As wedding filmmakers, we are always on the move with our gear. We used to be the kind of people that had case upon case filled with all the things you could imagine, and that literally started stressing us out. On the wedding day, Garrette would start to suffer from “option paralysis” where he was looking at three full Pelican cases of stuff and he couldn’t focus on what he wanted to do. We were thinking about all of the variables and all of the possibilities and, paradoxically, all of the moments we could miss, instead of making a decision on what we would do and which cameras and lenses and supports we would use – and then doing it. Something had to change.

Because we shoot exclusively with Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras and lenses, we have a ton of flexibility during the events. The cameras’ performance and the number of native lenses that we have available (we habitually use six full-frame Sony E mount lenses on the wedding day) enabled us to pare down our overall kit while maintaining creative freedom. Ultimately, we went from three big rolling cases down to one rolling ThinkTank case. Everything in the bag gets used on a wedding day and we know exactly when and how we will use all of it.

In the video below we walk through all of the cameras, lenses and other gear while explaining why we bring it and how we use it on the wedding day.

Cameras

Sony α7 III: Ever since this camera came out, we’ve been enamored with its capabilities. The video profiles and the AF system have really changed the way we shoot. 


Sony α7R III: This is the camera Amber uses 90% of the time. From the bride prep to the ceremony, it’s in her hands and usually with a 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master lens. Amber uses it with a battery grip.

Sony α7S II: We’ve had these cameras forever and we still have two of them. We use them in the church and for timelapses during the day (with the PlayMemories Timelapse app). We also always use the α7S II for a “slider reveal” of the bride walking down the aisle.


Sony RX0: Garrette calls the RX0 his “video grenade.” He places it in locations to get a really creative shot from an impossible perspective.

Sony AX-100: We usually have this Sony video camera locked down in the back of the church to capture a wide shot of the ceremony. 


Lenses


Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master OSS (we use two of these): This is a lens that we were incredibly excited to get when it came out and it’s the lens Amber uses more than any other during bride prep and pretty much throughout the day. During bride prep, we typically aren’t trying to include the whole room in the frame, so the 70mm doesn’t feel too tight and we can easily shoot details and “shoot around” obstacles like a still photographer who might be in close with a 24mm or 35mm.

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master: This is a lens we’ve been using for a long time. We frequently have it on one of the α7S II bodies in the front of the church locked down at the wide end of the zoom range. It’s great for capturing the groom’s reaction and during the vows.

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 G Master: Amber uses the 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master for most of the wedding day, until she switches to this lens at the receptions. It’s fast and it’s great getting a little extra distance from people as they are dancing.

Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G: This lens has been great for weddings when we’re in a big, beautiful building with amazing architecture. We use it for entrances and on a slider and gimbal.

Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G: This lens has one job and it does it very, very well. It’s the lens we use for the ring shot. We’ve had this lens since we started shooting Sony.

Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA: This has become Garrette’s bread and butter lens for what he does. Using it in Super 35 and using the camera’s Clear Image Zoom with the lens makes it extremely versatile and we love the amazingly-creamy bokeh.

Accessories

ThinkTank Airport Security
Tascam dr-10L
Tascam dr-10x
DJI Mavic Air
Pilotfly Adventurer Gimbal
Sirui Monopods and Tripods
Rhino Slider w/ motion control
TorchLed Bolt 250
Luxli Light Cello
Cheetah Stands
Hoodman EVF Eyecup