I Shot a Wedding With Only ONE Lens and This Is What Happened 

Yesterday was extremely fun and rewarding shooting with only 1 lens. Have any of you ever done this? - Will

When I saw this video it made me smile... I have been in photography a long time... 40 years ago, yes that long ago I was 23. I did weddings, and I did them with one lens and many times only one camera... Mamiya C330, C220 or Kowa Six or gosh forbid a 35mm canon or olympus film camera! Unheard of! As time progressed I have wondered what happened to those days when we only used one lens because almost no one talks about doing this! I enjoyed this video and honestly it got me to subscribe to your channel... thanks!

"The moments between the moments"; what a great take home lesson. Thank you. You just opened my eyes. And I bet it is true in other types of photography.

Mate, you’re an absolute legend for this. It’s so true everything you say. Some of the most skilled photographers of all time used one focal length and because they knew it so well it freed them to concentrate on the moment. Great work - keep it up! 👍👍

Thanks for this video. I’m shooting my first wedding in four days, and I was looking for some inspiration; I found it. I don’t have a ton of gear or a second photographer to come with me and hearing you talk about simplifying and just focusing on moments really is encouraging. Thanks again. 💛

So true man. Not just for weddings. What you said here aplies to every kind of photography there is. Most famous masters of photography used one camera and one lens for most of their work. With some variations. Not thinking about gear and using what you have in your hands is such a liberating feeling. It helps to stay present in the moment and see. It's still a ballsy move for a professional photographer on a paid gig.☺ well done.

Excellent video! I'm not a professional photographer. Just an amateur enthusiast who loves his Z6 by the way. 🙂 I attended a friends wedding a while back and decided to bring my camera. I didn't want to get in the photographers way so I decided to mostly photograph the guests enjoying the wedding. When I gave my pics to the couple they were thrilled to see them because they were so busy being told to go here and do this or that, that they missed most of what I captured. This video reminded me of that day. Capturing the moments matters...

Brilliant stuff mate!! I got myself a Z6 recently, so the amount of info I get on your channel about the camera is really nice. Also, from the little I have seen of your wedding shots, you guys are doing an amazing job...

"The moments between the moments" is a very valuable distinction. Thank you for sharing this :-)

You don't need to give out magic tips your enthusiasm is an inspiration to go out and find the moments ourselves. Thank you it's just what I needed

Your content is consistent and believable, and that's why I love your channel. Keep up the good work. 👍

Love the unfiltered honesty “F that, F all of that” awesome awesome inspirational content. Thanks for the “secret sauce”

Thanks Wil for your honesty. I shot a wedding Friday using mostly the 50 1.8 s lens. I had to use my 24-25 2.0 Sigma art lens for putting on dress photos because of tight quarters. But I love simplicity of the 50 1.8 lens and freeing up creativity. I get you!!!

The best video I have seen in a long time. I usually use a 55mm Zeiss as my primary lens, but recently I got the idea of ​​buying a 28-75 which, honestly, I don't think I need. I have learned to live with what for me is the perfect triad at Sony which is a 28mm, my beloved 55mm and 85mm. Thank you for confirming that the important thing is the vision rather than the equipment, greetings!

Great to have a collection of videos that don’t have a goal to sell something. Thanks for sharing your honest experiences. Peace.

Thank you for this inspiring words to reduce photography to its origin, my friend! That’s what’s all about. I am a non-professional photographer, enjoying photography as an art to show the world from another perspective. Your’re able to create magic in still images using a minimum of equipment, although the whole world is obsessed with moving image content. Kind regards from Germany.

This is so genuine and I totally agree. I’ve been shooting with one lens for over 20 years also whenever I can I get in close.

I don't shoot weddings, just landscape and wildlife, but I feel the ideas and concepts that you share apply to all photography. The Z 6, 50mm 1.8 S and a 200-500mm is my go to combo now, everything else has been getting left at home or in the bag. The only other things that go with me are a tripod, some filters, extra batteries and a remote release.

Absolutely agree! I love your "moments between the moments". A perfect description of what makes a breathtaking image. A recent client told me that I was hired BECAUSE I don't carry a ton of gear and spend my time changing equipment around. Thanks so much!

