My Favorite (Photography) Things | Wedding & Portrait Photographer Accessories
“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, white balance filters and clear shower curtains…” (Are you singing along with the song from Sound of Music yet?)
Photography gear and equipment can YEARS to acquire—it can be incredibly expensive, and sometimes you might not know where to start. I just recently became an Amazon Affiliate, meaning I earn a little bit of commission on items that people purchase from my recommendations, so I decided to create a blog post with some of my favorite accessories that have made my life as a photographer so much easier! I have included accessories that help create lighting, style details, and just some favorite must-haves that have simplified my life as a wedding and portrait photographer. Some are fairly inexpensive, and some you may already have in your home! And if you think something is completely random, read the little blurb about how I use it. You might learn something new! (Check out a separate post about what cameras and lenses I would recommend!)
Accessories to Create Lighting
5-in-1 Light Diffuser/Reflector Kit
I have two of these; they are fantastic to help diffuse and bounce light when you are in less than ideal lighting situations! ($25-35)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/3OIunut
White Balance Filter
Sometimes finding the perfect white balance can be a beast, but a white balance filter makes it so simple! Hold it up to your lens, change your white balance settings to program mode, and aim in the direction of the light source. The filter will find the appropriate light temperature to help set your white balance. ($15-20)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/44TN83T
MagMod Flash Accessories
I cannot say enough about my MagMod flash accessories. It helps me create diffused light and control my flash, add colors, and attaches easily with built-in magnets! ($180-200)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/44XZJD2
Atmosphere Spray
If you don’t have access to a fog machine or are out in a wide open field with no plugs, this stuff is amazing! It lasts a lot longer than you think and can help you create stunning, moody images with your flashes and modifiers, if you want to get creative! ($25-40)
Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4d2S1eF
Detail Styling Accessories
50 piece tiny rhinestone collection
This is a great tool to have in your detail styling kit! Sprinkle these around the stationery suite, rings, jewelry, ribbons, shoes, and flowers for some added bling! ($7-10)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/3rR0RcS
Chiffon Ribbons
These are great to keep in your detail styling kit—they come in all the popular colors! ($15-20)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/3KuDnAW
Acrylic Blocks
Use these to put underneath details to add a little dimension, especially when you’re photographing the invitation suite. ($8-15)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/3qCnP7j
Dental Wax
Random, right? But hang on…this is a genius idea from my amazing product photographer friend Haylie Jeter. You can use little tiny bits of dental wax to help style wedding details, like keeping the rings still! ($5-10)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/440QzV0
Satin Hangers
I can’t tell you how many times I have arrived at a wedding and found the dress hanging on an ugly plastic hangers. Having these onhand allows me to hang the wedding dress and/or bridesmaids’ dresses on pretty hanger! ($10-20)
Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4cXVaMK
Other Must-Haves
Pop Up Changing Room
Sometimes seniors or couples have multiple outfits they’d like to showcase, but there may not be a bathroom nearby to change in. Enter the portable changing room! This thing is so handy and is so easy to fold up and carry! Your clients will be impressed when you whip it out! ($25-40)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/3L2Xne4
Stepstool
I’m pretty short, so having this helps me get a better angle and not shoot up the noses of some of my taller clients! It also folds up and is easy to carry. ($10-15)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/3KuuSG6
Clear Shower Curtain
Another seemingly random item, but think again… when you are doing portrait sessions and need your families to sit on a blanket, but the ground is damp, or when you’re photographing a bride and need to protect her shoes, this is the PERFECT trick! ($6-10)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/43Rqjw9
White Tablecloth/Sheet
For bridal portrait sessions, it’s nice to have a white sheet, or even better, a waterproof tablecloth, to put underneath the bride so that her dress doesn’t get dirty before her wedding day. You can tuck it up under her dress and no one will notice! ($8-10)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/3YoXCpx
Clear Umbrellas
You don’t want your clients to get wet, but you also don’t want your equipment to get wet! Clear umbrellas make beautiful props AND help keep you and your clients dry. I once shot an entire wedding in pouring down rain under my clear umbrella..ella, ella, eh, eh, eh… A stash of these can help you save the wedding day if it begins to rain! ($15-20 apiece, or $50-100 for multiples; the linked set of 8 runs about $70)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/440QzV0
Waterproof Shoes
My friend Haylie wore a pair of Crocs to a wedding she helped me second shoot, and I was in black Toms. As the evening went on, the ground got wet, and her shoes were fine, while mine got soaked (and if you know Toms, wet Toms don’t smell great and dry very stiff!). I bought a pair of black slip-on Crocs and wear them to every outdoor wedding now…you just have to rinse them out if they get muddy or dirty and they’re as good as new! ($30-50)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/3DF1xoB
Black Dress (with Pockets)
Photographing sessions or weddings in the summer can be…whew. Wearing a dress like this can make your day SO much easier! It’s easy to move around in, you can squat down without worry (and I always wear a pair of biker shorts just in case), and IT HAS POCKETS. ($25-50)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/3s3hRN6
Charger/Power Strip
At weddings, you often have to scrounge around to find an available plug, let alone multiple ones to charge several batteries. I bought a portable powerstrip that I bring with me to every wedding so that I don’t have to compete for plugs with the videographer and DJ! ($15-30)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/47m8Bnq
Bridal Emergency Kit
Pinch Provisions has a variety of bridal emergency kits for brides, bridesmaids, and moms! Keeping one of these handy can save the day for a bride. ($15-50, depending on contents)
Amazon Associate Link: https://amzn.to/45SROXx
Pencil with Eraser
Yep, that’s a pencil. You probably have one laying around your house already. One of my military friends taught me this trick when I was photographing his family and my flash started firing sporadically. He handed me a pencil and told me to use the eraser to clean the connection on my hotshoe…and it worked!
Below is a link to my entire Amazon wishlist. (I am still struggling to figure out how to create a storefront!) If you visit it, make sure you add any items to your own cart so they can be shipped to you!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3UO8273INFHLD?ref_=wl_share
What are your favorite photography accessories? Please share below! And please let me know if any of the links are broken so that I can fix them!
Blog post updated and edited by author, July 13, 2024.