What kit should you take to an event shoot?
Choose the type of event, whether it is indoors or outdoors and how long you will be working. You get a tickable checklist of cameras, flash, power, storage, support, admin, comfort and backup, with battery and card numbers to match.
How the tool works
The list changes with your choices. Indoor events add flash and a fast prime for dim rooms, outdoor events add a rain cover and a telephoto lens, and sports and music events add a longer lens and fast cards. Longer days increase the number of spare batteries and cards.
The battery and card numbers are a rough starting point, not a rule. Battery life varies a great deal between cameras, and file sizes depend on your settings, so adjust the figures for your own gear. A second body or a dependable backup is worth bringing wherever the moment cannot be repeated.
Tick items as you pack and the counter shows your progress. Copy list gives you plain text, with ticked items marked, to paste into notes. This is a general list. Check the venue, the photo rules and any accreditation for the event yourself.
Questions
How many batteries and cards should I bring?
It depends on your camera and settings. The list starts at two of each for a short job and goes up for longer days and fast-action events. Change the numbers to suit your own kit.
Do I need two camera bodies?
It is not a rule, but a second body or a reliable backup means a failure does not end the job.
Is flash allowed at every event?
No. Many stage events and some venues ban flash, so ask the organiser beforehand.
More photography tools: Event photography shoot brief builder, Event shot list generator, Photo storage calculator, Landscape photography packing list