Amazing advice about staying focused, without tunnel vision. shoot with a 50mm but look and see what's happening around you. the bride and groom do not need 1000 photos of them, they want those special candid moments of family and friends... Thank you for reminding us of this

This was first I've seen on your channel, this is such an amazing message. This is great, thank you.

Great food for thought, many thanks. Will try this in my next wedding end of this week!

Hi Will, I shot every assignment for my college course on one lens - I achieved my qualification with triple distinction!

Brand new to the channel and MAN, have I struck gold with you! While I'm mainly a wedding filmmaker, I just started taking photos for weddings as well. I JUST bought the Z6 and I think that's what led me to your channel.

Just discovered your channel! LOVE your philosophy to photography 😁❤ Over the last couple years, I've more and more moved away from being interested in highly composed & bokeh obsessed portrait shots. Candids are always the most appealing to me now. They mean the most for people when they look back at the photos in years to come; just to be able to relive the moment again. I also just sold my 70D and sigma 18-35 & 50-100 f1.8 lenses. As great as the glass was I hated changing lenses and they were sooo heavy that I never had motivation to shoot. I'm looking at picking up the A7iii and 55 1.8 and just seeing what I can do with that itself and only add lenses when I feel I need them. I actually was considering something like the Ricoh gr iii; purely because of the size and the ability to be more discreet.

Just checked out your site. The slideshow and the music... dude, spot on. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Gorgeous work. Bravo!

Excellent video, so true so focused. My combo is 35mm 1.8 on one camera and 85mm on the other, pretty much that's all

I’ve shot a wedding two weeks ago only with a D700 and a 50mm 1.8G Most consistent wedding I’ve done so far

Excellent message - immersion into the event is how to spy out the special moments and the less gear the better.

Dynamite take on the idea of vision, being in the moment and keeping the rhythm alive... Photography is Zen-Like in so many ways and one lens tuned into the moment works when capturing a wedding, on the streets, in the wild or around the world. Ansel Adams once said: "The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it.” Your advice likewise rings true for me and I appreciate the hard work you put in.

I have used a 35mm and 50mm lens for weddings in the past. Two cameras and positive energy can't be beat.

First video I see from this channel, but it was so refreshing and it felt like you had a real career insight with this wedding.

Hey! We are fresh in the game, and I’ve shot multiple events with just one 50mm f1.8 and an a6000. My team usually has 2 people at a single event tho so we have 2 cameras total. For weddings, we go full frame rentals for now.

Great video Will! I mostly shoot a wedding with a 35mm and bust out a 100mm macro during portrait session because I'm a sucker for really tight crops.

3:20 Brother, that is the truest and most liberating advice you could give anyone. Being in the moment, either as a part of it, or documenting it, IS where the magic lives. Maybe it's an age thing ( I look about your vintage :) ) but life experience will put into perspective the things that really matter and distill things down to THAT moment. You earned a sub, and a respectful follower. All the best success friend.

Fantastic feeling isn't it. That sense of freedom you get and amazingly how much more diverse you become. The closest I've come to this is using the 85mm 1.4g and the 24 to 70mm as a backup on my other camera . I don't know why but I've never just trusted having a 85 and 35mm or 50 and 24mm combo. I always like that zoom just in case. Anyway, excellent video, now get on with that editing.

I agree 100% More gear won’t make you a better photographer. Being creative with the gear you’ve already got is the key to being a great photographer.

A week ago I was successful covering a wedding with my 28mm 1.4E and was blownout. I did portraits on a DX mode which makes it 42mm. This specific 28mm 1.4E is anazing at how it keeps the frame shallow and gives you a 3D feel to the subject. I did snap my 135mm 1.8 Art for few portraits but my 28mm was on my camera 99% of the time.

Hi! Discovered your channel recently and it's great. Simple and good stuff man, keep going. This video reminds me of one from Taylor Jackson using only an 85mm to shoot a whole wedding. I believed it was just balls and it blew me more than C4, and you just prove the same with a "boring" 50mm. This is what I needed to hear and what we should all tend to. Not universal, but it sure demonstrates that what you need most is your eyes and what's behind.

Superb video! Just found your channel mate.......really good stuff and thoroughly enjoying it.

