Nikolay Kireyev

Wedding | Last Updated: December 29, 2020

Hi! I’m Nikolay Kireyev, a wedding photographer, I shoot portrait and reportage from Almaty, Kazakhstan. I love my job and have since 2011.

I have loved photography since high school but I thought a camera is a complicated thing and I will never be able to photograph. In 2011 I bought my first Canon D60 and it was magic in my hands.

I like communicating with people, they are wonderful on the wedding day, so I love being around them. I had a lot of equipment and lenses but now I limit myself to a minimum in order to focus on the photography.

I shoot with Canon, I really like the 5D series. I love fast reportage shooting, moments, tears and laughter. This is my priority.

At the beginning of my career in photography, I thought the more accessories the better! It bothered me what to use, which lens to choose, which softbox to use. I used manual lenses from old cameras and Lensbaby. Now I have removed all the unnecessary gear and focus on shooting.

Cameras

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Canon EOS 5D Mark III – Very cool camera, the 5D series is reliable. Never failed, was with me in the rain, snow, sand, under the hot sun. In the hand it has a very strong body. The cards I use are a SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB as the main and CompactFlash SanDisk Extreme 16GB as backup.

Sony FDRX3000R – Action camera for recording vlogs and history, a cool little thing.

Lenses

Canon EF 24-70mm II f/2.8 L USM – Is now my main lens and can shoot anything. This is the best reportage friend in the set with a fast, good picture. I love being close.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM – This is a good and inexpensive lens. When you want a portrait, blur the background and bokeh.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM – I rarely use it, other than for shots of the rings.

Canon EF 16-35mm II f/2.8 L USM – My third lens, I have no luck with it, I always break it.

Lights/Triggers

Canon 600EX-RT – I use it as a camera flash. I often use this technique at a banquet or in portraits. In the portraits, it turns out beautifully – hyperreality, emphasizes luxury and glamor. At the banquet – shows drive, movement and dancing.

Godox TT 685-C – (2 pieces) There are big weddings in Kazakhstan for 100 – 200 people. Two flashes are enough, I don’t want to make a completely light room. I like one backlit flash and one in the face. I often use it in solo, to add atmosphere. The flashes are mounted on three meter stands. Godox is a good and inexpensive flash that doesn’t bother me if it falls and breaks.

Godox XPro-C – Trigger, comfortable, there is a focus area and at night the screen is backlit. Cool!

Blaze – Photo lights (2 pieces), very good lighting solutions, convenient and quick to use for important moments and a must have for details. Color filters for realizing colors.

Bags/Straps

National Geographic NG W5070 – Bag for small shooting or for trips to the mountains and in the field.

ThinkTank Airport Advantage Rolling Camera Bag – I use it for weddings and travel. A roomy, reliable handy bag that will fit everything!

Leather straps – Handcrafted to order with my logo with protective straps. Convenient thing.

Tripods

Manfrotto Mini Tripod – A small tripod for big things! I use it for an action camera.

Hardware & Software

Apple iPad Pro and the PhotoPicker – Are the best solutions for selecting photos, with this I began to select photos much faster.

Lightroom CC and Photoshop are timeless classics, where can we go without them?

Misc.

Bullet journal and pen – for jotting down important ideas, goals, daily routine, writing and drawing, a very good thing.
Lens cloth.
RayBan – sunglasses.
Eneloop – there are a lot of batteries for flashes.
Glasses, fabric with sequins – for various effects.
A book is useful to read.
Water and energy bar.
Wallet and house keys.

Weddings have become my job, which I love. I’m always happy on set, it is inspiring when you see a lot of happy people. Love what you do. Let your favorite work become the work of your whole life. Smiles and happiness to you!

www.nikolay-kireyev.com | @nikolay_kireyev