How to Carry Two Cameras at a Wedding

A wedding gives you one chance at most of its moments. The ring goes on once. The vows happen once. If you are changing lenses when it happens, you miss it. That is why so many wedding photographers work with two camera bodies. Here is how to set up two cameras, carry them through a ten or twelve hour day, and keep your back in one piece.

Why two bodies

Two cameras let you keep two focal lengths ready at all times. A common pairing is a wide or standard zoom on one body and a longer lens on the other. You can go from the whole room to a tight portrait of a grandmother's face in the time it takes to drop one camera and lift the other, with no lens swap and no dust on the sensor.

Set up the two cameras to work as a pair

A little prep the night before saves real trouble at the reception.

• Sync the clocks. Set both cameras to the same date and time, to the second. When you import, the images from both bodies will sort into the right order.
• Match your settings where you can, so switching bodies does not mean rethinking exposure.
• Charge and pack batteries for both, and carry spares where you can reach them without digging through a bag.
• Decide which lens lives on which side and keep it that way all day. Your hands will learn where to reach.

Ways to carry two cameras

There is more than one way to do this. Pick the one that suits your body, your gear and how much you move.

Two shoulder straps. The simplest setup: one camera on each shoulder, or one across the body and one on a shoulder. It works, but straps slip off shoulders, cross over each other and pull on your neck as the hours go on.

A dual camera harness. A harness carries both cameras at your sides at once and spreads the weight across your shoulders and back. Our founder, a wedding photographer, built the MoneyMaker because the straps he wore were uncomfortable and did not look right at a formal event.

What to look for in a harness

Whatever you choose, these details matter on a wedding day.

Where the cameras hang. A camera that hangs in front of your body pulls on your lower back. One that hangs straight down at your sides loads your shoulders. On a MoneyMaker worn correctly, with the straps about 4 inches below your armpits, the cameras hang just behind the middle of your body near your belt, and the weight moves to the broad, strong part of your back. Our sizing guide walks through the fit.

Shooting without unclipping. You should be able to lift the camera straight into shooting position and let it drop back. On the MoneyMaker, the camera slides up into position when you are ready to shoot.

Security. Your cameras are going to brush past stone steps, chairs and dance floors. On the Stock setup, the MoneyMaker uses three layers: a patented locking camera screw that threads into the tripod socket, a locking clip, and an optional safety strap from the clip to your camera's side strap lug, so the camera stays attached even if something else failed.

Noise. Ceremonies are quiet. Our Universal Mount option uses a slider with no metal shackle to clink, so it is silent. It is lighter than our stock connection too. It takes the anchors or clasps you already own, and camera connections are not included.

How it looks. You are working someone's most important day. Leather reads well with a suit or a dress, and it does not look like tactical gear. The MoneyMaker stays to the outside over your shoulders and does not cross your chest.

Dressing for the day

• Light clothing? If you wear white or light colors to most weddings, choose Bridle leather. Its underside is natural and uncolored, so it will not color your clothes. Water Buffalo can bleed color if it gets soaked and is worn against light clothing. Our leather guide covers the difference.
• Long hair? If your hair falls past your shoulders and you shoot with it down, order the Original MoneyMaker without D-rings so your hair does not catch. The Skinny MoneyMaker has D-rings set differently that do not catch hair.

Carrying lenses and small gear

• The Explorer Lens Quiver was designed around an arrow quiver: open and fast, for weddings and events where you need a lens now. It rides over the shoulder or attaches to your MoneyMaker with detachable sliders, and has a removable flap for when you want it covered.
• Sightseer Lens Pouches hold a lens each and fasten to your belt or to the Sightseer Lens Bag with a metal clip on the back.
• If you hang a heavy bag or heavy bodies on your harness all day, an HF Shoulder Pad adds width and padding to spread the load.

When you need both hands

Receiving lines, moving chairs, helping with a veil: some moments need both hands and still cameras that do not swing. A Belt Anchor clips to your belt and holds the camera in place until a quick pull on the leather tab frees it to shoot.

The end of the night

Take your cameras off before you take the harness off. When you get home, hang your harness up to air out instead of leaving it balled up in a bag, especially after a hot or rainy wedding. Our care guide has the rest.

Questions

Will a harness hurt my back over a long day?

A harness worn correctly should help. On a MoneyMaker sitting about 4 inches below your armpits, the cameras hang near your belt, just behind the middle of your body, and the weight moves to your upper back.

Is a camera harness loud during the ceremony?

Metal hardware can clink. Our Universal Mount option has no metal shackle and is silent.

Can I add a third camera?

Yes. On the Original MoneyMaker, two Camera Leashes on the front D-rings carry a third camera in the center. Order the 3 Camera Setup, or add a 3 Camera Conversion Kit later.

What if I mostly shoot with one camera?

The MoneyMaker Solo is a single camera, cross body version of the MoneyMaker, with a shoulder pad and Belt Anchor included.