I am on a path with my photography where I am pushing my self to try new things and set my self apart from the main pack of talented wedding photographers (which is essential to stand out in an industry with lots of photographers to choose from) Some people call it documentary but that word is used so often and in my opinion not used correctly to describe a true documentary style of photography I tend not to use that description anymore. I don’t know exactly how to describe the path I’m on but it’s one of capturing weddings in a realistic way as possible. I love to capture photos that show personality and atmosphere. I am seriously enjoying developing my style further. Being in the wedding industry a while now doing this type of personal development and pushing my self creatively is vital to being able to doing this for another decade or two! The absolute key to my type of wedding photography are the couples. People that “get” what I do and enjoy my photography are WAY more important than the kit I use.

Main Cameras and lenses

Sony a7iv are if not a little boring, extremely trust worthy cameras that do the job well! Last year I started the switch to Sony from Nikon. I tried a Sony and loved how the images looked when edited and a completely different vibe to a Nikon image. This year I continued my switch to Sony with buying another Sony A7iv body and some new lenses.

I decided to add to my existing Sony 24mm and 35mm 1.4 GM lenses with a Sony 55mm 1.8 Zeiss and Tamron 35-150. The Tamron is such a tank of a lens but so versitle it’s well worth the back ache lugging it around! It’s fantastic for everything especially speeches and ceremonies as I can grab so many different shots in a short space of time. It gives such a prime vibe to the image, i’ve been really impressed by it especially as it’ll go as low as F2 in the wider focal lengths or F2.8 in the longer focal lengths. The 55mm is a lovely small, light weight lens that I use when the reach of the Tamron isn’t needed in moments like during morning prep, couple photos and dance floors.

The 24mm doesn’t leave my camera ever! I love it, it’s such a fantastic lens. I must shoot 70% of my photos with this lens. I can get close up street style photos, couple photos and wide angle of room set ups. The 35mm has been relegated to my camera bag which is sad as it’s close to a perfect 35mm you could ask for! I’m probably going to sell that at the end of the season along with the 55mm to get the 50mm 1.4 GM

Now you may have spotted a Nikon lurking in the group. It’s my old Nikon Z6ii with the beautiful Nikon 85mm 1.4. I enjoy using this lens so bring it with me as part of my main kit. I use the for situations such as really low light rooms during speeches and couples photos where I want the 85mm look.

Flashes

I only use flashes on the dance floor and in the evening. The Godox Lux Junior flash is a beaut of a little flash that gives that a great little burst of light and is easy to move around in tight spaces with such as a mad dance floor!

The Godox V1 flash is a great flash for the Sony. It uses a dedicated rechargeable battery which will last at least 4 weddings between charges. It’s super fast and another great lens for dance floor shots.

I have also kept the Nikon SB700. It’s a great flash, it works on my Sony’s in manual mode and I love the bounce flash it gives me. I tend to have one camera set up for direct flash and one flash bounced for dance floors. Both looks give a great vibe!

Other things I use…

The memory card pelicase is to safely store memory cards once they are full of awesome images.

The Cloverlily Handmade Leather Camera Harness (bought from Etsy) is by far the most comfortable way to carry my cameras. I have used so many different systems. From other harnesses that gave me horrendous back ache to clips that attach to your belt. The clips were great but they end up pulling your trousers low and are also a little cumbersome when you try clip the camera in. Get the Cloverlilly harness if your a photographer looking for one, its as comfy as hell!

MOSISO Camera Backpack from Amazon. It looks nice, its sturdy, its cheap and it doesn’t do that thing where the velcro dividers detach and your kit falls around in side the bag. A great bag!

MacBook Pro M1. I tend to take this with me so I can get a head start on backing up images so i’m not up for hours when I get home.

3 Legged Thing and SMALLRIG L Brackets. These L shape metal brackets are strapped to my camera bodies and save them from knocks, scuffs and scratches. A must if you want you kit to look a little less bashed up.

Back ups are super important! I had a shutter fail on one of my Sony’s this year and I had it covered with one of my Nikon Z6ii’s cameras. I have kept my full Nikon set up just incase the worst happened I can carry on shooting!

On my wish list is a Fujifilm X-PRO3, I’ve no idea why and I have not used a Fujifilm camera before but something inside my head is telling me to get one!

The Nikon TW-AF is a beautiful point and shoot film camera. I do use this for a bit of film photography when I am in the mood, I just need to get the films developed!

The Canon PowerShot G2 is a wonderful early 2000’s low res digital camera that I use to video a few behind the scenes content and photos with. I gives a fantastic nostalgic feel to photos and video.

Photographers or couples that have any questions for me please do feel free to get in touch!