What's in my Camera Bag for Weddings + How I Pack for Wedding Days!

[@ChelseaNicole]

QOTD: What's your must-have, FAVORITE lens for weddings or portrait shoots? Share below 👇

[@whoismikeq]

I need to have my Nikon 105mm f/1.4 for weddings and portrait work :D

[@ChelseaNicole]

@@whoismikeq Oooo that's a sweeet portrait lens! The bokeh! 😍

[@xeler8r]

Oh that’s a sweeeeeeet lens!!

[@miaeskin]

50mm 1.4, but saving up for the 85mm! 😍

[@whoismikeq]

@@ChelseaNicole love it for sure!

[@PrestigePhotog]

Well done ! I love your doggy !

[@cristinavincent1103]

Great video! Do you have a video about what you carry on you while shooting and how you organize it all?

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Cristina! When shooting I keep 1-2 lenses in my Ona messenger bag which changes depending on the part of the day, then the rest stays in the roller bag (and off my shoulders). In my previous camera bag video I talk about this a bit more and also share what lenses I use for different parts of the wedding day: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqOthIB_itGXqNE&t= It was shot a few years back, but I still shoot and organize things in a very similar way. I think you'll find it helpful. :)

[@jimwlouavl]

I love the 85mm f/1.4 D for portraits. I want to try the 105mm DC lens but they’re hard to come by used.

[@ChelseaNicole]

85 f/1.4 FTW!! 🙌 I don't have experience with the 105mm DC, but I've tested the Nikon 105mm f/1.4 and have to say it's pretty friggin sweet 🙃

[@lqqkitslory]

I have a very similar set up but I do love a reflector

[@bigrobotnewstoday1436]

I would recommend having three cameras. I've heard of two stories of wedding photographers having two cameras break down at a wedding. Its super rare but why take the chance. If you don't want to spend a lot of money just get a old Nikon D200 or a Nikon D3 or D3S or D4. Also get another main backup lens maybe the Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 Mark 2 Mark 1 had a issue that drains the battery when the lens is left on the camera. Or get a 50mm. Also I recommend a third flash also. I only had one camera break down at a wedding but I felt good that I had three cameras on me. Maybe a small bad with a very small kit would be the way to go. I know its a lot to lug around.

[@Naugamonster]

Love the streamlined organization and attention to details like the printed shoot schedule - sooo thoughtful!!! So 💯 PRO!

[@ChelseaNicole]

Aw Thanks girl! 😄❤️Gotta keep it pro!

[@mikeydmalden]

i would love to hear more about how you use the watch to keep track of the timeline! do you have a video on that?

[@ChelseaNicole]

I’ve considered making a video on this! Great to know it would be helpful! 🤗

[@xeler8r]

This seems like the perfect kit! Not too much, not too little. But also surprising how little you take! No soft boxes or reflectors? From your images I swear you’d use reflectors at least!?

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks xeler8r! And nope! 🙃 I do have a white board in my styling kit for morning details. Otherwise, at most, sometimes I'll use a scrim for outdoor reception details if I wont be able to capture them during the best light, but typically I travel very light and instead utilize natural reflectors within my environment. This allows me to be more connected and in the moment. 🙂

[@tonymaxwell3302]

Will you update your z6 to the z6II since it now uses two card slots

[@ChelseaNicole]

Yes! Nikon z6II will most likely replace my D4 when it's available in Nov 🙃

[@tonymaxwell3302]

@@ChelseaNicole great, I look forward to seeing your work while using the z6 II

[@robertvanhall]

Great video, thank you very much! Have you ever considered using a Spider Holster? I couldn't do without mine any more...

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Robert! And yes, the Spider Holster is amazing! I love that it allows you to be completely hands-free to direct during portraits, and also takes weight off of your back for short periods throughout the day (which makes a big difference). I stopped using mine for weddings a few years back when I started wearing dresses more [especially higher end and black tie weddings] where it conflicted with my outfit. I found myself fidgeting with it too much, to the point where it become more of a distraction than a help. It's a fantastic tool though! I occasionally wear it for engagement sessions, when hiking or doing something where I'll want my hands free. And my husband also loves the belt attachment version that's great for lighter weight mirrorless cameras. :)

[@robertvanhall]

@@ChelseaNicole thank you for your reply! Sue Bryce is my mentor and a lot of her followers have this and are very happy with it (like me), that's why I wondered why it was not part of your wedding gear. :)

[@TheGermanCompounder]

Love that you still use the D4 and one of my fav lenses as well 85mm 1.4d! Love the output of this combination 😍

[@TouchLifeStudio]

Brilliant idea to use your Apple Watch for time line during the wedding day. I need to implement that too.

