Gear Up with MPB: An Interview with Chris Denner

Discover Quality Gear with MPB

At Way Up North, we’re thrilled to partner with MPB, the go-to platform for buying, selling, and trading used photography and videography gear. Whether you’re just starting your journey or are a seasoned professional, MPB makes it easy to access quality equipment for less and painlessly sell much-loved equipment when you’re ready to upgrade.

In this interview, we sit down with past Way Up North presenter Chris Denner, a wedding photographer known for his vibrant and playful approach. Chris’s insights into the gear he depends on not only highlight the tools that help him capture unforgettable moments but also emphasize the importance of upgrading equipment when necessary—something MPB facilitates seamlessly.

Meet Chris Denner: A Wedding Photographer Redefining Playfulness and Creativity

Q: How long have you been a wedding photographer?
A: 25 years now. Started straight from college at a portrait studio, using medium format cameras, film, and developing everything ourselves. It was tough. Manual lenses that were heavy and cumbersome, and the transition to digital was shaky to say the least as we were using Phase1 backs on the cameras instead of film. I love my kit now in comparison.

Q: Would you say you now have the ‘perfect’ kit bag for weddings? How long has it taken you to get here?
A: Not really, I doubt I ever will. I have very eclectic kit bags, full of stuff, junk, and weird bits, and I usually take three kit bags to a wedding. One is the bulk of the kit, lens and bodies, etc. One is all lighting stuff, and another is a grab bag that’s on me at all times filled with useful stuff. More on that below. My kit is built around opportunity, giving myself the tools to be creative through lens or lighting.

What are the pieces of gear you currently depend on for weddings? Are there any you couldn’t live without?
A:

• Main bag:
  • DJI drone
  • 3 x Sony A9ii
  • Tamron 35-150mm
  • Sony G 16-35mm
  • Sony G 35mm
  • Batis 25mm
  • Sony 55mm
  • Sigma Art 85mm
  • Laptop, power packs, batteries, etc.
• Flash bag:
  • 2 x Rotolight Neo
  • Godox V1 with a variety of mods (usually I use grids with bounced flash)
  • 2 x Godox AD200
  • 2 x Manfrotto Nanostands
  • Godox nano trigger
  • Metz light panel
• Grab bag:
  • Godox AD100 with nano and diffuser
  • 1 x Rotolight Neo
  • Various prisms, mirrors, homemade junk
  • Insta red 360 camera
  • 2 x lube cubes
  • 2 x refectalens filters

ATM I’m loving my wide-angle stuff and I’m really getting into the action constantly. I don’t have any loyalty to primes or zooms; I constantly swap lenses to give me the largest variety of creative options during the day.

Q: Could you explain the differences between your main bag, flash bag, and grab bag? What specific pieces of gear do you particularly favor in each, and why are they essential to your workflow?
A: Main is just that—my main bag. The heaviest objects are carried in it, like items only needed at specific times of the day (e.g., a drone for venue shots or couple portraits). My laptop stays in this bag too, as I work on photos during the food service. It’s where I store all cameras and lenses, making it easy to check everything at the end of the day. My main bag is a Lowepro backpack—couldn’t tell you which one, as I’ve had it for ten years.

The flash bag contains all my lighting gear, so I always know where it is. It’s just equipment to control and shape light, and I separate it so both myself and assistants know where everything is. This bag is a WANDRD ROGUE Sling 3L.

The grab bag holds gear that’s always with me. I shoot with two cameras—one with a wide-angle lens (usually my Sony 16-35mm) on a spider clip for mobility, and the other with a telephoto lens (usually a Sigma Art 85mm) on a strap, as I don’t need as much freedom with the longer lens. The grab bag also holds light-shaping gear (LED/flash) that I can quickly access when far from my main or flash bag. It’s saved me countless times and allows for spontaneous creativity. Recently, I used it for a bride walking down a dark castle staircase—I set up my Rotolight NEO in seconds, filled the space with natural light, and captured incredible images. This bag is a Peak Design Everyday Sling 3L v2.

Q: Any gear you’re thinking of selling or upgrading soon?
A: Nothing really. I’d love some Profoto stuff. They’re great and their service is incredible. I’d like some creative lens, so maybe some Lensbaby stuff. I create a lot of reflections, etc., in camera using a variety of homemade stuff, so maybe a Lensbaby would add to that.

Q: How do you know when it’s time to say goodbye to a beloved piece of gear?
A: I’m merciless. I change my load out so often, so I just know. If it’s not working, sell it. If you don’t use it, sell it. Equally, don’t be a photographer stuck using the same old stuff; try new gear out.

As a photographer, you may find yourself wondering how to go about selling and upgrading your gear. MPB makes it easy to sell your used equipment and get paid within days, allowing you to boost your savings and make someone else’s dream gear a reality. With a straightforward process, selling to MPB is a seamless and trusted experience.