For a wedding photographer, the Sony cameras have plenty of advantages, but the Sony mirrorless lenses, and especially the G Master lenses, were really what motivated me to switch from my previous DSLR system. While camera bodies get much more attention on blogs and forums, it's the lenses that make or break the photos, especially on a wedding day. That's because weddings require a ton of preparation and have so many moving parts. As a wedding photographer, it’s my job to keep up with all of those parts and capture the day so the bride and groom can have these beautiful memories forever. Being that this is an incredibly momentous occasion in someone’s life, the pressure is on to get it right. There's no reshoot.
While camera bodies get much more attention on blogs and forums, it's the lenses that make or break the photos, especially on a wedding day.
Sony α7R III. Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 lens. 1/500-sec., f/2, ISO 200
My favorite lens for weddings is the 35mm f/1.4. It has a bit of a commercial photography feel and I love when portraits incorporate a little of the environment. It just makes you feel like you are in the image more than other lenses without having to deal with the distortion of a wider lens. It's also a great lens for capturing the details which you might not expect, and it really allows you to get close and pull in the surroundings.
Sony α7R III. Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master lens. 1/400-sec., f/2.8, ISO 100
My go-to lens for the ceremony itself is the 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. There is no better lens for capturing those moments while staying out of the way. The bokeh on this lens is stunning – especially at 200mm – and it creates the most compelling compression.
Sony α7R III. Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master lens. 1/500-sec., f/2.8, ISO 250
I also want to be sure to capture some wide shots of the entire ceremony and reception, so I use the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master to accomplish that. Wide shots of the environment capture the grandness of the space and the give the clients a different perspective on their ceremony. This lens gives me the flexibility of a zoom depending on the space and what I am trying to capture. It is both sharp and fast – a perfect combination for shooting indoor and outdoor ceremonies.
Sony α7R III. Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master lens. 1/2000-sec., f/1.6, ISO 400
For portraits of the couple together or other portraits of the bride and her bridal party, I use the 85mm f/1.4 G Master. This lens has stunning bokeh and great separation from the background. It is also a great distance from the subject where you can still direct but also be far enough away to allow them the space to not feel your presence. With Eye AF, I can nail the focus even though I love to shoot this lens wide open at f/1.4-2.0 most of the time. This 85mm is also very fast so it focuses quickly.
Sony α7 III. Sony 50mm f/1.4 lens. 1/2500-sec., f/1.6, ISO 100
Then when it comes time to take the family portraits, the 50mm f/1.4 lens is my the lens I use more than any other. The 50mm's angle of view is closest to what your eye sees, so when I want to capture the environment exactly as it was but just a little better and with that beautiful bokeh that I get with the f/1.4 depth of field, this is the go-to. I think it's a must-have for every wedding photographer.
Sony α7R III. Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G lens. 1/500-sec., f/2.8, ISO 250
And I always take a lot of detail shots at any wedding! I use the 90mm f/2.8 Macro to capture the rings and wedding jewelry. I also love using it for shooting those tight shots of the bride – like her lashes and other little details of the day.
