Last updated: June 2026
Note: This article features advice and gear recommendations from professional wedding photographer Ben Connolly, originally published in 2019. The photography techniques and principles remain as relevant as ever, though some specific camera models mentioned in Ben’s kit list may have been superseded by newer releases.
Wondering how to get into wedding photography but don’t know where to start? We spoke to professional wedding photographer Ben Connolly to find out his top tips, tricks, and gear recommendations.
“As a professional photographer I shoot a lot of different types of work, but I found early on that weddings were my forte,” says Ben. “The beauty of weddings is that there will always be situations that are unfamiliar to you — embrace it!”
Here are Ben’s four essential tips for beautiful wedding photography.
1. Find your motivation
“Ask yourself why you’re choosing this job,” says Ben. “Your ‘why’ is the reason you’ll get out of bed every day and push to be the best you can be. There is no right or wrong — it simply has to be powerful enough to keep you focused.”
Ben outlines six fundamentals that underpin every great wedding shot:
Light. “Lighting is the first step to any photograph — look for light before anything else.”
Location. “The best setting is the one with the best light. Don’t be seduced by a nice background — if you skip step one, you’ll have to go back to it.”
Direction. “When directing your subject, give them a reason to be in that particular scene so the photograph looks natural and unposed.” Adapt your poses to highlight strengths and minimise weaknesses — everyone wants to look their best on their wedding day.
Technique. Ben’s four-step process for exposure:
- Select the lowest ISO you can get away with
- Choose your white balance
- Choose your aperture setting
- Dial in your shutter speed for the correct exposure
Learning manual mode gives you a real understanding of how different settings affect different outcomes.
Expression. “Use that great personality of yours. Test your subjects to see what you can get away with, but always be respectful.” Showing them photos as you go builds trust and helps them relax.
Story. “Telling a story with your photographs is wonderful for family and friends, and essential if you’re planning to make a living from photography. Having a story in mind — or an idea of how an album will be laid out — is key to selling your work.”
2. Master the six fundamentals in practice
The six steps above aren’t new or groundbreaking, says Ben — but they are the actions you need to take consistently in order to shoot and sell great quality images. Revisit them before every shoot until they become second nature.
3. Wedding photography is 99% personality
“Be yourself and stay true to who you are,” says Ben. “The quality and type of people attracted to you and your work will be directly proportionate to how effectively you communicate your ‘why’ and how passionate you are about giving them the best possible outcome.”
4. Carry the right wedding photography equipment
To create must-have wedding photos, you need the right gear. Ben shared what’s in his kit bag — note that some specific models have since been updated, but the categories and lens choices remain a solid reference point for any aspiring wedding photographer.
Camera bags. Ben’s main bag is the Thinktank Rollerbag, with a LowePro Backpack for lighter days.
Cameras. Ben shoots with two Canon 1DX II bodies and carries a Canon 5DSr for backup, landscape, and night photography.
Lenses. Ben carries six lenses to cover every angle:
- Sigma Art 50mm prime f1.4
- Sigma Art 14–24mm wide-angle f2.8
- Sigma Art 85mm prime f1.4
- Canon 70–200mm f2.8
- Canon 100mm macro
- Canon 24–70mm f2.8
Flash & lighting. Ben’s bag has a solution for any lighting situation:
- 3 x Profoto A1 flashes with wireless trigger
- Profoto light grids and colour gels
- 2 x Selens light stands
- 2 x high-output torches
- Light painting equipment (light tubes and fibre optic whips)
- 2 x small portable softboxes
- Icelight
- Omega 5-in-1 reflector
Other essentials.
- Canon RC6 shutter trigger
- Manfrotto tripod
“It sounds like a lot,” says Ben, “but in practice it’s pretty easy to manage — it all fits inside both bags.”
All images copyright Ben Connolly.
Getting started
If you’re ready to launch your wedding photography career, drop into your local Ted’s Cameras store to speak with our team for advice on the right gear for you. You can also browse our flash and lighting range or explore portrait lenses online.