What’s In My Camera Bag: The 2026 Edition
It’s hard to believe it’s been a couple of years since I made the big leap from Fujifilm to Sony back in 2024. That decision was driven by a need for better low-light autofocus, and looking back, it was absolutely the right move.
Fast forward to 2026, and my kit feels more dialed-in than ever. I’ve refined my setup to ensure I’m ready for anything a wedding day throws at me—from dark, candlelit ceremonies to wild dance floors. I’ve also invested in some serious lighting and video upgrades this year to make those first dances look even more cinematic and ensuring every word is heard crystal clear.
Here is a peek inside my bag for the upcoming wedding season.
The Cameras
The Main Workhorse: Sony a7IV This camera is still the heart of my operation. The dual SD card slots give me that essential backup security, and the ergonomics are just perfect for all-day shooting. It handles high resolution and low light beautifully, making it perfect for everything from the “I do’s” to the speeches. The custom controls let me adjust settings on the fly without missing a beat.
The Silent Assassin: Sony a9II I originally bought this as a secondary body, but it has become a total game-changer. The standout feature here is the ability to shoot reliably in silent mode. This allows me to stand close to the couple or the officiant during quiet, intimate moments without that distracting click-click-click of a mechanical shutter. It keeps the moment pure, which is exactly what we want.
The Backup / Video Specialist: Sony a7III I’ve officially retired my crop-sensor a6600 to ensure I have a consistent “full-frame look” across all my footage and photos. The a7III is my trusty “C-Camera.” It’s there as a catastrophic backup (always have a backup for your backup!), but primarily, it handles video duties.
The Lenses
The MVP: Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 If I could only bring one lens, this would be it. I first picked this up after seeing Canadian photographer Taylor Jackson rave about it, and he was right. It covers everything from wide group shots to tight portraits without needing to swap lenses. It shines when I’m moving between a large reception hall and tight bridal prep rooms—it keeps my creative flow uninterrupted.
The Romantic: Sony 50mm f/1.4 Zeiss Every wedding photographer needs a “nifty fifty.” This lens is incredibly sharp and performs like a dream in dim indoor settings. I love it for intimate couple portraits or isolating details like the rings or florals against a soft, blurry background.
The Low-Light Wide: Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM This is a new favorite in the bag. The Sony 24mm GM is absolutely fantastic for low-light capability. I normally pull this out for creative venue shots to show off the architecture, or for the dance floor when I want to capture the energy without using too much flash. Because it lets in so much light (f/1.4), I can keep the ambience of the room looking natural even when it’s pitch black outside.
The Reliable All-Rounder: Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 This lens normally lives on my Sony a7III. It is a fantastic “day-to-day” lens that does a bit of everything. Whether I need a wide shot of the room or a closer portrait, it handles whatever situation we are in with ease. It’s lightweight, sharp, and the perfect partner for my backup/video body.
The Party Starter: Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 My other go-to for the dance floor. It’s wide enough to capture the energy of the crowd and the venue without sacrificing quality. I often pair this with a flash to create those fun, motion-blur party shots.
The Long Game: Sony 135mm GM f/1.8 This lens comes out when I have space to stand back—the compression and bokeh (background blur) it creates are nothing short of magical. It is fantastic for candid guest shots where I don’t want to intrude on the moment, and the autofocus is lightning fast.
Lighting: The 2026 Upgrade
This year, I’ve put a big focus on controlling light, rather than just finding it.
New for 2026: Godox AD200 Off-Camera Flash I’ve stepped up my power game with the AD200. This sits off-camera on a stand and provides beautiful, directional light that lifts a scene way better than a simple on-camera flash ever could. It’s powerful, portable, and gives photos that high-end editorial look.
New for 2026: Godox Continuous Video Light This has been a secret weapon for First Dances. You know those erratic purple and green DJ lasers that can ruin skin tones? I now use this continuous light to wash the couple in clean, white light. It overpowers the messy DJ lights just enough to make the couple pop, while keeping the background party atmosphere intact.
The Staples: Godox 685ii Speedlights I still keep two of these handy for running and gunning on the dance floor. I pair them with a magnetic sphere diffuser to soften the light, ensuring skin looks smooth and natural rather than “flashed.”
Video, Audio & Accessories
Video – The POV Angle: We have added a DJI Action 4 to the kit this year. This sits directly on top of my Sony camera hot shoe, giving us a fantastic point-of-view shot of the ceremony. It perfectly complements our video service, ensuring we capture the action exactly as I see it.
Video – The Second Angles: Alongside the Action 4, I still use two DJI Pocket 2 cameras on Manfrotto Action Tripods. They are tiny but mighty—I can set them up at the back of the aisle or near the speeches to get a wide angle without being obtrusive.
Audio: Sharp photos need clear audio. While I use a Zoom H2N microphone for ambient sound, I have recently invested in the DJI Mic Mini lavalier system. These are perfect for times when we need absolutely clear voice audio—I can clip one onto the groom or near the officiant to ensure every word of the vows is crisp.
Workflow: During the wedding breakfast, I take a breather to back up everything to an external drive using my iPad Pro. SD cards rarely fail, but I sleep better knowing the files are safe before I even leave the venue.
Carrying It All: I wear a Coiro tan leather dual harness—it looks stylish, but more importantly, it saves my back and keeps two cameras at my fingertips. My gear lives in a Tarion messenger bag (for active lenses) and a larger Tarion backpack for the rest.
And of course, there are endless batteries, memory cards, and power banks tucked into every pocket!
I feel incredibly confident with this setup for 2026. Every piece of gear has been chosen to help me focus less on the tech and more on capturing the moments that matter most to you.
Thanks for reading!
Updated: 7th January 2026
