1st wedding, 2nd shooter

I’m stepping in as a 2nd shooter for a wedding in a couple weeks. What’s the best advice you can give me, or someone gave you, or you learned the hard way?

Just looking to learn as much as I can.... even etiquette wise.

I have also had a lot of conversations with the primary photographer, about her goals and expectations of me.


Thanks in advance.

Make a shot list if you can. Prepare at the venue beforehand to get settings right if you can, synch time with the primary shooter,do what the primary tells you, its his gig so don't try to upstage him, and, most importantly, relax and enjoy the day. You'll either like it or love it. If you have to edit as well, edit like the primary does, and if he uses presets, get them for consistency of images.

Be aware of the main photographer - don’t get in / walk into / stay in his shots. Don’t just shoot headshots / things. Shoot interaction between people. Shoot scenes. Shoot things the other shooter isn’t. Don’t shoot portrait unless it’s really needed. Have fun! Smile.

swbkrun wrote in post #18686706
I’m stepping in as a 2nd shooter for a wedding in a couple weeks. What’s the best advice you can give me, or someone gave you, or you learned the hard way?

Just looking to learn as much as I can.... even etiquette wise.

I have also had a lot of conversations with the primary photographer, about her goals and expectations of me.


Thanks in advance.

Colin Glover wrote in post #18687496
Make a shot list if you can. Prepare at the venue beforehand to get settings right if you can, synch time with the primary shooter,do what the primary tells you, its his gig so don't try to upstage him, and, most importantly, relax and enjoy the day. You'll either like it or love it. If you have to edit as well, edit like the primary does, and if he uses presets, get them for consistency of images.

daisan wrote in post #18687518
Be aware of the main photographer - don’t get in / walk into / stay in his shots. Don’t just shoot headshots / things. Shoot interaction between people. Shoot scenes. Shoot things the other shooter isn’t. Don’t shoot portrait unless it’s really needed. Have fun! Smile.

Most important rule of all: Don't call HER a HIM.

Yeah, don’t do that

usually as 2nd shooter, try to run away from the 1st shooter. unless the 2nd shooter is also an assistant.

if the 1st shooter is focus on the bride, then the 2nd focus on the groom and vice versa.
if the 1st shooter is focus on the "safety" shots, then the 2nd should do a PJ style in the background and vice versa.
if the 1st shooter uses flash, then the 2nd should not use flash in the same area and vice versa....
if the 1st shooter is focus on the "important" shots, then the 2nd may focus on "flavor" shots like Makro, Ultra Wide Angle, Fisheye, etc

Thanks for pointing that out John. At least I wasn't the only one to make that mistake, though my mistake probably was the trigger for the second.

Thanks all for the advice. I’m sure there is a ton more out there but this is a great foundation.

1. Ask her for some business cards at the start of the day. That makes it clear to her that you intend to represent her and not yourself if the opportunity to schmooze arises.
2. Don't shoot over her shoulder during formals. Subjects will look at you and ruin the primary's shot. Your job is to stand at 45 degrees and get the side angle, or perhaps focus on the kids running around 20 yards away.
3. Look through her website extensively. That way you'll know things like if she uses flash at the reception or not, and you sound more proactive when you say: "I noticed that you use a lot of bounce flash at receptions, would you like me to do the same or shoot ambient light with my fast lens?" rather than "how should we divide up and shoot the reception?"
4. When a bridesmaid forgets her boquet at the last location, be the first to offer to go fetch it and hustle when you do.
stuff like that.

Thank you