Wedding photography is a uniquely versatile profession. One week you’re cooped up at home editing all hours of the day and night, and the next, you’re running through airports trying to catch connecting flights. It can be hard to stay prepared and comfortable. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of photographer essentials that’ll help you out in any predicament–from equipment upgrades to home items you never knew you needed until now.
But don’t just take our word for it. Every item included is a top-rated bestseller with a helpful review attached. We even added links to multiple stores so that you can find the best price. There’s no excuse to fill up that cart–happy shopping!
Top-Rated Photographer Essentials
- Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap 2.0
- SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
- NOOLA Fanny Pack
- EasyAcc Handheld Fan
- Think Tank Pocket Rocket Memory Card Case
- Lexar Professional Multi-card Reader
- UPLIFT V2 Standing Desk
- Anker Powercore Select 20000
- Nikon Lens Pen Pro kit
- Purple Double Seat Cushion
- Powerstep Pinnacle Insoles
A Versatile and Stabilizing Camera Strap
You’re probably familiar with Peak Design’s famous camera strap, but we would be remiss to leave it out. The Slide Lite is different in that it’s made for quick and easy adjustments, allowing you to find the best fit in seconds. It also uses anchors–instead of bulky D-rings–designed to alert you of wear and tear to help you avoid potential disasters. It may not be the most fashionable strap, but it is the most beloved.
Amazon.com
Where to Buy: Amazon or Best Buy
Price: $59.95
Helpful Review: “It was expensive for ‘just a strap’ so I waited a bit–don’t [wait.] Just get it. It’s a life changer.”
The Only Portable SSD You’ll Need
Keeping your images safe in between computer uploads is photography 101. The SanDisk Extreme checks all the boxes for a desirable portable hard drive–fast, easy, encrypted, and durable. Its lightweight, compact size makes it easy to slip into any camera bag while also being available in storage capacities from 1 to 4TB. Honestly, the SanDisk Extreme might be a new photographer necessity.
Amazon.com
Where to Buy: Amazon, Best Buy, or Target
Price: Varies According to Size
Helpful Review: “This SSD is the best I have ever used. It’s small and easy to carry to photoshoots, travel, etc. It is super fast when importing RAW photos/videos and while editing. Highly suggest this SSD for photographers and videographers.”
Waist Pack with Water Bottle Storage
Fanny pack, waist bag, bum bag–whatever you call it, this convenient storage pack is a game changer for long wedding days. This sleek bag from Amazon looks professional while also keeping your essentials at your fingertips. It also features a newly designed water pouch with an anti-fall elastic rope. You’ll never have to go thirsty at a summer wedding again.
Amazon.com
Where to Buy: Amazon
Price: $21.99
Helpful Review: “This [bag] comes in very handy when I’m out on a photo shoot. I can carry water along with my camera accessories. I can even fit one of my smaller lenses.”
A Handheld Fan To Fight the Heat
While we’re on the topic of summer weddings, here’s a gadget you should always have on hand. This powerful and portable fan has four speeds and stays charged for up to 17 hours. Whip this out for yourself or for anyone in the wedding party who needs a break from the heat. Trust us, they’ll be forever grateful.
Amazon.com
Where to Buy: Amazon
Price: $19.99
Helpful Review: “I had it on for 8+ hours yesterday, and it never needed to be charged. It’s [also] so quiet. I had it on throughout a wedding ceremony, and the people right next to me didn’t even notice until they got a bit of the cool breeze.”
A Trustworthy Memory Card Case
One of the most precious items in your bag can also be one of the easiest to misplace. Thankfully, Think Tank has designed a wallet to keep your memory cards safe and sound. Though it holds up to 10 CF cards at once, it’s still compact enough to leave plenty of room in your camera bag.
Amazon.com
Where to Buy: Amazon or B&H Photo
Price: $21.75
Helpful Review: “I’m a wedding photographer, and I love that I can clip this card holder to the inside of my camera bag. [It] holds multiple CompactFlash cards at once, and I [can] even put my business cards in there. I feel safe storing my cards in this until I get home and download them.”
