What’s In My Bag: Kesha Lambert’s Sony Alpha Kit For Capturing Wedding Day Action

alpha-jessica-a · February 14

Kesha Lambert is an international wedding and portrait photographer who has documented several hundred weddings. “I love photographing people and I love the fast pace of a wedding day," she says. "As a wedding photographer I encounter every type of setting and lighting condition imaginable. In many ways working in an uncontrolled environment presents opportunities to grow in my understanding of light and push myself to create something new. Having gear that can keep pace with the challenges and the opportunities of the wedding day is a must. Having back up gear in case of the unexpected is also a must. For this reason my bag is so much more robust when I am photographing a wedding.”

Learn more about the Sony Alpha gear in her wedding day photography kit.

Cameras

Alpha 1: This camera does it all. The Alpha 1 is a staple for me because it is feature rich. The renderings from this camera are striking and the camera itself is compact and lightweight. From dimly lit churches to dance floor action shots, the Alpha 1 puts all of the features that I love and need into one camera body.

Alpha 9 II : On the wedding day I typically wear two cameras on a double harness and the Alpha 9 II is one of those cameras. The auto focus is fast and reliable and the wedding day is full of fast unfolding action. Be it a flower girl running instead of walking down the aisle during the ceremony processional, or a garter toss tussle the Alpha 9 II is up for the task.

Sony Alpha 7R IV : With 61 MP, the Alpha 7R IV is my go-to for portraits, close-ups, and macro shots of details like jewelry and decor. Although I only typically use two camera bodies, I use this camera for these specific types of photos and also as back up.

Lenses

Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master: This lens is a staple for me. I use it at every wedding and it is almost always in use on at least one camera on my harness. The compression of this lens is ideal for portraits and it’s perfect focal point for capturing moments allows me to get close, but not too close. Images captured wide open at f/1.4 always wow our couples because of how razor sharp the images are along with the beautiful bokeh. This lens is also my preferred focal point for the wedding processional.

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master: This fast zoom is my go-to when I can’t, or don’t want to get too close to a moment like the first dance or an intimate exchange between mother and groom. It allows me to fade into the background and capture things my client isn’t aware I’m capturing.

Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master: I love using this lens for sweeping shots of the ballroom photos, dance floor action and dramatic portraits.

Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G: This macro lens is a must-have for wedding detail shots like jewelry, capturing engraved text, and small decor items. I also use the 90mm for makeup shots during bridal prep.

Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master: The 24mm f/1.4 G Master is one of my go-to's because wide angle portraits are a staple in my portfolio and it’s also the lightest weight lens in my bag. The 24mm GM is a lightweight and compact wide angle that opens up to f/1.4 and renders a smooth circular bokeh. It's the perfect choice for location sessions involving long walks or long hours standing.

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master: The 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master is a wedding photography staple. It's a great all-around lens to leave on one of my cameras for wedding reception candids, or any situation where space to move around is limited or where time won't allow for swapping out lenses. It has all of the features I've come to love and expect from GM lenses; durable build, beautiful contrast and color.