You are so right regarding simplification, and the one lens can work, for a portrait session. But for a wedding, I think it should be more like a two-person team. Shooter "A" uses only a 35mm, and Shooter "B" uses an 85mm. Focal length used here are examples not law could be 50mm and 105 or any combo really.

Brilliant - not a ramble at all. I totally needed to hear this.... Thank you!

Awesome man! I did the same thing a month ago and the pictures came out beautiful..with my nikon d4s and my 85mm f1.4 that was all I need..I always watch your videos great work

Love the 50mm.Before you revealed that it was with a "50", I thought that the 50 always shines. My favorite set-up is my Nikon D700 with 50mm 1.8D.In B&W, of course.

love the video. . .the truth is equipment is nothing without us and thats what makes us unique...so many only have the equipment but no eye or perception. . .and no equipment can fix that...what made me fall in love with photo/video was the fact that you capture moments its fucking magical ha...time travel if you will. . .that one second/frame captured forever mentally and physically. . .and well how do you teach that. . .life ha. . .some lessons only life can teach you. . .thats why theyre hard to explain. . .but thank you that was great and actually helped me realize i need to chill a bit. . .and focus on my best feature...capturing moments...

awesome inspiring words here!! just found your channel a day or two ago, your vids that i have watched so far are solid / valuable input!! 💪🏼💪🏼👍🏼 🙏🏼🙏🏼thank you🫵🏼 & im looking forward to going thru your other vids!!

Awesome lesson, would love to see the wedding that you are talking about so if you were willing to link some of the images when done would be great. Cheers once again, 🙌🏽

I haven’t shot a wedding with one lens but I have shot a Sweet Sixteen Party with a Nikon D700 and a Nikon 50mm 1.8 G It worked great!👍

Since 3 months a switched from shooting with nikon 18-140mm to 35mm 1.8. Yes you will learn a lot and a lot. At the beginning i was afraid that i will need the zoom and i will fail all photos, but the result was fantastic, all my photos are great, outstanding result.

Great video! Just like the old greats, Frank, Capra, etc. Simple shots with a simple setup and a keen eye.

I very much like this philosophy of the true, simple and authentic. Of the presence and focus. Thank you.

This was a refreshing perspective.. thanks for sharing man

Good to hear. I agree with the 'moments in the moments' thing, I was going to ask if after the shoot you felt 50mm was the right choice, or was your presence 'being felt' with a 50mm? (Also I'm guessing you were 50mm with FF and not crop)... Some things that come to my mind are; 1) It might be that the majority of a wedding (90%) can be done with 50mm, but perhaps by choosing the use the 50mm you are risking some experiences and shots due to being required to be in too close for some shots? Such as ceremony, rings, the kiss etc. And then there is the large group shot where (depending upon numbers) a 50mm might be too tight? My point being, are you being somewhat 'selfish' by choosing just one prime because it pleases YOU but is not ideal for the client? (Just to be clear, I'm not saying you're selfish, I am playing devils advocate and sometimes think our photography pursuits can be quite self serving and in the process we neglect the client). 2) Having done it once, would you do it again with a different focal length? 3) Having shot a few weddings I can see similarities across the day. I could see myself following in your footsteps but compartmentalising a little. "This part of the day here (ceremony) will require something a little longer to not be too in the face of the proceedings (being respectful), but after that time its prime land for the rest of the day etc", I'm curious to know if there were genuinely moments you felt "damn... I wish I had something longer for this moment, to capture that moment over there" etc. I get that photography is a battle of wins and losses, and definitely lens swapping and having too much gear can be a major strike against you in the losses, it sounds like you felt overall you got more wins and was down to focus and intently being in the moment, I just question if that was purely down to a single 50mm prime. A second camera with another prime (like your 24mm) might have been acceptable to being used every now and then. I am thinking about replacing one of my cameras with a Ricoh GRIII (which gives a 28mm FF FoV), just so that I can carry the weight of only one camera and one prime, yet having something so light and unobtrusive tethered to be for those moments that also benefit from a different perspective. I think being light on your feet and having less stuff to carry really cannot echo enough for allowing for better photography that day.

Hmm, I felt every word to the core of my bones. I have been swallowed up by gears collection lately that I forgot about the moments and joy of photography. Thank you and God bless.

