What Non-Photography Equipment Do You Bring?

Scootersbabygirl

I'm new to wedding photography, and I love hearing what established photographers bring with them to the wedding. One thing that I'm really curious about is what other, non-photography equipment do you bring? I've heard a few people say to always bring water (which I have definitely taken into consideration and think it's a great tip!), but what else do you bring? Do you bring ibuprofen (or Tylenol), for instance, or do you bring packages of wet ones? What else do you bring with you when you shoot weddings?

Moogle Pepper

I bring Clif bars that I can eat and a bottle of water.

Blurmore

Leatherman...don't leave home without it.

Noelimages

A small ladder, granola bars, water, extra shirt and breath mints.

zoomer

Granola bars and diet Pepsi.
Suntan lotion, mosquito repellant, ibuprofen.

heatherfeather

Gatoraide, sandwiches for me and my assistant, wet wipes, makeup wipes, scissors, extra clothes and shoes, gum, hair brush / spray /pins, safety pins, leatherman, bandaids, coins for parking meeters and a ton more stuff that I can't think of right now.

Jeremy Winterberg

I'm new to weddings too, but I have my first one coming up on May 8th. These are some of the things I will be bringing with me.. most of it will probably stay in my SUV the whole time, but whatever.

Gaffer Tape, granola bars/snacks, lots of mountain dew, GPS (Must Have), extra shirt/pants/shoes, extension cords, batteries (AA's, AAA's, and Camera Batteries), advil, tylonol, asprin, vicodin (jk - but I get headaches easily), black and white bedsheets (for controlling light and reflections), small step ladder (not sure if I need this since I tower over everyone anyways... I'm 6'4"), small notebook to write down stuff (I'm forgetful), and I'll probably have other stuff that I'll grab at the last minute that I cant think of.

WillCAD

Leaving weddings aside for a moment, there are certain things I always have in my pockets or on my belt, no matter where I go:

* Cash

* A pillbox with any daily meds I may be taking, plus a few common OTC meds - ibuprofin, Prilosec, Roll-Aids, Immodium, Bennadryl, Zyrtec-D, chewable Pepto (I've been caught by stomach upset, allergies, headaches, etc. and prefer to be prepared for them)

* Pocket knife

* Multitool (I carry a Bucktool 360, which is like a Leatherman)

* Multiple flashlights - a 2xAA LED light and one or two keychain-size LED squeeze lights.

* Chapstick

* A couple of disposable towlettes for my hands (in case lunch gets sticky)

* Nail clippers (never know when a painful hangnail might strike)

* A few safety pins

* USB flash drive with diagnostic and repair software (people are always asking me to fix their computers)

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For photo situations (pro or personal), I carry a few small extras in my camera bag:

* A camera poncho

* Notebook and pencil

* A few extra Ziploc storage bags

* A few spare squeeze lights

* A few carabiners

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There are also some extra things in my vehicle that I might need; they're too bulky to carry around, but having them in my vehicle is usually not too inconvenient:

* Spray glass cleaner

* Paper towels

* Clear packing tape

* A full tool kit

* Spare sunglasses

* A first aid kit

* A hand towel

* A couple of plastic trash bags

* Charger cable/adapter for my iPhone

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Chance favors the prepared mind.

mmmatt

Blurmore wrote:

Leatherman...don't leave home without it.

Ding Ding Ding!!! That, a couple of water bottles and a granola bar. I'm a smoker so I also keep some gum on me for my breath on the rare opportunity to sneak out for a smoke. Leatherman is key though... no better tool ever for an event photog.

Matt

Jeremy Winterberg

Which Leatherman do you guys have? I've been thinking about getting one... havent had a multi-tool in a long time. Also, why do you need a multi-tool on a wedding day?

mmmatt

Jeremy Winterberg wrote:

Which Leatherman do you guys have? I've been thinking about getting one... havent had a multi-tool in a long time. Also, why do you need a multi-tool on a wedding day?

I have a few different ones, but the one I carry at weddings is the kick. it has screw drivers, pliers, scissors, a knife and the basic Swiss army knife camping stuff. I have used the plyers and screw drivers to tighten flash brackets when I was using them. Screw drivers can do whatever and mine even has a glasses mini-driver that I have used many times to tighten the specs. I once used the pliers to hod together a busted light stand by clamping them on and a ponytail holder around the handle to hold it together. Cut loose threads, pick a stubborn battery or fuse from a monolight out... It's a tool and one of the few that you can reasonably wear on your person. If you have it on you you will find reasons to use it and eventually see it as an irreplaceable item.

matt

run_kmc

Jeremy Winterberg wrote:

Which Leatherman do you guys have? I've been thinking about getting one... havent had a multi-tool in a long time. Also, why do you need a multi-tool on a wedding day?

