One of the common questions that I get from photographers who are just starting out is, “What kind of equipment do you use for weddings?” I figured it would be easiest to just write a blog about it!

First thing’s first, it’s important to note that I did not start out with all of this equipment. I’ve accumulated it over time. However, each piece is used for almost every wedding for a specific part of the day, so if you can make the investment, I highly encourage it!

Nikon D750

This is the primary full-frame body that I use. I have three, two that I actively shoot with on wedding days and one as my backup. I also use the holdfast dual strap so that I don’t have to hold onto them all day.

Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art

This is my go to lens! I love how sharp it is, and there is almost no distortion of the lens. If I had to choose one lens for an entire wedding day, it would be my nifty 50! I use this for basically the entire day, except in the specific instances I outline below with the other lenses.

Sigma 35mm 1.4 Art

This is my go-to getting ready Lens. It’s great in tight spaces and allows for me to capture more context in the image in small rooms! I also use this during open dancing for the same reason. I rarely use this for portraits as it’s a little too wide for my preference.

Sigma 85mm 1.4 Art

This lens is so creamy! The bokeh it creates gives me all the heart eyes. I primarily use this during the romantic portrait time with my bride and groom. It’s definitely a luxury lens, so it’s not necessary for a wedding day but definitely nice to have!

Nikon 105mm Macro 2.8

This is the lens I use for my ring shots and close-up detail shots. The detail this lens can capture is incredible!

Tamron 70-200mm 2.8

This is the only zoom lens that I own, and I absolutely love it!! Due to the length of the lens, the compression creates beautiful bokeh, and allows me to capture intimate moments from far away. I use this lens during ceremonies, toasts, and a lot while I’m second shooting!

My flash system is primarily yongnuo flashes and shoot through umbrellas. You can read all about my OCF system here and how I set it up for weddings!

If you are just starting out shooting weddings, I highly recommend that you invest in a full frame camera, a 50mm lens, and a flash. After that, you’ll be able to determine what your needs are and then go from there!

Over at the Refined Second Shooter, we have a new freebie available for you – it’s called the Ultimate Gear Guide! We share all about what we recommend, both for Nikon and Canon. Enjoy!