I've been a second shooter at a number of weddings now and was recently informed that I'm a pretty stellar second shooter. (In fact, I'm one local photographer's first pick - which made me absolutely giddy.) I'm lucky to have Ryan as my second shooter for weddings which works out beautifully for me. We both have a similar style and we understand one another really well. I can always count on Ryan to get really strong images from a different perspective too and he fills out each weddings album of images really well! So I thought I'd write an article giving some tips on how to be an awesome second shooter based on my experiences with a second shooter and as a second shooter for someone else.
1) Do NOT promote yourself!
This is probably the most important rule of second shooting, and I would hope it's common sense. While you are working - you are a member of your main photographers business. It is completely inappropriate and unacceptable to advertise or market your own business while you are working for another photographer. In fact, by trying to market yourself while working for another photographer you will more than likely appear very unprofessional and amateur. So do yourself and the photographer who was kind enough to hire you for the day the courtesy of forgetting you have a business for the day. And as an employee for the photographer, you should be prepped to answer a few simple questions about your photographer if guests should ask and have business cards ready to hand out too!
2) Look for new angles
The last thing your photographer wants is for you to take duplicates of every shot he/she is taking. They hired you for your eye and their hope is that you'll look for different angles. On wedding days, it's the main photographers job to capture all of those formal straight on images. But you have the fun and unique opportunity to look at each shot from a different angle or perspective. Keep an eye open for something different and things the photographer might miss between shots too!
3) Be sure you're not in the main photographers shot
This can be a common problem for new second shooters. It's always important to keep an eye on where the main photographer is and be sure you aren't going to show up in the backgrounds of their images. Remember their shots are more important than yours! So stay out of their way! And remember to look for those different angles too she/she isn't in the background of your pictures either.
4) Pay attention to details
Another nice thing you can do to help your photographer is to pay attention to the details when he/she is setting up a photo. If you notice the brides dress is wrinkled funny, straighten it. If you see that the grooms handkerchief isn't perfect, correct it. If a bridesmaid has some hair out of place, go up and fix it. Both the photographer and the client will thank you for your attention to those details.
5) Be attentive to what the main photographer needs
Oftentimes second shooters double as assistants. So always keep your eye on the photographer to see if there's something he/she needs. This is really great when you've worked with one photographer for a while because you start to know what lenses he/she will be wanting when they're setting up a shot. And you can be ready and waiting with their lens prepped for them when they need it.
6) Be friendly and chat with client while the main photographer preps for the next shot
Don't feel like you can't be friendly and chat with the client just because they aren't your clients. Often brides and grooms feel most uncomfortable in those in between moments while the photographer is getting prepped for the next shot. Ease their discomfort by telling them how awesome they look, asking them if they're enjoying the day, asking what they are most looking forward to. This is a great way to keep the clients distracted and happy and giving the main photographer the time they need to get ready for the next shot.
As you can see there are a lot of things you can do to help your photographer on the wedding day. While the main photographer has to focus on getting images he/she is sure the client will buy, you get the opportunity to capture some really unique and creative images too! Plus it's your duty to make sure the photographer is taken care of as well as his/her clients. And don't forget - while you are working for a photographer, you cannot advertise or market yourself. And hopefully these six tips will help you become the best second shooter you can be!
Stephanie lives in Central IL, is married to her best friend, Ryan, and enjoys the company of her rambunctious lab-beagle pup, Kit. She is the owner of Green Tree Media and is passionate about photography. To learn more about Stephanie Gagnon of Green Tree Media, visit her website at: http://www.greentreemediaonline.com
1) Do NOT promote yourself!
This is probably the most important rule of second shooting, and I would hope it's common sense. While you are working - you are a member of your main photographers business. It is completely inappropriate and unacceptable to advertise or market your own business while you are working for another photographer. In fact, by trying to market yourself while working for another photographer you will more than likely appear very unprofessional and amateur. So do yourself and the photographer who was kind enough to hire you for the day the courtesy of forgetting you have a business for the day. And as an employee for the photographer, you should be prepped to answer a few simple questions about your photographer if guests should ask and have business cards ready to hand out too!
2) Look for new angles
The last thing your photographer wants is for you to take duplicates of every shot he/she is taking. They hired you for your eye and their hope is that you'll look for different angles. On wedding days, it's the main photographers job to capture all of those formal straight on images. But you have the fun and unique opportunity to look at each shot from a different angle or perspective. Keep an eye open for something different and things the photographer might miss between shots too!
3) Be sure you're not in the main photographers shot
This can be a common problem for new second shooters. It's always important to keep an eye on where the main photographer is and be sure you aren't going to show up in the backgrounds of their images. Remember their shots are more important than yours! So stay out of their way! And remember to look for those different angles too she/she isn't in the background of your pictures either.
4) Pay attention to details
Another nice thing you can do to help your photographer is to pay attention to the details when he/she is setting up a photo. If you notice the brides dress is wrinkled funny, straighten it. If you see that the grooms handkerchief isn't perfect, correct it. If a bridesmaid has some hair out of place, go up and fix it. Both the photographer and the client will thank you for your attention to those details.
5) Be attentive to what the main photographer needs
Oftentimes second shooters double as assistants. So always keep your eye on the photographer to see if there's something he/she needs. This is really great when you've worked with one photographer for a while because you start to know what lenses he/she will be wanting when they're setting up a shot. And you can be ready and waiting with their lens prepped for them when they need it.
6) Be friendly and chat with client while the main photographer preps for the next shot
Don't feel like you can't be friendly and chat with the client just because they aren't your clients. Often brides and grooms feel most uncomfortable in those in between moments while the photographer is getting prepped for the next shot. Ease their discomfort by telling them how awesome they look, asking them if they're enjoying the day, asking what they are most looking forward to. This is a great way to keep the clients distracted and happy and giving the main photographer the time they need to get ready for the next shot.
As you can see there are a lot of things you can do to help your photographer on the wedding day. While the main photographer has to focus on getting images he/she is sure the client will buy, you get the opportunity to capture some really unique and creative images too! Plus it's your duty to make sure the photographer is taken care of as well as his/her clients. And don't forget - while you are working for a photographer, you cannot advertise or market yourself. And hopefully these six tips will help you become the best second shooter you can be!
Stephanie lives in Central IL, is married to her best friend, Ryan, and enjoys the company of her rambunctious lab-beagle pup, Kit. She is the owner of Green Tree Media and is passionate about photography. To learn more about Stephanie Gagnon of Green Tree Media, visit her website at: http://www.greentreemediaonline.com
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