Because the most bizarre things possible can and will happen.

Scott_Quier

What to bring (in something approaching a prioritized order):

1. The best advice I ever received - a good GPS unit. Not so important in rural/low-population areas, but in larger metro areas, this can save your a$$
2. Cash, coins
3. Leatherman (or similar) multi-tool. Knife, pliers, screwdrivers need to be there in the kit, not in the truck.
4. Water
5. 3.5" lock-back knife in a black nylon sheath on my belt. Most people don't see it and it's often been a quick life saver.
6. asprin, ibuprophen, tums - in your kit
7. J&J corn starch. Lots of uses for this. The most unique - it can be used to mask/cover make-up that's been smeared on a nice white wedding gown. Also in the kit, not the truck.

Noelimages

Extra pair of contact lenses.

JohnBiggs

This thing because it folds flat and is easy/reliable. Also some gum or mints, and a small roll of gaffers. I'm gonna have to get a leatherman because I have already needed one on many occasions.

mmmatt

Just thought of a few more oddball items that are in my case. Wig tape, safety pins, rubberbands. Wig tape is magical when you have girls in strapless dresses. the wig tape is meant to stick to skin and cloth and is the best type of double sided tape for holding dresses up. Saftey pins are obvious repairs for dresses, and rubber-bands or ponytail holders have a zillion uses as well.

That step is interesting but since it wouldn't fit in my kit anyways I would be more inclined to just bring a regular step stool. This is on my "must have" list for future Jewish events!

Matt

quark

umbrellas! Am I the only northwest shooter here?
Also the other stuff like safety pins and cliff bars.

JohnBiggs

mmmatt wrote:

That step is interesting but since it wouldn't fit in my kit anyways I would be more inclined to just bring a regular step stool. This is on my "must have" list for future Jewish events!

Matt

Sorry, I am always reducing space and the collapsing stool is much easier. No it doesn't fit in the bag, but its much easier to get it around.

divamum

Not a wedding 'tog, but have been doing location portrait shoots -does that count?

In addition to many items already mentioned, I also carry

- plastic clothespins
- some work clamps (mine are cheap plastic ones in multiple sizes - they wouldn't work for construction, but they're sufficient for my uses)
- roll of black duck tape
- basic makeup kit (for touchups when there's no MUA)

Blurmore

divamum wrote:

Not a wedding 'tog, but have been doing location portrait shoots -does that count?

In addition to many items already mentioned, I also carry

- plastic clothespins
- some work clamps (mine are cheap plastic ones in multiple sizes - they wouldn't work for construction, but they're sufficient for my uses)
- roll of black duck tape
- basic makeup kit (for touchups when there's no MUA)

To expand on the tape thing....

I carry tape too, black electrical and gaffer's. Gaffer's tape is EXPENSIVE but sticks REALLY well and doesn't leave residue. Use it to stick down power cords so they are not a tripping hazard.

Jeremy Winterberg

Yeah, I'm actually trying to find some gaffer's tape right now. Probably going to go with 3M. But, its $25 for the 2" 60 yrd roll. So expensive.

Definitely gaffers tape over duct tape. Its just as strong/sticky as duct tape (if not stronger/stickier), and it doesn't leave the nasty residue that can take hours to get off of stuff.

Blurmore

Jeremy Winterberg wrote:

Yeah, I'm actually trying to find some gaffer's tape right now. Probably going to go with 3M. But, its $25 for the 2" 60 yrd roll. So expensive.

Definitely gaffers tape over duct tape. Its just as strong/sticky as duct tape (if not stronger/stickier), and it doesn't leave the nasty residue that can take hours to get off of stuff.

Actually gorilla tape is an OK substitute for less money, it WILL leave a residue if you leave it stuck for like days, but for a couple of hours it comes off pretty clean.

Art Scott

Scootersbabygirl wrote:

I'm new to wedding photography, and I love hearing what established photographers bring with them to the wedding. One thing that I'm really curious about is what other, non-photography equipment do you bring? I've heard a few people say to always bring water (which I have definitely taken into consideration and think it's a great tip!), but what else do you bring? Do you bring ibuprofen (or Tylenol), for instance, or do you bring packages of wet ones? What else do you bring with you when you shoot weddings?

