When Sony Artisan Kesha Lambert shows up to photograph a wedding, she is ready to go. “As a wedding photographer, it’s important to arrive prepared,” she says. “I will arrive with harness already on and two cameras mounted to my body so that I show up ready to go.” We caught up with the New York City-based wedding and portrait photographer to learn more about the gear she uses for shooting a couple’s special day – watch the video and read below as she shares what’s in her bag for wedding photography.

Product Preview – In This Article You’ll Find:
–Sony Alpha 1
–Sony Alpha 7R V
–Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master
–Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master
–Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master
–Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G
–Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II
–Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II

Cameras

Sony Alpha 1 & Sony Alpha 7R V: I am currently working with the Alpha 7R V and the Alpha 1. I like to use the Alpha 1 because it is the do-all-things camera and when the Alpha 7R V was introduced it became my go-to. Some of the things that are very important when it comes to weddings is resolution, because I like to do creative crop, and I also need the performance that comes with camera bodies like the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7R V.

Lenses

I will usually arrive on the wedding day with a prime lens on one camera and a wide lens.

Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master: These days I’m shooting mostly with the 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master. This lens is just great when I want to incorporate the environment. It allows me to create really dramatic, wide-sweeping, beautiful photographs that are typically unexpected for our wedding clients.

Photo by Kesha Lambert. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/100-sec., f/3.5, ISO 640

Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master: I like to have a medium telephoto lens mounted, and the 85mm f/1.4 G Master is my go-to to start my wedding day with.

Photo by Kesha Lambert. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/160-sec., f/2.8, ISO 160

Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master: And if I’m not working with the 85mm G Master, I have the 50mm f/1.2 G Master. It’s just a great all-around lens that allows me to capture portraits of individuals and groups. It gives me the right amount of distance and space to move around. And when people ask me, “What lens would you choose if you had to photograph a wedding from start to finish with just one lens?” It would be the 50mm f/1.2 G Master.

Photo by Kesha Lambert. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master. 1/2000-sec., f/2, ISO 100

Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G: Now, this is a lens that I absolutely love – the 90mm f/2.8 Macro G lens. For weddings, I use it for detail shots – jewelry, decor elements, makeup application – to capture those tiny little details that help tell the story. I love this lens because of how sharp the image quality is. It’s a beautiful way to tell the story and pull in close to those tiny little details.

Photo by Kesha Lambert. Sony α9 II. Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G. 1/400-sec., f/2.8, ISO 200

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II: I love this lens because it’s a super lightweight version of its predecessor. And I like to keep things light because I need to be able to move around and so this saves my back. It allows me to capture things from a distance. People are unaware of the lens, even if they see it pointed in their direction, they’re unaware that their photo is being taken so that’s one of the beautiful parts of this focal range. It’s also great for the ceremony. You don’t know what restrictions you’re going to encounter when it comes to weddings. They have rules about where you can be as a photographer, and this allows me to be prepared for any scenario.

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II: It’s just a great walkaround lens. With those focal points, 24-70, you have a wide angle to a medium telephoto range. This is just a great leave-on lens for those moments where you want to be prepared for a wide range of things.

Photo by Kesha Lambert. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/1000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 1000

Accessories

I always carry a little kit of random things. Preparedness is the name of the game when it comes to photographing weddings.

Harness: As a wedding photographer, it’s important to arrive prepared. I will arrive with harness already on and two cameras mounted to my body so that I show up ready to go. 

Fan: During summertime I will have things like a fan because maybe I’ll get hot, but also bride or bridesmaids or people in the wedding who we’re taking pictures of. Sweat is not something we desire to have in photos so a fan comes in handy for that.

Snacks: Because sometimes we go hours without eating.

Other Items: Emergency Kit, Sunblock, Pair of Scissors

See more of Kesha Lambert’s work on her Alpha Universe Profile and on Instagram @keshalambert.