gear for parties/ events

I get a lot of calls and inquiries for parties! Oddly I don't really even advertise them but I do. kids birthdays, etc. All were indoors.

Well today I had a call for a HS graduation party outdoors 5-8 pm no problem. But the woman also wants the following morning for me to do a wedding anniversary for her parents: surprise party. But it's outdoors around 11 am.
I feel as I get more and more inquries on parties (I enjoy doing them) I may want to consider investing in gear.
I have flashes and a strobe. Feel ok with the evening party but what should I do about lighting on the day anniversary surprise? Just flashes for fill? I do not have a flash bracket. Do you recommend one?

Any other thoughts on gear lists for parties I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I shoot a party like a wedding reception. Two or three lights with remote triggers and on camera flash with a rouge flash bender for fill.

As far as the anniversary surprise, on camera flash for fill.

I do not use a flash bracket. Back in the old day, you needed it to prevent Redeye. Redye was not easy to eliminate like it is today in Lightroom. Some people use them, I do not.

Thank you so much for your fast reply. Very helpful!

...I've built my event kit around what I can fit in this bag:

http://www.thinktankph​oto.com …ts/airport-navigator.aspx

So two bodies: one with 70-200 and the other with a wide lens attached: a couple of back up lenses, and four speedlights, triggers, a flashbender, and a lightstand and umbrella in a bag over my shoulder that I tuck away in a corner of the room if I don't need it. Add a black rapid double strap as well, and all the other little bits and pieces (spare batteries, cleaning kit, etc).

I can shoot "out of the bag" or hook everything up to the black rapid and throw the bag under a table. Its an awesome, versatile bag with a TARDIS like ability to just keep fitting stuff in: I used to have a Stealth Reporter that looked like a bigger bag, but it didn't fit in as much stuff and it really put a strain on my back.

This is my "desert island" kit: enough gear to cover me if anything fails, and to improvise if the unexpected happens. I walk into any event assuming I have to cover it with what I have in the bag. It is both a limiting and liberating approach.

banquetbear wrote in post #16923615
...I've built my event kit around what I can fit in this bag:

http://www.thinktankph​oto.com …ts/airport-navigator.aspx

So two bodies: one with 70-200 and the other with a wide lens attached: a couple of back up lenses, and four speedlights, triggers, a flashbender, and a lightstand and umbrella in a bag over my shoulder that I tuck away in a corner of the room if I don't need it. Add a black rapid double strap as well, and all the other little bits and pieces (spare batteries, cleaning kit, etc).

I can shoot "out of the bag" or hook everything up to the black rapid and throw the bag under a table. Its an awesome, versatile bag with a TARDIS like ability to just keep fitting stuff in: I used to have a Stealth Reporter that looked like a bigger bag, but it didn't fit in as much stuff and it really put a strain on my back.

This is my "desert island" kit: enough gear to cover me if anything fails, and to improvise if the unexpected happens. I walk into any event assuming I have to cover it with what I have in the bag. It is both a limiting and liberating approach.

Thank you. This is a great idea and similar to what i do. I will check out that link as well. As I have a strobe and modifiers I don't have a bag for it all yet. Just been taking my time to get one. However being we don't travel much I just have it all in a padded suitcase which thus far has been extremely convenient. (The camera stuff stays in its own bag) I also do have 2 camera bodies with the same lenses. I do only have 2 flashes and 1 strobe tho.

Thus far my plan is to use the speed lights on camera for fill as needed and set up the strobe for any "posed shots". Given the events are outdoors I'm not sure how I'd go about setting up any lighting to reasonably work to shoot people as they move and mingle other than on camera.