[@ChelseaNicole]

It’s seriously a game changer!! I love that you can set it to vibrate 10mins before the next calendar item. It’s helpful for staying in flow & not needing to monitor the clock. :)

[@rynebelanger7572]

So helpful! You’re the best Chels ✨⚡️

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Ryne!! 🙏🏻❤️🙂

[@erickafoust8121]

You have the best tips!! Thanks for sharing.

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks so much Ericka! 🤗❤️

[@joemeka]

Have you considered fully mirrorless, now that the Z6II has two card slots?

[@sols9449]

Do you find the D4 AF to be sufficient still. How does it perform in lowlight?

[@Hangiinjohnny]

Did you upgrade the z6 to the version 2 to get the dual card slot? Is that the future goal?

[@joseochoa5527]

Thank you very much for these tips!

[@ChelseaNicole]

You’re welcome Jose! Happy they were helpful 🤗

[@HaimGreen]

I'll take the 85mm 1.4D, one of my future collection ...

[@zippitydoowopjoe]

Think Tank Airport International V3.0 Rolling Camera Bag for 2 Gripped DSLRs with Lenses Attached, 2-4 Additional Lenses, 15" Laptop, 10" Tablet

[@RamiroGalan]

Great video like always!

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Ramiro! 🤗

[@KarenLhay]

Love this video! Cute doggie too. 😍😍😍

[@amberhelm382]

What case are you using?

[@Lakefilms]

Hey Chelsea...So are you sticking with the flagship bodies or going totally mirrorless in the future?

[@ChelseaNicole]

Hey Lance! I’m currently testing out the new Z6 II mirrorless and it’s pretty sweet! :) TBD if I’ll do a full switch for weddings - I want to do some more shoots with it first. But I have a new video going up tomorrow with some of my thoughts!

[@Lakefilms]

@@ChelseaNicole Great! I just got the D6...Wow....

[@jaypainespotter]

Great info and what a cute doggo!

[@miaeskin]

Thanks so much for this! Really helpful seeing your process. It’s also cool how you use the Apple Watch for weddings! Now I want one. 😬

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Mia! And glad you liked Apple Watch tip. It helps a ton on wedding days! 🙂

[@othmanmohammad1930]

Whats is the the bag’s name .

[@geraldpend]

Awesome gear and great video!

[@ADivaForLife]

The dog is everything 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽., Thx you for this view ❤️., I need that bag ., details please

[@ChelseaNicole]

Bella says thanks for the love!! 🐶❤️ Which bag? My main camera bag is the Think Tank International & the smaller messenger bag is an Ona bag. I have both linked here: kit.co/chelseanicole - And I also have a full review on the Ona bag here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oISUqJ6Hi7uqmrs&t=

[@izukens]

Hi Chelsea. I'm wondering how do you deal with delays on the wedding day. During the last wedding, DUA was late for an hour, which lefts us with no time to take all getting ready pictures that the bride wanted. We couldn't be late to the church, as there was another ceremony happening just after ours. I'm educating my couples about being on schedule and asking them in advance to inform DUAs how important it is to stay on the schedule, but some of them just don't care. My goal is to make my couple happy no matter what, so I'm doing everything I can, but sometimes there is literally no time. I'm wondering what are you doing to educate the couple, family and other vendors to stay organized on the wedding day. Many thanks!

[@photosbyfranci]

I always call the make-up artist and hair dresser and make sure they are on my time schedule. Of course I have the bride involved too. This has helped tremendously!

[@izukens]

@@photosbyfranci wow thank you for your advice, Franci! I will be doing that from now on. What do you tell them? I don't want them to feel like I'm rushing or coordinate them, as it may cause the opposite effect

[@Blakepurcell14]

So amazing great information. Just started my photography business. Is your 24-70 the vr?

[@ejsvideosgravacoes]

Show! Parabéns pelo vídeo e pelas dicas! Forte abraço! Elias de São paulo, Brasil!

[@nikoncanon4446]

D4 or d4s?

[@lifesbeautiful3024]

Chelsea, you’re beautiful. Great vid, and I can’t believe you fit all that gear in those two bags. You need to teach me how to pack :)

[@scsumanc4]

Didn't u carry any hard drive to back up your photos?

[@Lakefilms]

Great!

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Lance! :)

[@tinylil]

Omg cute dog - what breed?

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Lillian! Bella's a cockapoo-mix (Cockapoo + Bichon-Shih Tzu) I like to say she's a very special blend. 🐶

[@vandanrohit3464]

I didn't get anything you said, i was so distracted by that dogo 😅😅

[@bigrobotnewstoday1436]

Not judging you but you might want to look into hair dye they are find out there are bad chemicals like lead in hair dye now. Even a lot of makeup brands have bad chemicals in them. Not trying to be perverted but some of these chemicals are linked to when a woman gets pregnant and the baby being on the spectrum.