THE FILMMAKER
HANNAH KENNEDY
CHESHIRE, UK
As I type this, sitting on the shelf behind me are my Canon IXUS 50 and Canon 30D. The cameras that led me onto the path of becoming a wedding filmmaker, even if I didn’t know it at the time!
Back then, even though I was studying filmmaking at university, photography was my hobby and eventually became my career. Then I turned the dial on my camera (at that time, a Canon 5D Mark IV), started hitting the record button instead of the shutter, and never looked back.
Nowadays I shoot on Sony, but my philosophy is still the same as when I photographed weddings. I want a setup that is light, discreet and means I can move around easily.
My kit isn’t particularly fancy or over the top. Everything I need, plus backups, fits in one rucksack and a tripod bag. I want lenses and cameras that I know inside out, that are reliable and that allow me to shoot without sticking out like a sore thumb. Basically, I want to be able to forget about my equipment and just concentrate on what’s in front of me.
I spend most of the day with one handheld camera. For me, it’s always moments over movement. I’ve got no interest in fighting with a gimbal; I just want to be able to turn and point my camera at the emotion.
My philosophy is people first, always. I want viewers to be caught up in the story instead of being distracted by camera movements or awed by an insane drone shot. Much as my ego would like them to be wowed, of course, it’s far more important to me to find the right balance between story and shots.
Over the years, I think I’ve worked my way through most camera brands. Starting with Nikon at college, then shooting Canon before moving to Fuji, back to Canon and finally settling on Sony.
I still get a little niggle now and then, wondering what the Canons are like for filming. You really can’t beat Canon colours, but I like that I know the Sonys inside out, and I’m pretty settled with my setup. For now, anyway!
A-CAM
SONY A7S III
PRIMARY HANDHELD CAMERA
The Sony A7S III is the newest addition to my kit, but what a mighty little camera it is.
Whilst I love how compact the FX30 is, I still can’t shake the photographer mentality of using the viewfinder, so the Sony A7S III just wins out there.
I don’t use any cages or monitors. I want the camera to be as stripped back and light as possible.
As I add more ambient audio to my films, I’ve been considering getting a small external microphone to sit on top, but at the same time I’m reluctant to take away from the tiny footprint. It’s something I need to look into and try, though, so let’s see!
B & C CAMS
SONY A7 IV
QTY: 2
For years, a Sony A7 IV was my main camera, with two A7 III bodies as my B and C cameras.
When I upgraded to the Sony A7S III, and started shooting in S-Log3, I sold the A7 III bodies, bought another Sony A7 IV, and they became my B and C cameras.
These are still great cameras, and I like knowing that if the worst were to happen and something went wrong with the Sony A7S III, I could pick up one of the A7 IV bodies and carry on shooting seamlessly.
LENSES
SONY 55MM F1.8
PRIMARY A-CAM LENS
My go-to. The Sony 55mm f1.8 sits on my A-Cam pretty much all day.
I love the simplicity of using one lens. I’m so used to it that I know whether I need to take a step backwards or forwards to get the shot I want.
There is a real joy in not having to think about lens choice. It means I can completely focus on what’s in front of me.
Funnily enough, the Sony 55mm f1.8 is a lens I rarely used for photography, but now I love how I can stay far enough back that I’m not right up in guests’ faces, yet I’m still close enough to capture emotions.
SONY 85MM F1.8
CHURCHES, SPEECHES & CAMERA-AWARE GUESTS
The Sony 85mm f1.8 used to stay on my camera all day until I switched it out for the 55mm.
Now I’ll use the Sony 85mm f1.8 if I’m at the back of a church or want a little extra reach during the speeches.
It’s also great if you’ve got a particularly camera-aware group of guests. Sometimes taking that extra step back means you can capture more without people turning to pose for you or immediately stopping laughing the moment they spot the camera.
SONY 35MM F1.8
B-CAM LENS
The Sony 35mm f1.8 is my B-Cam lens, although I am considering switching it for the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM.
I hired one recently, and it’s a wonderful piece of kit. I loved the ease of zooming in and out to get the perfect extra angle during the ceremony and speeches.
For now, though, the Sony 35mm f1.8 is absolutely great for wide angles during speeches or the ceremony.
SONY 28MM F2
BACKUP LENS
A backup lens. It is very rarely used, and if I do put it on my C-Cam, I tend to crop in so it is basically a 35mm.
SUPER 8
CHINON 723XL & CANON 518
Nostalgia and character
I absolutely adore these cameras. I love the feel of them, the noise they make and how cool I feel when I hold them…
We had our own wedding filmed on Super 8, and I still love watching it back. You just can’t beat the character and nostalgia of film.
I use them very sparingly on a wedding day. I don’t want the footage to feel like a gimmick, but rather to add something special to the final film.
CAMCORDER
DIGITAL CAMCORDER
GUEST-OPERATED CAMERA
Would I be a videographer in 2026 if I hadn’t added one of these to my bag?!
Again, used sparingly, these can be a great addition to the film, but it is mainly a bit of fun for the guests and the couple.
I hand it out to their friends and then give the couple everything that has been filmed.
DRONE
DJI MINI 3 PRO
ESTABLISHING SHOTS
We all know the DJI Mini 3 Pro, right?
I’m not a huge fan of flying the drone. I live in terror of taking out a small plane or paraglider…
But couples like it, and establishing drone shots can make for some great scene-setting.
AUDIO
SONY TX650 / TX660
QTY: 8
I don’t think the Sony TX650 and TX660 recorders need much explanation.
Yes, there are far higher-quality audio recorders available, but I want something I can attach to someone and they’ll simply forget it is there.
There’s a reason they are in nearly every wedding videographer’s bag.
MICMAGS
MAGNETIC MOUNTS FOR SONY TX RECORDERS
LOVE these. Just the best addition to a Sony TX recorder ever.
ROODOGS / DOGHOUSE / MIC SLEEVES
SONY TX ACCESSORIES
I know the DogHouse fits all of my Sony TX recorders, so it’s easy to check at a glance that I haven’t left one attached to a registrar!
The RooDogs are brilliant for outdoor ceremonies, and the microphone sleeves are invaluable.
I have one sleeve for attaching a recorder to a standard handheld microphone and another for church lecterns.
POWER
CAMERA BATTERIES
QTY: 9
You can never have enough batteries!
ACCESSORIES
ULANZI COOLING FAN
HOT-WEATHER CAMERA COOLING
A godsend during the Great 2026 Heatwave.
WEDDING-DAY ESSENTIALS
STAIN REMOVER • LOOPS • LIP BALM • SCISSORS • HARIBO • WATER BOTTLE
All the essentials!
SPARE GLASSES
PERSONAL BACKUP
An absolute must when you’re as short-sighted as I am!
