Sergio
Wedding | Last Updated: April 9, 2024
I shoot with the love of my life Kelly Rashka and we both have similar gear. Our goal is to be known as the boldest emotion driven wedding photographers in Arizona! We drive to weddings with our gear packed in a Think Tank rolling case, but once we get there we try to have all the gear we need on our bodies.
The core of my gear is my two super dependable and reliable Nikon D700 cameras, they are also very light. The camera straps are Think Tank and they are the best straps I have ever used so far. I always carry both cameras on my shoulders, always! Kelly calls my lens system the “Feel Pretty” system because most of the day I use the Nikon 35mm f/2 to shoot what the day Feels like and the Nikon 85mm f/1.4 is used mainly to take Pretty pictures.
The reasons why I use the Nikon 35mm f/2 instead of the Nikon 35mm f/1.4 or Nikon 35mm f/1.8 are:
a) It is cheaper.
b) It is lighter and smaller. It is easier to carry and it is less intimidating. It stands out very little distance from my face and it makes it easier for me to get closer to people.
c) It makes a noise when when it focuses that I can feel on my hand when I shoot with the camera away from my face. I can “feel” when it focuses.
I carry a Think Tank Lens Pouch 75 on my waist where I put my Nikon SB-700 flash with a Yongnuo RF-603NII-N3 transceiver attached and coupled with a regular flash foot. The Youngnuos are the most reliable flash transceiver I have ever used, they are small, cheap and they never fail.
I always shoot the flash in manual mode so I don’t have the need to adjust settings from the camera position. The flash is used throughout the day as needed. The flash always has a MagMod holder (amazing stuff) attached that makes it very easy to add and remove a grid or a filter holder. I have also started using the new MagMod Sphere and I am really impressed with the way it enlarges the light source and dramatically increases the quality of the light without adding much to our load.
When the time for reception comes the flash goes on top of a Slik Monopod with a Lastolite Triflash holder. Kelly grabs the “lightstick” and we attack the reception coverage as a team.
The Think Tank Lens Pouch 75 is also great for carrying extra batteries, MagMod grid, MagMod filter holder, Magmod Sphere and a couple bottles of 5 Hour Energy. I could shoot a wedding without food but I could not do it without one or two 5 Hour Energy drinks.
The last thing in my kit is the CF card holder, I have been using the same holder for about 10 years. It was made by Lowepro and it stays on my belt; always.
There is more gear that we keep in the trunk for special situations and spares. Along with our extra pants and shirts in case of emergency. :)
www.sergiophotographer.com
Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.
Includes limited-time discounts.
