Part I/II Engagement Photo DIY: The Gear List
Recently we took our own engagement photos for our wedding website. Before I get started on the how to’s, a few quick disclaimers: A good photographer, no matter what the occasion, is the worth the investment. That said, this DIY requires pricey photo equipment. Luckily, you can rent everything you need (or perhaps the one or two things you do not already have)! That is what this post is about–the gear list!
I put two rental lists together:
- The least expensive recommended equipment. Get the most bang for your buck!
- What I used. …because in my opinion, nothing compares to the Zeiss and Sony brands (sharp as a tack). If you want the best–it’s the list for you!
Here is what you’ll need:
Equipment List
- DSLR Camera
- Memory Card
- Prime Lens: 50 mm
- Tripod
- Smart Phone
- A Smart Control Application for your iPhone or Android (usually free)
Everything can be rented through BorrowedLens.com. I highly recommend them over other rental companies because their customer support and variety cannot be beat!
Rental Lists (3 day rental)
Least Expensive- Most bang for your buck!
Canon DSLR $31 + $5.99*
Canon Prime Lens $10 + $0.75*
Tripod $10 + $0.90*
Memory Card $6.00 + $0.13*
Grand Total + Shipping: $107.21
*Damage waiver, DO NOT neglect it, it’s not a scamalama. It won’t protect you from theft, but lord forbid you drop a shiny new camera.
What I used
Sony DSLR $73 + $13.79
Zeiss 55 $46 + $5.99
Tripod $11 + $0.83
Memory Card $21 + $0.36
Grand Total + Shipping: $214.41
DSLR Camera
The brand does not matter, just as long as you can manually adjust your camera settings. It’s possible a parent or relative may have a DSLR they never use! I would caution against asking a photographer friend to borrow theirs; cameras, especially the more expensive variety, can become very personal items. It would be like letting a friend borrow 3 or 4 of your iPhones. The Canon Rebel line is a good place to start with DSLRs. There is a Canon on the rental list!
Memory Card
This is where the pictures go! If you only do a small relaxed session, you don’t need mega space (super fast photos). You can get away with a few GBs. This is something you also might find it cheaper to buy. There is one on the rental list, but Target’s got you covered. And who seriously doesn’t love an excuse to visit Target?
Prime Lens
“How do you make all of that blurry background stuff?” THAT (bokeh) my friend is the magic of a prime lens (one fixed focal length, i.e. 50). On that note, if you already own a DSLR and have not bought a 50 mm, now is the time. It will be the best little $100 piece of plastic you ever buy.
Tripod
Just as long as you have one that supports the weight of your set-up, you’re good. This is an item you might even feel comfortable borrowing. Target carries run-of-the-mill tripods for under $20. You can, and I have, set my camera on random flat surfaces when I didn’t have a tripod. However, a tripod will provide mobility.
Smart Phone
Not included on the rental list because I am hoping that one of you is tech forward. You will need an iPhone or Android phone to download the app. Most of the apps are free.
A Smart Control Application for your iPhone or Android (usually free)
THIS is the the ONLY reason we decided to do our wedding website photos—because of this technology. In my old school days, I would use a manual, plug in shutter release (SLR). In college, I used often used the self- timer (10, 20, 30 seconds…RUN!) or remote (*click*, dang was that in focus?). All of these things still work, but a LIVE smart control for your camera is ideal. You save an immense amount of time figuring out what your photograph looks like before you take the picture and know right away whether or not your settings are correct. It’s like taking a glorified selfie, but with a really, really nice camera all while adjusting everything on your camera, but from your phone.
Once you get your gear, you’ll be ready to set up your shoot! Part II!
