEVER, I promised useful weird things, stuff you don’t wanna think about. These SMALLRIG batteries are legit awesome.
USB-C Directly into the battery to charge, and the ability to charge via any number of chargers out there? For $30 less than Canon? SIGN ME UP. These give awesome performance and the ease of use of just plugging in a USB-C cable (WHICH IT COMES WITH MIND YOU) is so convenient. I plug these into the USB in my car for example and they charge great. I’ve had no issues to date.
They’re available in all sorts of types too.
This is the best dual camera strap I’ve ever owned.
Something I really enjoy about the Holdfast “Money Maker” Strap is how effortlessly it blends into the background on a wedding day. You won’t look like you’re decked out to rock climb, and you won’t have the neon red CANON or orange SONY on you. I get complements all the time, but the best part is that it works.
The high quality construction, coupled with the secure-ness of the mounting options are unmatched. They come in all sorts of sizes no matter your build, and different colors and stains as well to fit your style.
For those of you who don’t want leather? They have vegan options too.
Yup, the last thing I recommend is the thing I use the most. Literally daily.
This thing charges my phone, a battery, and my laptop. No problem. Insane quick charging, and you can string together a massive charging corner, in the unfinished room of the barn-house you get to use on a wedding day. (Sorry, it’s the only place!)
This larger one is the one I prefer, but I also use and love this smaller one here. I also can’t make it through a wedding day without this magsafe thing too.
Well that’s about it. In closing this is everything I pack on a standard wedding day. Tons of useful things you won’t go out to find, but love once you start using them.
If you take one thing away from this, please, PLEASE get the earplugs. Don’t get tinnitus, it’s not cool I promise you.
-Robby