What kind of equipment do you use?

As a professional wedding photographer, the quality of the equipment I use plays a crucial role in capturing the beauty and emotion of your special day. I invest in top-of-the-line gear to ensure that I can deliver stunning, high-resolution images in any environment. Here’s a detailed look at the equipment I use:

1. Cameras

  • Canon EOS R5: This is my primary camera body. The Canon EOS R5 is a full-frame mirrorless camera that offers exceptional image quality with its 45-megapixel sensor. It’s renowned for its fast autofocus, high dynamic range, and excellent performance in low light, making it ideal for capturing everything from bright outdoor ceremonies to dimly lit receptions.
  • Canon EOS R6: As a secondary camera, the Canon EOS R6 complements the R5. It features a 20-megapixel full-frame sensor with outstanding low-light capabilities and fast burst shooting. This camera is perfect for capturing candid moments and action shots with precision.

2. Lenses

  • Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM: This prime lens is one of my favorites for wedding photography. With its wide aperture, it excels in creating beautifully blurred backgrounds (bokeh) while maintaining incredible sharpness on the subject. It’s perfect for portraits, detail shots, and low-light conditions.
  • Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM: A versatile zoom lens, the 24-70mm covers a range of focal lengths, making it ideal for capturing everything from wide-angle shots of the ceremony to close-up portraits. The image stabilization feature ensures sharp images even in less-than-ideal lighting.
  • Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM: This telephoto zoom lens is essential for capturing moments from a distance, such as during the ceremony or when taking candid shots without intruding on the scene. Its fast aperture and image stabilization allow for crisp images even in challenging lighting.
  • Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM: The 85mm is another prime lens I frequently use, particularly for portraits. It offers superb image quality and beautiful background separation, making it ideal for capturing the emotions and details of the day.

3. Lighting Equipment

  • Profoto B10 Plus: This portable studio light is powerful yet compact, making it perfect for on-location shoots. The Profoto B10 Plus provides consistent, high-quality light, which is essential for creating beautifully lit portraits, especially in environments where natural light is insufficient.
  • Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT: For on-camera flash, I use the Canon Speedlite, which offers versatile lighting options for both indoor and outdoor settings. It’s particularly useful for fill light during receptions or when photographing in dimly lit venues.

4. Modifiers and Accessories

  • MagMod MagSphere and MagGrid: These are light modifiers that I use to control and soften the light from my flashes. The MagSphere diffuses light for a more natural look, while the MagGrid focuses the light to prevent spill and create more dramatic effects.
  • Reflectors: I carry a variety of collapsible reflectors to bounce and direct natural light onto subjects. These are particularly useful for outdoor portraits and group shots.
  • Tripods and Monopods: For stability, especially during long exposures or in low light, I use sturdy tripods and monopods. These are also essential when capturing panoramic shots or when I need to keep the camera steady for extended periods.

5. Memory and Storage

  • SanDisk Extreme Pro CFexpress and SD Cards: I use high-capacity, high-speed memory cards to ensure that I can capture and store images quickly without delays. The CFexpress cards are particularly important for shooting in high-resolution or for continuous bursts during fast-paced moments.
  • Portable SSD Drives: After the shoot, I back up all images to portable SSD drives on-site. These drives offer fast transfer speeds and are more reliable than traditional hard drives, ensuring that your photos are safely stored until they can be backed up again in my studio.

6. Post-Production Tools

  • Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop: In post-production, I use Adobe Lightroom for cataloging and initial edits, such as color correction, exposure adjustments, and cropping. Photoshop is then used for more detailed retouching and image enhancements, ensuring that each photo meets the highest standards before delivery.
  • Wacom Intuos Pro Tablet: For precision editing, I use a Wacom tablet, which allows for more detailed and accurate adjustments in Photoshop, particularly when it comes to retouching portraits or enhancing specific elements in an image.

7. Drones (Optional)

  • DJI Mavic 3: For couples who want aerial shots of their venue or dramatic outdoor landscapes, I use the DJI Mavic 3 drone. It captures stunning 4K video and high-resolution stills, providing a unique perspective that adds a cinematic touch to your wedding day story.

8. Software and Workflow

  • Backup Software: I use specialized backup software that automatically duplicates your images to multiple locations, including cloud storage, ensuring they are protected from data loss.
  • Color Calibration Tools: To ensure color accuracy from capture to print, I use color calibration tools like the X-Rite ColorChecker, which helps maintain consistent and true-to-life colors throughout the editing process.

By using top-tier equipment and staying up-to-date with the latest technology, I ensure that I can capture your wedding day with the highest level of quality and creativity. This commitment to using the best tools available allows me to focus on what truly matters: telling your love story through timeless, evocative photography.

Ali Kizginyurek

Houston-based wedding photographer Ali Kizginyurek began his journey in photography at the tender age of 14, initially working as a Photographic Assistant in eastern Turkey. His early experiences fueled a passion that led him to a career in journalism, where he sharpened his skills capturing compelling stories through the lens. His stint as a reporter included a transformative period in Paris from 2001 to 2004, which broadened his horizons and deepened his appreciation for visual storytelling.