Lightning-Fast Memory Card Reader
If speed is what you’re after while uploading memory cards, look no further. The Lexar Professional reader boasts file transfer speeds of up to 312MB/s for SD and microSD and up to 160MB/s for CompactFlash. It’s a simple purchase to improve your workflow.
Amazon.com
Where to Buy: Amazon or Walmart
Price: $29.99
Helpful Review: “The newer, faster memory cards need a newer, faster card reader. This is the one. It’s well made, works well, and is reasonably priced. Downloading 45-megapixel images into Lightroom is fast and easy.”
The Ultimate Standing Desk
This is one of the pricier items on our list, but as a photographer, you know a good desk setup is vital. There are several brands available making adjustable desks, but no one has better reviews than UPLIFT’s V2. If you’re hung up on the price, try searching Facebook Marketplace or other online resale sites for a preowned option.
UpliftDesk.com
Where to Buy: UPLIFT
Price: $600.00+
Helpful Review: “I’m a photographer/videographer that spends hours on end editing. No matter how hard I try sitting with [the] correct posture, I always wind up slumping. Now with my UPLIFT desk, when I start slouching, I know it’s time to stand up and save my back!”
A Power Bank to Keep You Moving
Waiting for electrical outlets to charge your devices is a thing of the past. The Anker PowerCore Select 20000 is all you’ll ever need. Keep your camera, laptop, tablet, phone, and more charged at all times. The dual ports also allow you to charge two devices at once.
Target.com
Where to Buy: Anker and Target
Price: $52.99
Helpful Review: “This portable charger is a must-have for anyone that is electronically dependent. It is great to have while traveling or during an emergency.”
A Cleaning Kit Better than the Rest
As some reviewers attest, this cleaning kit is the gold standard, even for non-Nikon users. The Nikon Lens Pen Pro kit comes with two retractable pens (standard and micro,) an anti-fog cloth, and a microfiber cleaning cloth, all in a small, zippered carrying case. We don’t wish it on anyone, but you’ll be set if your lens ever gets dropped in the dirt on the job.
Ebay.com
Where to Buy: Amazon or B&H Photo
Price: $28.95
Helpful Review: “The retractable brushes in the pens are terrific and store easily. The real plus though, is the special cup-shaped applicator that doesn’t require liquids or chemicals to be added and appears to leave no residue behind. I learned it’s the non-liquid compound on a natural chamois tip that does the fingerprint removal so well.”
Chair Cushions to Make Editing More Bearable
If you have struggled to find “the right” office chair, it might be time to buy specialized cushions instead. The brand that makes top-of-the-line mattresses also makes comfy and durable chair cushions people swear by. This specific cushion keeps you feeling supported with reduced pressure for hours on end. If you deal with back pain, make sure to check out their back cushion too.
Purple.com
Where to Buy: Purple or Amazon
Price: $107.00
Helpful Review: “I sit at a computer all day, and I have a good chair, but it didn’t seem to help. My chiropractor recommended this seat cushion, and it has been a lifesaver.”
Podiatrist-Recommended Shoe Insoles
Finding shoes that are both comfortable and professional can be tough. But with these PowerStep insoles, you can transform any pair of shoes into comfortable ones. They are designed for all-day comfort, pain relief, and stability. Just select based on your standard shoe size, and they’ll be shipped ready to go with no trimming needed.
Amazon.com
Where to Buy: Amazon or Walmart
Price: $45.00
Helpful Review: “This is an amazing product. [They] feel very comfortable in my dress shoes which I wear for work. And I’ve worn [them] with or without trouser socks. No pain and I stand quite a bit at work.”
Did we leave out any photographer essentials you swear by? Let us know in the comments below! If you were hoping to get camera bag suggestions, don’t worry. We have a separate list just for you.