Event-Ready Bags and Cases

You could lug your gear in white bags and cases to match a bridal theme, but, really, there’s no such thing as wedding-specific photo luggage. Even among birds of a feather, you’ll find those who prefer standard-issue shoulder bags, photo backpacks, sling and holster-style bags, or  hard cases, all of which are readily available from companies including  Tenba, Lowepro, Tamrac, Domke, Porta Brace, Pelican, and HPRC.

When shopping for shoulder bags, photo backpacks, and hard cases, you’re going to want a bag or case that can hold two to three camera bodies and at least four to five lenses, and if you’re not packing them separately, one or more flashguns, meters, battery packs and other related accessories. Regardless of your personal preferences for shouldering photo gear, you’re going to want to have a bag with padded, easy-access pouches and pockets to facilitate changing lenses and swapping batteries and memory cards with the least amount of fumbling. And do keep in mind, if you’re like most photographers, you’re invariably going to be tossing last-minute doodads into your bag, which means you should consider a bag one size up from the one you think is big enough. 

In addition to ample, easily-accessible body and lens compartments, you’re going to want a bag with a comfortable, non-slip strap, as well as lids and pocket covers that not only open and close easily, but protect your gear from bumps and nasty weather when zipped up for transit.

Sling and holster-style bags require less scrutiny mostly because they are designed specifically to carry a camera and lens and not much more. As such, choosing the best sling or holster case for your needs is mostly a matter of stylistic and manufacturer preferences.

As for hard cases and photo backpacks, these two categories of camera bags and cases are designed primarily for getting your photo gear from point A to point B and back safely and securely. You should consider the number of cameras, lenses and assorted accessories you plan on packing into each case or bag before hitting the Buy Now button.

There are, however, a number of bags and cases that lend themselves particularly to wedding photography, such as rolling cases (aka “wheelies”), which make transporting bulky lighting and photo gear easier and far more tolerable than shoulder-borne bags and cases.

If you plan on flying with your gear you should be aware of TSA regulations, and be advised that most TSA standards are based on the size of overhead bins found on larger aircraft. If your job takes you to locales serviced only by smaller aircraft, you may have to check your precious cargo regardless of what your camera bag’s hangtag says. In such instances, hard (rolling) cases can save the day.

Rolling cases are available in a huge selection of shapes and sizes, including rolling backpacks, soft-sided wheelies and injection-molded hard cases, which are both watertight and strong enough to withstand the wrath of airline baggage handlers while keeping their contents safe. Rolling camera and lighting-gear cases with padded or divided interior spaces are manufactured by Tenba, Tamrac, Porter, Pelican, Lightware, Lowepro and HPRC,to name a few. For those who prefer the option of strapping their gear onto their backs, B&H also stocks a number of backpack-style wheelies that offer you the option of rolling or hoisting  your gear.  

Note: Many of the abovementioned camera cases, bags and backpacks are available with padded slots for laptops and tablets.

If your current lighting system wasn’t supplied with a dedicated travel case, you might want to consider a Tenba PAT Padded Armored TriPak. Available in 44”and 50” lengths, what makes Tenba PAT TriPaks unique is that unlike open pit style light stand and tripod cases,  when you unzip the Tenba PAT TriPak’s hexagonal, reinforced and padded outer skin, it reveals inner walls covered with slots and  pouches for stands, telescopic booms, clamps, tripods and other grip-related doodads. Instead of chaos, Tenba’s PAT-series TriPaks are organized in a manner that makes it easy to quickly find what you need. Equally important is that when you pack up at the end of a long day it’s easy to spot missing stands, etc, by their empty slots.

Not all bags and cases—including the ones you might already own—are available with wheels, and to lessen the load of heavier cases and bags, we also stock a large selection of folding carts and hand trucks from companies including Remin, MultiCart, Travel Smart (including one model that doubles as a step stool!), Ultimate Support, Clipper, Wesco, and Odyssey Innovative Designs.

Your back—and your assistant’s back—will thank you.

Do you have a favorite bag or case that goes with you to every wedding you photograph? Feel free to tell us about it, or ask questions about others, in the Comments section below.