What’s in My Camera Bag
When couples ask about my kit, I always joke that it’s the one part of a wedding day that never looks pretty in photos — a pile of cameras, lenses, batteries and the odd cereal bar shoved in the side pocket. But the gear I carry isn’t random. Everything in my bag has been chosen to help me shoot weddings the way I love to shoot them: quietly, quickly and with total trust that nothing will get in the way of the moment.
I photograph every wedding with two Sony A9 cameras clipped to me. They’re totally silent, fast and reliable – ideal for capturing those unscripted moments without drawing attention. I prefer using prime lenses, six in total, often opting for a 35 & 85mm, because they give a clean, natural look and encourage me to move, interact and get closer to the story rather than sitting back with a zoom. They match the way I see a wedding day: real, intimate, grounded in the moment. Click here if you want a deep dive into why I utilise prime lenses.
For the party later on, I keep three compact flashes ready to go. Not big studio lights – just small, fast, unobtrusive tools that let me freeze the fun on the dance floor without stopping the fun. If the weather plays along, I’ll sometimes fly my DJI drone for a wide scene setter or a quiet moment above the venue. It’s never staged; just another way to show the atmosphere of the day.
And yes, I pack far more batteries and memory cards than I’ll ever need, along with a full backup camera body. Weddings move quickly and unpredictably, so the kit needs to be invisible, dependable and completely second nature. That’s the aim: nothing flashy, nothing gimmicky. Just tools that help me stay present, flexible and focused on what actually matters – people, connection, and the real story unfolding in front of me.
About the Author
Lee Maxwell is a wedding photographer based in Devon, specialising in capturing unscripted moments and the authentic atmosphere of a wedding day. With over a decade of experience photographing large and intimate weddings, all with different lighting conditions and schedules to navigate, Lee’s photography has been featured by leading publications like Rangefinder Magazine and Wed Magazine. His approach is rooted in being an unobtrusive presence, allowing real moments to unfold naturally to tell a truer story of the day. When writing these wedding guides, Lee draws on his extensive on-the-day knowledge to help couples prioritise experience over poses, ensuring their memories are as effortless and heartfelt as the day itself. You can explore more of his work in his portfolio.
