Wedding photography is a wonderful, stressful, fulfilling business.

When you get your first DSLR camera you feel like you can capture anything. You feel like you are a step ahead from where you were with your point and shoot camera. You see that you have more options, a wider range and maybe even sharper images.

Then you start photographing friends, nature, and everything in between. And you find that you truly enjoy it and you carry your camera with you everywhere you go. You bring it to parties, family events and shoot away. And you’re happy because you get compliments.

Then you get asked to do a wedding or a big event.

And that is when you realize that all you have is a camera body and a kit lens. You start to wonder if that is enough. You know that you can take some great photos, but can you be consistent in your quality for several hours?

So you start to do some research to see what you need and how to prepare for something of this magnitude. You realize it is no longer for fun and at your own pace. This is a couple and their family enjoying a very important time of their lives with you.

So let me share with you the bare essentials for Wedding photography.

1. DSLR body (mid-range to high-end preferred) $700 +
2. 2 lenses. One covering a wider area and one longer lens $700+ for both
3. A good flash that swivels so you can rotate it $350+
4. Flash cards, a minimum of 4 $100+
5. Extra batteries $100+
6. Last but not least a Wedding Contract

Others will tell you that you need a second camera to have as a backup, and backup flash, backup lenses and that makes sense. But, when you start it is ok to start slow and build your kit. Photography can get very expensive so don’t be timid about buying one item at a time.

I’m sure other photographers will add or remove items from my list, but each to their own.

Remember that you are being hired to work an event and are expected to produce the best images possible. Lack of knowledge or equipment to do the job well will only hurt your reputation and stress you out when the day throws you a curve ball.

Be prepared. And if you can’t afford it quite yet feel free to rent the equipment you need. Practice, practice, practice.

If you have any questions for me please feel free to leave a comment.

Thanks and good luck!