A small sewing kit with black and white thread a small amount of clear super fishing line in case I need to sew something that white or black won't work on..........
Kleenex box full, bottled water and in my case Glucose tablets (I am diabetic), protein bar or something to keep tummy from growling.....antacids just in case someone gets heartburn, ibuprofen .........people get head aches and stuff all the time........also a small 1st aid kit.......but do not offer assistance unless you know what you are doing.....just opens you up to a law suit ( iahve been trained & retrained in industrial 1st aid for many years).....you can give a 1st aid kit to someone to help themselves tho.........

mangopixels

Scootersbabygirl wrote:

I'm new to wedding photography, and I love hearing what established photographers bring with them to the wedding. One thing that I'm really curious about is what other, non-photography equipment do you bring? I've heard a few people say to always bring water (which I have definitely taken into consideration and think it's a great tip!), but what else do you bring? Do you bring ibuprofen (or Tylenol), for instance, or do you bring packages of wet ones? What else do you bring with you when you shoot weddings?

This is a fun thread! I think that mints are the most important thing to me. I like talking to the couple and their guests with confidence, knowing that my breath is minty fresh! :-)

Scootersbabygirl

mangopixels wrote:

This is a fun thread! I think that mints are the most important thing to me. I like talking to the couple and their guests with confidence, knowing that my breath is minty fresh! :-)

Oooh - minty fresh breath - good point!!

I'm loving this thread too! I love hearing what everyone brings - it's given me some great ideas!

mmmatt

I feel like I just keep going around this forum lately and agreeing with everything Jason says but a big YES on the gaffer's tape over duct tape. I ususally only bring it when I plan on using A/C strobes, but it is far superior to duct tape. Jeremy, my best suggestion for the gafferes tape is from Markertek.com I use the tecnec http://www.markertek.com/Expendables/Gaffers-Tape-Adhesive/Gaffers-Tape/TecNec-Cables-Connectors/BGT-60.xhtml?BGT-60 and it is great stuff. I started using it when I was doing a lot of audio work and it is what I typically see being used by the sound and stage folks I come across.

Matt

JohnBiggs

Can I add more. I forgot how much I like these things: http://www.amazon.com/Bongo-Ties-ELASTIC-CABLES-UNRULY/dp/B0001W1HLI

I use them to hold recievers to lightstands, flashes to a chair, or whatever else you need to hold. Velcro straps are also great but they can slip.

Kinkajou

has anyone mentioned band-aids and kleenex/tissue yet? nothing like blisters on your heels forcing you to hobble and snot running down your face to make a good impression oh yeah, and a couple pens.

Art Scott

Jeremy Winterberg wrote:

Yeah, I'm actually trying to find some gaffer's tape right now. Probably going to go with 3M. But, its $25 for the 2" 60 yrd roll. So expensive.

Definitely gaffers tape over duct tape. Its just as strong/sticky as duct tape (if not stronger/stickier), and it doesn't leave the nasty residue that can take hours to get off of stuff.

A theatrical supply will be your best.....look for PRO GAFF .....that is what the Fine Arts Dept I worked for used and it is around $18/roll.......A roll should alast a photog well over a year.....unless you get crazy with it.

Jeremy Winterberg

mmmatt wrote:

I feel like I just keep going around this forum lately and agreeing with everything Jason says but a big YES on the gaffer's tape over duct tape. I ususally only bring it when I plan on using A/C strobes, but it is far superior to duct tape. Jeremy, my best suggestion for the gafferes tape is from Markertek.com I use the tecnec http://www.markertek.com/Expendables/Gaffers-Tape-Adhesive/Gaffers-Tape/TecNec-Cables-Connectors/BGT-60.xhtml?BGT-60 and it is great stuff. I started using it when I was doing a lot of audio work and it is what I typically see being used by the sound and stage folks I come across.

Matt

Dangit, I wish you would've said this last night. :cry I placed my order through amazon for some 3M Gaffers tape, which is $25 a roll like I said. Definitely going to bookmark the website you gave me for next time.

Art, good to hear that a roll should last me a year. Makes the purchase worth it in my opinion.

I want to add something to the list of gear. Its photography related though. Its a Go|Bee Bag Men's Card Holster. http://gobeebags.com I just bought it last night, and am looking forward to receiving it. Basically its a CF Card case that attaches to your belt. Yeah, it costs $90 but it looks sweet, and instead of velcro closing (like most cf cases) its magnetic. So it will be super quiet for when you need to switch cards during the wedding. Sara France is one of the founding photographers that created it.

jasonscottphoto

+1 on the leatherman and mints. Drinks in a small cooler kept in the car, umbrella (I want to get a nice big black one but haven't yet), my husband's ashthma inhaler, throat lozenges so I don't clear my throat during the ceremony.

Want to put together a kit for helping out the bride - safety pins, straight pins, band aids, bobby pins, etc... but haven't yet.

We also have on our "to do list" - to purchase a nice, puffy silk or satin white hanger for taking photos of the dress - the plastic hangers from the dress shop are so crummy looking and sometimes break when you try to move the dress around!!!