Here are two issues that got nothing to do with how well you compose your frames and how professionally you set the lighting, and yet if you fail to address those two you can easily mess it for you and your clients, ruin your reputation and lose lots of money. I'm talking about Backup and Checklist. Today I'll write about backup.
It may sound obvious. "What if my camera breaks down in the middle of the event I'm shooting? Hey, no problem! I take out the backup body and continue as if nothing happened" Right, well done partner.
Now let me ask you that: What if your flash dies on you in the middle of shooting an important ceremony? Do you have a backup flash or do you still count on your backup camera... What about your batteries? OK, you got five sets of AA batteries in your bag, but what if your camera's battery that usually lasts for 1000 or so shots suddenly goes on a strike just as your client goes up on stage?...
You got my point; ask yourself if you really have a backup for every piece of equipment that your work relies on. Search for single points of failure. I'm not saying you need to have everything double. It doesn't make sense carrying two pieces of 24-70 mm expensive lens in your bag, but it does make sense to have at least one ultra-wide lens and one telephoto in addition to the 24-70. If your 24-70 fell down and broke you'd still be able to continue the work with the other lenses.
Sooner or later you'll find yourself doing an important job out there, when your camera or other piece of your gear breaks down. It's only then that you'll learn that backup is much more then having a second gear. Backup is what keeps you calm and focused even when nothing goes wrong. Without a backup you will (and you should...) be worried and restless throughout the event you're photographing. There is a huge difference between shooting products in the studio and shooting a wedding ceremony in church. There are no retakes, there is no time for phone calls and consultations, there is no second chance.
I couldn't over-emphasize the need to have a backup gear ready and handy. You'll need it sooner or later.
