Megan Wilson

Wedding | Last Updated: February 12, 2021

Hello friends! My name is Megan Wilson. I’m so honored to have been asked to be featured on ShotKit.

I’ve been shooting weddings for five years now and branched out in the last couple of years to shoot more personal branding and female portraiture. I’m based in Leicester, England, but I’m originally from South Africa and yes, I still have a funny accent.

Before becoming a photographer, I received a masters degree in applied criminology and worked in research for two years, but I’ve always loved taking photos.

I’m a self-taught photographer, and I’m a firm believer that gear does not ‘maketh the photographer’. Good gear definitely helps, but, ultimately, gear is just the tool – nothing more, nothing less.

Cameras and Lenses

I started out using the Nikon D90 – thanks Dad! After assisting and second shooting for other photographers for a while, I decided to take on my own weddings and upgraded my gear.

I bought two Nikon D750’s (one of which is pictured in my kit image) which I’m still using. I love their low light capabilities, and I find they’re great, fairly lightweight, workhorses for weddings.

I stuck with the Nikon family because that’s what I learnt on and I’m still really happy. I think their system feels so natural to me now that I’ll struggle switching to something else, but who knows what ‘future me’ decides to do.

After trying out a few zoom lenses when I first started out, I decided that I preferred the way prime lenses look and the style of shooting that they require.

I have a Nikon 24mm f/1.4, Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4, a Nikon 50mm f/1.8, as well as a Sigma 85mm f/1.4.

My style of wedding photography is primarily reportage, and the only time I tend to be more hands on is for group photos and couples portraits.

I definitely prefer capturing unposed and relaxed moments, and I tend to use my 24mm and 85mm for most of a wedding day.

I use my HoldFast MoneyMaker to carry both my cameras, simultaneously, with a different lens on each camera.

I find that gives me the flexibility to be able to capture a variety of moments, both near and far, and it allows for a quick change between the different focal lengths. (Plus, the Holdfast straps make me feel a bit like a cowgirl. Yeeehhawww!)

I love the compression on the 85mm f/1.4, and it’s a great lens when I’m creeping around trying to be inconspicuous and documenting natural moments.

The 24mm is awesome for capturing context and really making people feel like you’re part of a moment when looking back at the image.

Lights

I generally use natural light all day and only really get my flash out for the first dance, dance floor, night portraits, and sparklers.

I have two speedlights, one is a Yongnuo YN565EX, and the other is a Nikon SB-800. I also use Yongnuo YN622N-TX triggers for off-camera flash work. I plan on upgrading these to Godox triggers next year, since they’re a little more reliable.

I also have a video light that I often use for the cake cutting and night portraits. It’s pretty old now, and I’m not sure it’s sold anymore, but it’s a Pergear 298 LED 3200-5600K Video Light Wand.

Hardware & Software

I usually take my laptop with me to weddings (unless the wedding is in the middle of a field!), so I can upload and backup images halfway through the day. I have a MacBook Pro 13’’ and a 4TB LaCie external hard drive.

I primarily use Lightroom to edit and occasionally Photoshop when needed.

I had my presets created bespoke for me by the fabulous Amy-Leigh from Northern Presets and I love them! They make editing a breeze and help me keep my editing consistent across a variety of lighting situations.

Misc.

I carry extra batteries in the “No Probllamma” purse, that makes me grin when I see it, because who doesn’t like llamas!? I also have two SD Card holders – one for clean cards and one for used ones.

I am terrified of wiping a card by mistake and losing images (I’ve never done it, but I’ve heard stories – eek!) so, this way I can make sure that doesn’t happen.

I also have a little business card holder, which keeps my cards intact, since I used to get so embarrassed giving someone a smushed up business card that had been at the bottom of my bag for months.

Last, but not least, I always have a pack of gum in my bag. Fresh breath is a must, plus more often than not, the bride and/or groom want something minty before they say their “I dos,” so it’s handy to have.

Bag

I spent ages looking for a bag that would accommodate all my gear but also one that I liked the look of. The Barber Shop Doctor Bag, “Quiff,” definitely hits the mark for me.

I love that I can open it up and see everything in it, at a glance. I hate having to dig for things, especially when I know I could be missing an important moment.

It has a ton of pockets and compartments which helps me keep everything organised and my husband calls it my “Mary Poppins’ bag” which makes me chuckle. It also gets bonus points because my dog, Kenzo, looks extra cute in it.

So, that’s my gear in a nutshell! It’s not necessarily the fanciest gear, but what I have works for me and the way that I shoot!

www.meganwilson.net| @msmeganwilson