Equipment?

[KatTankersley]

I am trying to make a list of equipment I will need to do on location photo shoots (families, kids, weddings, etc.)

Can you guys give me some ideas of things I might need? I plan to start simple. I need an extra battery and a second SD card. I think I'd like a lens hood (but no clue which one would work best) and from there, I get lost in all the options.

I plan to shoot my first wedding (small simple ceremony and reception) coming up soon and I'm sure I'll need equipment for that.

I can't buy any new lenses but I was considering renting.

I know this is a simple question but I thought it might help me figure out what is best. I am looking to spend less money right now so the cheaper options that are good vs. the full on brand items is preferable.

I have a Canon 60D with a 18-135. I am lucky that my MIL was a photographer until her eyesight became too bad to see her shots. She gave me a pretty good tripod, remote, and 2 additional lenses. One is a 70-300 (no image stabilizer) and the other is an 18-55.

I'd love links to where you buy your stuff if that's okay. TIA!

[OsmosisStudios]

Available light, or flash? Either way you'll likely be dropping a fair bit of money down (100-200, easy).

[KatTankersley]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Available light, or flash? Either way you'll likely be dropping a fair bit of money down (100-200, easy).

I did get a flash that hooks up top the camera. Its an older one from my MIL. We haven't tested it yet though. It looks to be a good quality one, just older. Is that what you mean? I mostly work with natural light so the lighting thing is "whooop" right over my head, but it is something I'd like to learn.

[GreggObst]

Don't forget, you can also rent flashes so if that hand me down flash ends up not working out and you have that wedding coming up, rent a flash.

That having been said...
Whatever you do, don't use equipment that you are not familiar and proficient with on new, important shoots. ie, don't crack open the box on a new flash or lens (rented or otherwise) the day before the wedding. You only get one shot at a wedding. There are no "do-overs". This is supposed to be the most important day of their lives together and if you miss an important moment like the first kiss or the bride dancing with the Father because you are fumbling with some setting and you are in a mode you can't find your way out of, you are toast.

Work that equipment to death. Know your settings. Know your modes. Know what to do with that equipment so that reacting to changing conditions with the gear you have becomes second nature. Knowing your settings is not the same as finding something that works and writing it down on a slip of paper in your camera bag.

As far as location shoots, I would first understand the ambient light in that location. Go practice with one of your kids or a friend's kids in different settings using nothing more than a reflector. Understand what you have to work with and then you will start to understand where you need to fill in the gaps with flash. Then once you are ready to start learning about lighting, go through the Lighting 101 section on Strobist.com and do some of the assignments in their assignments section. That will help you become more familiar with what is possible with flash.

If you get stuck, come back here and ask questions in the Lighting techniques section. There are a lot of very talented people here that can offer help if needed.

[mad editor]

Also,beware of old flashes. They were made for film cameras and some can fry your DSLR.

[lonni]

Dont forget gaffer tape, bulldog clip, pen, paper,bobby pins and band aids.

They are all handy and i have seen many a wedding photographer who use them all the time and i know i use most of them on portrait shots, especially the bandaids, i tend to be clumsy, lol.

I have also heard that chalk, water, museli bar or 2, rubber bands and small scissors are handy but never had teh chance to use any of them. Although the waterand museli bar could be handy for wedding in hot weather for you and the bridal party,

HTH

[Biomech]

I mostly work with natural light so the lighting thing is "whooop" right over my head, but it is something I'd like to learn.

Definately look into that a bit more then. Weddings interiors are often very dark and you'll need to know how to work with that. Plus a flash at the right time can tremendously transform your photos.

For a wedding, it's also worth taking a backup/second camera and try and get hold of a fast wide angle lens.

[funcrunch]

Originally Posted by Biomech

For a wedding, it's also worth taking a backup/second camera

Not just worth taking but mandatory, I would say. I would never arrive at a paid wedding gig without a backup camera body, even if I had to rent one.

[inkista]

Two articles to read:

the fredmiranda board's wedding photography forum's sticky post.

lensrentals.com's FWIGTEW and other first wedding acronyms.

[GreggObst]

Originally Posted by inkista

lensrentals.com's FWIGTEW and other first wedding acronyms.

Thanks for the laugh. That article is so very true.