I've thought about that too and about 3/4 of a wedding day I walk around with just a 85 F1.8 & 35 F1.4 and it feels great. But during a ceremony, church or any setting with people gathered around, a large crowd with people reacting and something happening in the middle of front of it.... I just can not NOT grab my 70-200. Especially, like you keep saying, for those moments between moments. A intimate moment between father and bride, or a baby yawing.... when you're halfway across the room or venue.. if you're sprinting from place to place because you only have one 35 or 50mm to shoot with... and can't get that close-up.. that just breaks the whole idea of candid shots.. running around and getting into people's faces.

Thank you so so much for the wonderful eye opener. Could you please share a link to the lovely images that you captured at this wedding. Thanks and wish you good luck. Subscribed !!

Great and almost enlightening thoughts. Thanks for sharing them.

I've actually done this - I'd seen a NY photographer use just a 35mm. I did it for a couple who are my friends. I didn't want to shoot the wedding but agreed to do it using one lens and to deliver it in B&W. I actually enjoyed the whole experience and they loved their images. I actually have only ever shot a few weddings and never liked doing them. I'm a event hybrid shooter and that is my bread and butter. It did make me think tho.

Well said ... "Great Photography is all about the moments within the moments " .... 😍👍

That's awesome man! Feel free to share the link to the gallery. I get so inspired when people use less for weddings. I know some documentary style photographers that just use a 27mm f2

Thanks! I love the one lens challenge and I believe in less is more. 99% of the time I never have more than 3 lenses (35, 50 and 75) and most of the time the 35mm or 50mm is enough. As for weddings a 35mm and a 75mm will do but I guess I could handle using a 50mm only. Inspiration is everything

Amazing content..I shoot with oNE lens and RAW/JPEG,and I keep my flow simple...We have to understand that even though there are so many choices,we do not have to choose any of them...

I agree, more often than not, acquiring gear is actually more of a desire to experience 'having and using' that gear , but not actually a necessity to capture the moment. Minimum gear makes you free....and thats a good thing.

Best video on photography on RU-vid! Thank you!

For me a fixed 35mm lens is the best except for bird photography (70-300mm). Sometimes restriction forces you to be better. Zoom gives you too many options and distraction so you have less focus.

Dude, this video is gold. Great advice.

Very good and true. Follow the events, Anticipate, view the unfolding events through the viewfinder, keeping the composition and focus and press the shutter whenever felt like. That's good. At around 4 minutes into the video, the emphasis that don't try to dramatise the background (sky etc)or some other elements in the frame is welcome. Very nice expression and 'lesson'..... Just one lens will do most of the time. Lot more to say, but better I rest with this.

I do it very often. Z6 & D750 and Sigma Art 35 f1.4, with a very little splash of nikkor 85 1.8 or 50 1.8. I love being so quick. I don't have to think of which lens I should use. And this improve my photography constantly!

ive been shooting weddings for 3 years with only 1 lens harhar 50mm 1.8g

Shooting my wedding with one lens only especially with the 50 mm, it may would be a lots of fun and would simplify things for sure but it's like doing a 50 lap race with 1 set of tire. It can be done of course that's not a question but I would miss a lots of shoot what the 50 can't do, does not matter how much closer I getting with my feet. For longer distance shoots which I do a lot especially in the church and on the bridal portrait session the 70-200 mm essential focal length for me. At the dance I would not be able to do wide angle shots with the 50mm, this is also very important. And this is apply to most of my weddings. I wish it would be suitable for me.

One of the best photography videos about minimum gear and using yourself to get the shots.....love this view as I share the same opinion. Am brand new but knew 4 lenses for a shoot was ridiculous. I extensively use just my kit lens at the moment and despite of the many nay sayers come out with amazing quality and awesome photos...next up is Mastering the 50mm. Many say master the camera and I fully believe you need to master your lens before you upgrade.

Couldn’t agree more. I have 6 lenses and always bring them when there is a wedding job. but in fact I only often use 2 lenses, and starting in 2019 I only used 2 lenses, Nikkor AFD 50mm F1.4 on my main camera Nikon D3S and 24-70mm f2.8 on my second body Nikon D700 and i love it, i like simple things.

