FAQ: Do you have back-up gear?

As you look for the perfect photographer for your wedding, you will likely found a long list of “must ask” questions while chatting with who you are considering. To make it easier for you, I have started this series of blog posts to answer all of those frequently asked questions.

I have photographed all of my weddings, going back to my very first, with at least a backup camera with me. Since then, my “collection” has grown so that I have backups for my backups. The last thing a photographer should be worried about is gear failure and having multiples ensures that I can continue to photograph your session or event without you realizing anything has happened. You might say “But what are the odds that you need it?” Well, it always happens when you least expect it!

I’ll let you in on a secret. I was once photographing a wedding and, just as the processional started, one of my camera bodies failed and I couldn’t get it back up and running. But I always carrying two cameras on me until after all of the important formalities are over. So I swapped to my other camera and kept on photographing the rest of the event without the couple ever knowing something happened. In fact, I am pretty sure that they never did find out.

In addition to backup equipment, I also use cameras with multiple memory card slots so that the images themselves are backed up immediately. Once the session or event has concluded, I always keep one set of memory cards on me until I get to my office to download them. The other set of cards stay in my locked case.

In the end, I do everything that I can to avoid any equipment failures and, should it happen, ensure that it is a non-issue for my clients.

Canon Professional Wedding Photography Equipment