I recently received an email from one of our readers about photographing weddings with an entry-level DSLR (Nikon D3000) and an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. The request was to help out in understanding how to photograph weddings, figuring out the right camera settings and proper posing. Without much thinking, I responded to the query by saying that he/she should not photograph the wedding and perhaps leave the task to someone who knows what equipment to use and more importantly, how to use it. I never got a follow up email after that, but I have been thinking about the email ever since. I then remembered watching videos of photographers getting sued by couples for failing to deliver images, getting their gear stolen after photographing many weddings and failing to properly backup images and many other problems encountered by newbie photographers.
Such topics bring up a heated debate over the type of equipment wedding photographers should and should not use. I know that I am opening up a can of worms here, but here is my personal take on the subject. Yes, most modern DSLR cameras are great and even the cheapest entry-level DSLRs today are equipped with a better image sensor than the most expensive cameras from a few years ago. As I have said it in some of my posts like Nikon vs Canon vs Sony, a camera is just a tool. However, there are certain factors that have a direct impact on images, such as lenses and the skill of the photographer. So, the camera is only a part of the equation here. Can cheap cameras create great photographs? Absolutely. Just like expensive cameras that can produce bad photographs.
So why did I tell the reader not to photograph the wedding with the D3000 and a kit lens? Because he/she had no idea how to use it. And that’s so bad about this situation. If the photographer knew what they were doing and they wanted to shoot the entire wedding with their camera phone, who could blame them for wrongdoing, as long as the couple and the family is OK with it? Again, a camera is just a tool and one can take exceptional pictures with pretty much any camera today.
Now when I get asked what to recommend for someone who is just getting into wedding photography, my response is always to get the best lenses first, and then worry about the camera. Lenses are far more important than cameras, because that’s what draws the picture. A cheap zoom lens cannot do what a nifty fifty prime can. If you want to create beautiful images for your clients that you can showcase for your business, get the best glass you can afford. As for the camera, if you can afford a full-frame camera, get one, as it will give you amazing image quality, even when photographing in low-light conditions (which is what often happens when photographing weddings indoors). If budget is an issue, get a cropped-sensor camera like the Nikon D7200. This is assuming that you already have a camera and know what you are doing. But don’t go out and shoot weddings with an entry-level DSLR if you are serious about your business. After-all, your gear is also the face of your company and business. Unless you are doing this for fun or just helping out a friend…
Hi Nasim
Great advice about shooting weddings and relative camera to use. What you say about the camera being the tool is so right. I heard it said a little differently recently when someone answered; If Tiger Woods went into a KMart store and bought the cheapest set of golf clubs he would still play golf like Tiger Woods. If I went into the biggest gold store and bought the most expensive set of clubs I would still play golf like me. “It is the operator who works the tool, and the tail doesn’t wag the dog”.
You answer this as a photographer… which is usually a critic and a perfectionist in a world where perfection is in the eye of the beholder. When you realize that even your photos aren’t going to be perfect when other photographers look at them, I hope you enjoy the reality of the criticism and negativity that the eye of perfection is seen through. You should have provided help for that photographer that you simply told to not use the D3300. You gained one view of your article but I guarantee you that I will never read your articles again.
Read the third paragraph – it is for you.
Hi,
I have a Canon Rebel Eos SL1 with the standard lens (18-55mm) and picked up a Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 , Was asked to do someone’s Weddings, Got any tips?
Hi,
I have a Canon Rebel Eos SL1 with the standard lens (18-55mm) and picked up a Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 , Was asked to do someone’s Weddings, Got any tips?
Thank you for this piece. it’s always appreciated when somebody takes time to share some knowledge. I bought an entry level DSLR and had no idea how to use it or what lens. I bought some video editing software and I had no idea how to use that.
There’s no way I can create those incredibly perfect shots or videos a truly master camera expert can. So I watched a few high end wedding videos. They had nice music, easy enough. A lot of focus in, focus out, not to hard. So I started to ask why can’t a novice make a good wedding video?
I couldn’t think of an answer aside from you’re an expert and this an authority site so you’d rather they didn’t. Saying you need the right lens, you need right cameraman is like saying you can only tell a story if you’re a wordsmith.
I know tons of people with limited vocab that tell great stories. A wedding is an experience, sure perfect images and world class camerawork are ideal but not accessible to all. The story is the main aspect. I have accosted my brother and forced him to allow me to video his wedding.
I will post results here and I am honest 100% when I say I haven’t owned a camera my mobile aside for 10 years and never edited in my life. I think with basic training and an ability to tell a story it will matter little.
Guess we’ll see
Hi Nassim,
Your articles are really good. I own D3300 since 2 years and i planned to upgrade my gear since i face some constraints like focus points. I often used my friend’s Canon 70D and Nikon D5300 as well. I would like to go for Canon 80D/Nikon 7200 because of its features whatever i expected on next gear. Till now i haven’t invested on lenses for my current D3300. I want to choose either 80D/D750.
I have a question among Nikon and Canon images(cameras with same range). I could see Nikon images are sharper than Canon whereas Canon images are colorful than Nikon.
Your suggestion please.
Thank you,
Dev
Hi Nasim,
the last year I bought the D3300 and the kit that normally come with it, but now I’m going to buy the lenses 35mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.4 plus two speedlights and the Westcott Rapid Box 26″ Octa Speedlite Kit, I want to start shooting at weddings and doing portraits, and little by little be better in my photography getting more clients and in the future, upgrade my camera, but at the moment I only can start using this gear. After I read your post (magnificent as every post of your page), I have to ask you if this will be a good way to start in this field, I have several years shooting street photography and some portraits but only for fun, now I want to become a pro and improve myself.
Thank you for share your knowledge :),
Natalia
Hello,
I don’t mean to be repetitive, I’m just looking for a quick opinion. I own an entry level DSLR; D3300 to be exact. However, I KNOW how to use it in my short time with it. I believe I’ve taken really good portraits (especially for only an 18-55mm kit lens). I plan on buying the 50mm 1.8g soon as well as the sigma 18-50 2.8. If I’m confident and I’ll own more useful glass by the time of the wedding (October 2016), do you think I will be okay?
Thanks for your time,
Jordan
Hi Nasim,
I was wondering if you had the chance to test the Sony RX100 III ?
I am not a professional photographer but I’m going to shoot my brother’s wedding… would this camera work to shoot at a wedding? Or should I borrow a proper DLSR?
Thanks for the help
Cami
Judging by the comments I’m not the only one who’s friend has said, “you must photograph my wedding!” Quite apart from feeling nervous about whether I would be able to do it well enough, I felt disappointment. I don’t think my friend realized that if I am to photograph her wedding, I am not invited as a guest. I will be at work.