Wow! Thank you for this!

great! one lens is the best. i use z6 with 50/ 1.8 and can almost do everything with it. not thinking just work. i have 24-70 in the bag if needed, but seldom use it. the Bresson way! im not a Bresson:) but i like to learn the camera and use one lens, and its always about the desicive moments and not about gear. imo.

Excellent video! Gracias!

Back in the 1960s I only had one lens and I shot my first wedding for a friend with just a 50mm f2.0 lens Like many togs back then it was the only lens I could afford. And through the decades of new cameras I always had the 50mm attached it wasn’t until 1980 I purchased a additional focal length lens a Canon FD 28mm f2.8 wide angle. Happy days and memories. I still go out with one focal lengths on occasions it’s a great discipline 😊👍

Good stuff, it would have been great if you shared some pics. Thanks.

Your VDO's are honest, fantastic & very informative. Would have loved to see your shot wedding images with 50mm lens between the narration. It might break the constant frame in my suggestion. Inserting wedding images would definitely increase your editing job but might help photographer friends immensely in understanding finer details. I am not in anyways doubting your knowledge & experience. Appreciate your kind efforts & hardwork in VDO presentation. Thankyou Sir. 🙏 🙏 🙏

You're right Sir Moments in moments

You answered to my questions. Still one question.. is it nikkor 35mm 1.8 S lens good enough for my z6 to do wedding day? I have also 24-70 f4. Please if you can give me the answer. Thanks a lot. Keep it direct and simple.

That's the video that made me hit the subscribe button. Well done.

I had to shoot one last year with 1 lens. It was the Zeiss 55mm f1.8, it was fun and of course there were moments I wished I had another option but it was doable and I know I'd be able to do it again in a pinch

Took a 35mm on a D7000 to India and Nepal. Didn't feel I was missing out in any way, shape or form. Loved what I came back with.

10 seconds into video and he needs a drink. That's nothing I shot a wedding with one picture.

Thank you, your words resonate with something that i have been trying to follow all the time - focus, be in the moment, cut the crap. Brilliant! This reminds me of Morten Hilmer's videos about birds shooting, - he's a great wildlife photographer and operates on completely different gears than you do during your weddings sessions, but the message is absolutely the same - shut up and look around

Well said, but in the weddings i do, couples expect a big group shot of all the guests after the ceremony. I actually like this shot it’s great for the album. and there is zero chance i can get 100 or so people on a 50mm even a 35mm is impossible. For me i need my 24mm. I think also getting establishing shots of the environment is another story telling element, and find getting those establishing shots much easier on a wider lens. But hats off to you bro. I think minimalist is the way to go definitely helps with run and gun weddings.

Thank You Sir!!!

I did 3 weddings just with my 35mm f1.4 and it's was okay! :-) just that sometimes I missed a 50mm or 85mm for close up portraits...

“Get in the moment“

Totally 👍.. thinking in doing a small event with a prime, and hybrid photo and some video clips…thanks¡!

Would be nice if you included in this video those shots “moments between the moments “, or if it not possible now, maybe a link to the gallery of that wedding 👍

Excellent, I feel the same way about wildlife photography. Just get in the moment, do not be so tired carrying around all this gear.

sounds Great!. those ideas sound like how Kevin Mullens shoots weddings.

With the 50 do you often shoot planning to crop?

There's an increasing number of wedding photogs coming to this sort of conclusion from what I've seen. Kevin Mullins with his Fuji gear was one of the early ones who seemed to prefer small and simple and concentrate on the candid milliseconds/emotions.

So weddings are not my main business but I second shoot quite often. I use a D800. I've got on this weekend and think I'm just going to use the 50mm 1.8G. I wasn't planning to keep the images, just hand over the SD card. But I think what I might to is save black & white JPEGs to the CF card and see how those come out, just for fun! :-)

I have new Z6 and I'm trying to do a new dual lens setup, I do mostly filming and the 35mm is my favorite focal length. So should I get the Z Mount 35mm & 85mm or should I do more of a 24mm & 50mm Z Mount? I was planning on the 35/85, but this video is giving me a tough time deciding now haha!

Brilliant

I am just a beginner. Even after watching the whole video I could not specifically get what camera and what lens you used. can anyone specify

I’m curious what AF setting you are using for one person vs 2 people vs large group of maybe 40 people