Thank you for offering to help second shoot for me! Since I’m often asked, here is some general guidance on how we can provide the best photos for my clients while keeping the continuity between our styles. Thank you!!
Getting Ready:
Shoot tight to get rid of distractions in background
Shoot tight to emphasize details
Next to a window with good light
Groom Portraits:
One full body, one half body
Pinning of flowers and up close of flowers (detail shot)
One formal (jacket buttoned, hands folded)
One casual (jacket open, hands in pockets, standing and walking, laughing/smiling)
Please shoot 50mm or 85mm if possible (unless it’s a tight space, then 35mm is ok. Please nothing wider than 35mm. Why do I ask? I once had a second shoot guys photos with a fish eye lens….)
Groomsmen Portraits:
One formal (jackets buttoned and hands folded)
One casual (jackets open and hands in pockets)
One walking
Some candid type ones of laughing/hanging out
Please shoot 50mm+ and up if possible (unless a creative wide shot with a 35mm)
Groom with each guy (one formal, one casual/funny one)
Family Portraits:
Please shoot 50mm+ and up…no wide angle..long lenses make people look thinner
Find a spot in the shade, if no shade use concrete (put back to sun and light bouncing from concrete for fill)
No raccoon eyes..fill with open shade, flash, or bounced light
One full body, one half body (preferably at 85mm+ up)
Reception:
First grab details…any and all. I don’t do details (I usually don’t have time) so this is all you!!
Wide room shot without people
Up close of centerpieces …please shoot tight (50mm+) and wide open (2.8 or lower)
Grip and grins at cocktail hour for those guests willing
Candids
Trays of food, uneaten or as people are grabbing them off trays
Outdoor shot of venue and venue sign
Please note: cocktail hour is the only time we focus on guests (I don’t do table shots), so please get as many photos of guests as possible! This is a large part of why couples have second photographers is to cover the parts of the day they can’t be at, so kill cocktail hour as best you can!! Thank you!
General Comments:
Our goal is to provide as many high quality, memorable photos for the couple as possible, so the way we can do this is if we don’t shoot the same thing
If assisting me during portraits, focus on small details, like bouquets being held, veils, candids, side angles, children, hugs, etc. I always direct the bride + groom, so I love it when my seconds photograph the other moments I’m missing while doing that. This is also a good time to offer to photograph couples within the wedding party/family that aren’t on the portrait list (ie wedding party and their dates, couples photos of just grandparents, just parents, family shots of a sibling with just their spouses and kids, etc)
During ceremony and reception, choose a different angle than myself. If I’m in the center aisle, get side angles.
During ceremony and reception, focus on reactions of guests, especially parents and grandparents during toasts, first dance and vows
Capture those special in between moments that I as the primary don’t have access to, like standing behind the bride as she walks down the aisle, the bride and her dad before they walk down the aisle, getting in/out of transportation, etc.
Take advantage of balconies and other fun shots/angles that I as the primary don’t get to do because I must focus on the “safe” shots
I value my second photographers and their creativity…feel free to do unique stuff or grab that “artsy” shot if you see a possibility or if there’s extra time (if it’s with b+g please ask first to make sure we have enough time)
The only time I really shoot wider than 50mm is for exterior shots of venue/church, artistic portraits, dancing/first dances, balcony shots. I typically shoot tight and long to minimize distractions, make people look thinner and remain unobtrusive
Another goal is to remain as unobtrusive as possible. My clients often hire me for advertising this and for making them feel comfortable and being a calm, helpful presence. My clients are typically classy and chill.
I typically don’t do behind the scenes or excessive social media. My feeling is that this day is about the client and their wedding and we can do the best job for them by remaining present. Therefore, I ask my seconds to refrain from grabbing social media videos and cell phone pics during the day, especially during the most important moments like the ceremony and key formalities. This goes for other vendors too— I’m increasingly having a problem with other vendors getting in the shot with their cell phones to get their own BTS, and it can make an image unusable. Don’t be afraid to ask other vendors to move if they are inserting themselves in the way of your shot to get a BTS photo. Tell them I’ll be happy to send them the wedding gallery when the images are all finished. We have to remember that this isn’t about us, it’s about our clients.
Lastly, this goes without saying, but remember to dress appropriately for a wedding/event. No jeans, flip flops, sneakers, etc. I typically wear all black. If it’s a black tie event, dress up a little more than you usually do. Additionally, and I wish I didn’t have to say this but it has happened before, please use respectful language around the clients. No swearing, no dirty jokes, nothing that could get me sued LOL. Many things can be misinterpreted or interpreted as sexual harassment. Just be mindful that we are working the event, not participating in it. Thank you for understanding and for doing your best to represent my business and brand.
And just a reminder, please wait three months to share any images (this is when I deliver my gallery) and refrain from using names (initials are ok). Also please do not tag venue or location or vendors. However, you are welcome to use the images from the day, aside from those of children (I’ve had people ask me to take down photos of kids).
Below are some of my favorite images captured by my second photographers over the years. I would be thrilled to receive anything like these.
