How to Be an Awesome Second Photographer
As a wedding photographer, we are always on the hunt for great second shooters. Whether new to wedding photography or experienced shooters, we want each member of our team to find a place where they can learn and grow within JMGant Photography.
When it comes to second shooting, we’ve learned a thing or two working for nearly a decade, shooting over 350 weddings, and working with over 50 assistants and second shooters. Most of our experiences have been amazing, and many of our second shooters have gone on to run their own successful photography studios. We’ve also had a few experiences that helped us grow and learn. From all these experiences—both good and bad—we’ve culled a list of the most helpful tips for those seeking to second shoot:
BEFORE THE WEDDING
Be reliable. It should go without saying, but, unfortunately, it has to be said: If you say you’re going to be there, be there. Don’t agree to something haphazardly. We are running a business and need to be able to rely on you. Additionally, plan on arriving early. You never know when there might be slow traffic or delays. If there is an emergency, we will try to be understanding, but you need to let us know ASAP.
Be familiar with the schedule. Read over the entire schedule from beginning to end, multiple times. Conceptualize the wedding day and your role throughout the day. If you have any concerns about the schedule, don’t hesitate to talk with the lead photographer.
Prepare your equipment. You should arrive with all your equipment ready to go. You should always be shooting in RAW format. Make sure that your cameras and lenses are fully operational. Make sure your sensors are clean. Make sure you have enough batteries and memory cards to last the entire event, or a charger to keep them charged. Have a backup camera.
Be prepared to take over. This has never happened in all our years as a wedding photography studio, but in the case of an emergency, you may be asked to step up to the plate as lead, at least momentarily. For some, this may sound scary, but you can do it if you are prepared.
AT THE WEDDING
Be friendly and professional. We of course want you to be friendly to everyone at the wedding, but we also want you to be professional. Please don’t Facebook friend the couple, or wedding party, or wedding guests, etc. Leave your business cards at home. You are representing another brand, not yourself. You are on the clock, so please do not order or drink alcohol.
Dress nicely, but be comfortable. We suggest that you dress similarly to how a guest would dress. But, make sure that you’re comfortable enough to be on your feet the entire day. Our photographers typically wear slacks, button-ups, and comfortable but formal or semi-formal shoes. Dresses and/or belts and ties are appropriate during the ceremony.
Sync your equipment. Sync your equipment at the beginning of the day. The easiest way to sync your equipment is to pull up a live Atomic Clock on your phone and take a photo of it. In Lightroom, that photo as well as all other photos shot with that camera can then be synced based on the Atomic Clock time.
Complement the lead photographer. Your positioning and style need to complement (not compliment, though you can do that too) the lead photographer. Keep an eye on what they’re doing. Make sure you’re never in their shot, but don’t shoot over their shoulder either. Shoot wide when the lead is shooting tight; shoot candids when the lead is shooting formals, etc. Don’t interrupt the lead when they are directing a shot. If you have an idea or a question, wait until you can talk with the lead discreetly and without interrupting the schedule.
Keep an eye on the clock. Be familiar with the schedule’ review it regularly. Don’t hesitate to respectfully let the lead photographer know the time, and where they are on the schedule.
Shoot a lot and don’t delete anything. Never hesitate to shoot through a moment. We would always rather have more photos to choose from than fewer. Don’t delete or cull your photos in-camera. Even if you don’t like a photo, don’t delete it. All photographers know that every shot isn’t a winner, but when you delete photos and then continue to shoot you’re back-filling your card, which makes it more difficult to recover files if corrupted.
Learn without undermining confidence. We want all our second shooters to gain a lot from their time with us. This means learning and growing. We also want our clients to be fully confident in their photographers. Vocalizing your questions in front of a client can cause misunderstanding and a lack of confidence. If you have a question, wait until you can ask the lead discreetly or after the wedding.
Help the lead watch for the little details. Sometimes as a lead photographer we get caught up with all that is going on and can miss the little details, such as a crooked tie, hair out of place, bra strap showing, etc. Help the lead photographer by watching for these details and helping correct them.
AFTER THE WEDDING
Don’t delete the photos right away. At JMGant Photography we try to provide all our second shooters with an SD card at the beginning of the wedding day, and then collect it at the end of the day. Don’t delete your backup card until you know that the lead photographer has backed up and culled all the photos.
Be respectful of the agreed upon usage rules. Unless your contract states otherwise, the photos are owned by the photography company that you’re working for. Do not post them on social media, enter them into contests, etc. At JMGant Photography, our second photographers may use the photos they took in print format only, unless otherwise agreed.
Ask for feedback. Oftentimes the lead photographer has photographed hundreds of weddings and reviewed millions of photos. Take this opportunity to ask for feedback and to sincerely listen and learn. Alternatively to paying thousands of dollars attending a workshop learning from someone, take this and every opportunity as a learning opportunity.
