A few weekends ago I offered to be a 2nd shooter to help a local photographer and friend, Ray Mabry.
The wedding was on the smallish side, but it had both indoor and outdoor locations so it was a great opportunity to practice both natural light and flash photography.
Based on that experience, I made a list of 8 helpful tricks for anyone who wants to be a successful 2nd shooter:
1. Make sure your equipment is organized and prepared for a day of shooting
- Clean and pack all of your lenses.
- Charge all of your batteries for the camera and your external flash.
- Have plenty of photo cards and make sure they are cleaned and formatted.
- Remember items like extension cords, lens cleaners, duct tape, reflectors and your tripod.
- Pack a small ‘accessories bag’ with few Band-Aids, Motrin, tiny scissors, a few safety pins and a Tide To Go Stain-Out Pen.
There may be other items you can bring based on where you are going, so give it some thought. Think about what could go wrong at your venue, and prepare as best as possible It’s better to have it and not need it – than to need it and not have it. Right?
2. Pack a bag of snacks
Staying hydrated and eating a little bit every few hours is essential. I brought along water, an orange, a bag of nuts and some dry frosted mini wheat cereal. The Bride and Groom arranged for our whole crew to eat dinner that night, but I would never make that assumption. Bring what you need just in case – cause it’s not like you can leave the reception and come back.
And don’t forget to pack the mints.
3. Get there early
If you are late, the lead photographer may question your value or worry about your professionalism. The last thing you want to do is frustrate him or make him feel rushed. Find out what time the lead will get there, and then plan on arriving 10 minutes before him. Be there waiting with a smile and your excitement for the opportunity to help out.
4. Review the game plan
Spend a few minutes with the team confirming the flow of the day. If you have questions about equipment, get the answers. Confirm your shooting role at the wedding ceremony and reception. Little things like weather changes from sun to rain could have major impact on your shooting strategy.
Click here for a wedding photo checklist I found on the internet. It’s very detailed and can be a great starting place for the team to get clear on what shots are important to capture.
Yes, write it down. Trying to keep all the details in your head will NOT work.
5. Be present and invisible at the same time
You are in an assistant role – You should be aware and available for the photographer and the family, without taking over. Make suggestions for interesting backgrounds or for shots they may have overlooked. Help the team with large group shots and keep the other guests at bay. Ask the lead photographer if it’s ok before handing out your own business card – especially if you are a photographer that also books weddings.
6. Take shots that are non-traditional
The lead photographer will most likely be in charge of getting the more traditional shots — so why not approach your role as a “documentary filmmaker”. Take guest action shots, behind the scenes stuff, non-traditional points of view and use other lenses for different effects.
Pay attention to kids especially – as they tend to become the life of the party when the music starts.
7. Finish strong
By the end of the day, you’ll probably be exhausted – and so will everyone else. Make sure you do a few simple things to finish strong
- Thank the lead photographer and the staff for the shooting experience
- If appropriate, thank the venue location staff and family members you have met throughout the day
- Re-pack your bag with the same care and organization as you did before the event
- Before you leave the location, ask the lead photographer if there is anything else you can do to end the event successfully
8. Remember to follow-up
A few days after the wedding, get in touch with the lead photographer. Send a handwritten note or make a quick call, thanking them for the opportunity to work together. Let them know directly if you would be interested in helping out again in the future.
If you want feedback about the support you gave, ask questions like “What did you like about the way I helped out”, and “If we work together again, what would you change so the day will be more successful?”
Moving forward on my dream path
On my path to becoming a top photographer, I will look for other events and opportunities to participate in so that I can gain confidence and narrow my niche a bit more. I enjoyed being a second shooter on this wedding, and I would certainly do that again if the opportunity comes up.
But I don’t think my dream will be to become a “wedding photographer”. Now that I’ve done that, I can check it off my list and look in to other kinds of photography and events to try next.
- When it comes to your dreams, what are some of the things you can do to gain experience and define your path a little more?
- What will you have to do to take that next step?
Until next photo,
Rem
Remy’s dream is creating opportunities for photography showings and public displays of her work
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