The camera is obviously one of the most important items in your list of “must-haves” if you are dead serious in pursuing a career as a successful wedding photographer. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that selecting the appropriate camera is just one of the things that you must consider when starting out in the business of wedding photography. You should remember the golden rule: A good camera does necessarily make a good photographer.  

You should understand that the selection process for the right camera, and other equipment for that matter, must be done by considering your needs and requirements as a professional photographer. It may not necessarily mean that you must have the latest gizmos and upgrades that are available in the market. Factors like equipment interface and compatibility should be considered. You should also consider technical competency. It is pointless to buy a camera which you are not familiar or not comfortable in using. 

Be that as it may, there are certain major parameters that must come into play when you are shopping for the right camera for your wedding photography business. The manner in which you are going to apply these factors is essential as the right camera is your initial step in your effort of becoming an accomplished professional wedding photographer. 

1. Film Camera vs. Digital Camera

Determining which is better between a film camera and a digital is as difficult as comparing apples with oranges. Film camera and digital camera have there own set of strong points. The best way to look at it is that both have their own niche and it is important to look at your motivations and your requirements as a professional wedding photographer when making your decision.

The film camera and digital camera complement each other. Each has its own set of uses and both are expected to maintain their usefulness despite all the gizmos and latest gadgets that come our way every 6 months. If you want to be a bit technical in the comparison between film and digital cameras, then your research should go beyond the bit depth and resolution. You have to include in the equation high end parameters like highlight rendition, color range, general transfer functions and lot more complicated stuffs. But do remember that digital cameras are the future. The improving technology will only make them better. So if you are just thinking about starting digital photography, then digital camera is the way to go!.

2. Point and Shoot vs dSLR Digital Camera

Your entry-level kit should include not only the top of the line dSLR camera but also a compact point and shoot digital camera. The main tool that we normally see during weddings is the bulkier and heavier SLR digital camera. However, seasoned and professional wedding photographers will normally carry a point and shoot camera as their backup gadget particularly when making lens changes and taking shots in succession.

3. Megapixels Can Make a Good Wedding Photographer

When you are shopping for the right digital camera, you normally associate the capability and functionality of the gadget based on the megapixel count. Megapixels may have been the standard of performance of digital cameras for most of us. However, there are a lot more things to consider when selecting the best digital camera for your wedding photography needs. Variables such as processing algorithms and optics must come into play in the final selection phase. You will find out in the latter part of the article why we have some digital cameras give us better quality shots than another camera with the same MP count.

4. Image Quality is The Major Consideration In Camera Selection

If you want to make a move like the pros do, then you have got to consider image quality when deciding on the appropriate digital camera for your wedding photography business. Image quality is the leveling factor when it comes to digital cameras. You should seriously look at image sharpness, color fidelity and functional range of your camera as these are the critical factors that will distinguish your flexibility and capabilities as a professional wedding photographer.

5. Need for Speed

Speed is an all important variable in the highly competitive world of wedding photography. Unfortunately, speed is not a strong suit of digital cameras. We may be witnessing the entry into the market of “hi-speed” digital cameras, but this new generation gadgets are still slower than the film camera
under the same class. When you are hunting for your digital camera, check on two important variables- boot time and recycle time. Boot time refers to the amount of time required to start up your digital camera and be ready to take shots. On the other hand, recycle time is that element of speed of the digital camera to take a shot and circle off for another shot.

6. Camera Features That Make For Perfect Shots

One thing that we love about cameras using digital format is the point and shoot convenience. However, digital cameras require more than just pointing and pressing of the shutter control. You have to properly set the camera in the color, exposure and dynamic range settings. It is also important that your camera has red eye removal and panoramic shot capability.

7. Pick The Camera With The Best “Fit”

When you are buying your digital camera, it is essential that you get the one with the perfect “fit.” You should remember that style and ergonomics are not just vain considerations. These are variables that are as equally important as those technical considerations that we look for in our digital camera. The parameters include the camera grip or hold factor, weight, control logic and convenience, and taste and style preferences.

8. Act Like A Pro; Think Like a Pro

A professional wedding photographer knows that the distinction between two digital cameras goes beyond the MP count. In reality, a digital SLR with lower MP rating will be able to produce better quality pictures than a point & shoot camera with higher MP rating. The pixels are not created equal. Professional wedding photographer can look at resolution but must also include in the equation dynamic range of the digital camera. It is essential to evaluate the capabilities of your digital camera in capturing details within the dark backgrounds and bright highlights as these sets you apart as a professional wedding photographer from the pack of pretenders. It is important that you assess your requirements based on the type of lens and sensors of the digital camera that you will need in your wedding photography jobs. Larger sensors mean better performance under dim and limited light shooting conditions.

9. Focus on the System not on the Body

For the uninitiated, digital SLR camera are appreciated more on their form and body. Professional photographers, on the other look at the system. This simply means that being a professional means that you have a broader perspective when assessing the relevance and importance of your digital SLR camera. A professional wedding photographer will have to look at the system that include the body, compatible lenses, flash accessories, connecting cables,
equipment interface and a lot more critical components.

10. Cost Consideration

Before you set out to your camera hunting, it is important that you also have your established budget for the gadgets that will comprise your entry level kit as a professional wedding photographer. You have to maintain a balance between sound financial management and the acquisition of the appropriate digital cameras that meet your minimum requirements as a professional wedding photographer. You should not treat this as an expense but rather as a necessary investment. It is pointless to go cheap as far as your camera is concerned. If you want to get the best camera available then you should be ready and willing to make that investment.