Buyer's Advice

What’s in a Wedding Photographer’s Bag? A peek into Paul Von Rieter’s camera bag gives an idea about the ideal wedding photographer’s toolkit

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2 min read

As with any artist, a wedding photographer’s choice of camera and lens combo is vital to their craft. It brings their creative vision to life and bridges the heartfelt connection built with the couples being photographed. Thinking of getting into the genre yourself and curious about what the pros are using? Here’s a quick peek inside a wedding photographer’s bag to inspire you.

Woman in a flowing white dress sits on a stone ledge by a rocky, sunlit landscape, with her hands on her head, gazing into the distance.

Photo 2021 © Paul von Rieter | FUJIFILM GFX100 and FUJINON GF80mmF1.7 R WR, 1/2000 sec at F1.7, ISO 100

While Paul Von Rieter also works on projects for commercial clients, he found his true passion in wedding photography. Drawn to the human connection that comes with documenting one of life’s most significant milestones, he picked his trusted gear with the mindset that ‘There is no room for error; no do-overs.’

FUJIFILM GFX System for Wedding Photography

For his camera of choice, Paul found FUJIFILM GFX100S to be ideal for wedding photography, calling it his ‘go-to body 99.99% of the time.’ This is no surprise, given its combination of image quality, versatility, and user-friendly design, making it an excellent choice for the craft.

Features such as its 102-megapixel sensor, high dynamic range, in-body image stabilization, impressive battery life, and low-light performance ensure reliability in capturing both intimate and grand wedding moments.

Another reason that makes GFX System cameras great for wedding photography is Fujifilm’s beloved Film Simulation modes. Paul finds them essential to his workflow, particularly when tweaking photos in-camera. “I use CLASSIC CHROME and modify it; I’ve also got more into CLASSIC Neg.,” he says of his favorites.

Photo 2023 © Paul von Rieter | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF55mmF1.7 R WR, 1/80 sec at F1.7, ISO 400
Photo 2023 © Paul von Rieter | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF55mmF1.7 R WR, 1/2500 sec at F1.7, ISO 320

FUJINON GF55mmF1.7 R WR as a Wedding Lens

As for the lens, Paul often pairs the powerful GFX System bodies with FUJINON GF55mmF1.7 R WR. It provides a versatile focal length that works well for both close-up and environmental portraits.

“The thing about GF55mmF1.7 is that it fills part of my bag that hadn’t existed until now. It’s a magical focal range when it comes down to how it renders,” he explains.

With its wide aperture, this lens also produces a shallow depth-of-field with beautiful, soft bokeh while keeping the subject in sharp focus. This effect is especially useful for highlighting important moments – like the exchange of vows or close-up portraits – in low light or at night.

Another advantage of GF55mmF1.7 for Paul is how it can focus extremely closely on small objects, which works in tandem with the high resolution of GFX100S for documenting wedding keepsakes in full detail.

“I’m photographing rings with it, cropping it 100%, and then I’m done. The 102 megapixels help with that. It’s so sharp that you don’t have to be concerned.”