I happily ordered a new backup body, another 5d Mark II, a few weeks ago and eve more happily crossed off one of my 101 in 1001 goals! It was such a great feeling knowing that my backup body was the same body that I used on the wedding day. What a relief knowing that if anything happened to my main camera, I'd have another waiting in the wings. What I didn't realize was that would be put to the test at my very first wedding of 2012! Right as I walked out of our hotel room, my two bodies collided every so slightly but at just the right angle. I didn't think anything of it and proceeded up stairs to the bridal suite. But when I went to photograph the suite sign I noticed something that made my heart drop to the floor. A giant crack on my LCD screen.
I started to internally panic, thank goodness the bride wasn't there because I had few minutes of freak out as I ran around the room trying to figure out what to do. Thankfully I remembered that I had two working bodies and immediately started photographing the details with my second body, which I had purchased for this exact reason! When my second shooter arrived, she took over and I tested out my camera to make sure it still worked. Luckily it did and I could use both cameras through out the day. But believe you me, I learned my lesson.
I've often heard people talk about making sure you have backup equipment. And if you don't own it, you should rent it. I've always believed them, but since I've never had a problem, I never gave it a second thought. But after this past Saturday I realized that it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. Your equipment is going to fail and you need to be prepared for it. You cannot stay to your bride, I can't photograph your wedding because I damaged my camera. You just can't.
So learn a lesson from me. If you don't have the funds to purchase a new camera body, then rent one. Always make sure that you have two. Because you never know what will happen. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.
Thankfully this story has a happy ending. I was able to photograph the wedding and I've sent my camera off to Canon to be taken care of. I'm happy knowing that I made the investment in my business and for my brides.
