When I teach photography around the country, I often get asked what lenses I use to shoot a wedding. You might be surprised to discover that I use the same three lenses to photograph everything I do. They have been called, “The Holy Trinity” of lenses because many photographers believe (as do I ) that these three lenses are all you need to cover just about any circumstance.
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L ll USM Zoom
“The Wide Angle”
This was the last lens that I added to my kit and it’s often used more than the others at weddings. The perfect reception lenses because of it’s ability to capture the whole scene in tight quarters, it’s also the lens I would let go if I could only carry two lenses. It’s very specialized in it’s use but what it does it does so well!
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens
“The Workhorse”
This is the lens that gets used the most. It’s the first one you pick up and the one lens you would carry if you could only carry one lens. Canon’s most popular lens with wedding and event professionals.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L is III USM Lens
“The Long White One”
The most expensive lens in the line-up and also the one that’s white. When you see photographers on the sidelines of a football game they always have these giant white lenses and it all starts with this one. I don’t know many canon professionals who don’t have this lens and I use it for weddings as well as headshots and portraits.
Check out the video at the top to see an explanation of when I use these lenses and how they affect my work!