You arrive at your photo shoot excited about the images you are about to take – that is, until you realize that you have left an important piece of equipment at home. You now will have to improvise, spend extra money or time to replace the item, or go without it for the shot.
One way to help remember everything for the best photo shoot is to make a checklist of needed items. The lists can vary by the type of shoot, but always include certain basics.

Following are some lists to get you started.
Wedding/Portraits

• Camera bodies
• Camera batteries (charged), including backups
• Camera plates
• Lenses (wide, mid-range and telephoto) with lens shades
• Filters (soft, star and other special effects)
• Film or CF cards
• Flashes
• Flash batteries (charged), including backups and/or battery pack
• Flash diffusers
• Flash synch cords
• Camera brackets
• Tripod
• Tripod head
• Stool/ladder
• Reflector/diffuser
• Business cards
• Tools (allen wrench, multi-function, blower, flashlight)
• Lens cleaner/cloth
• Props
• Light meter
• Camera and flash manuals
• Fanny pack

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