Successfully Working with Second Shooters
I have been shooting weddings for 11+ years. Throughout those years, I have been a second shooter for a couple of amazing photographers and have had the blessing of having several amazing second shooters myself! Establishing a strong working relationship between a wedding photographer and a second shooter is one of the most important parts of capturing a seamless story of a wedding day. I have a very unique way of working with my second shooters that doesn’t always echo some of the things I have read online—I consider my seconds as a part of my “team” on the wedding day, and keeping that “team” mindset is why I think I have established such good relationships with my seconds! Keep reading for some suggestions to help the lead and second create a successful working relationship:
For the Lead Photographer…
How do you find a second shooter? Use social media! Connect with other local photographers on Instagram and Facebook, and reach out to ones that you like to see if they might be willing to second shoot. Connect with your local Tuesdays Together Group through the Rising Tide Society! Meet with them in person to get to know each other and “talk shop” so that you have a better idea of their skills, equipment, and whether or not your personalities will mesh.
When searching for a second shooter, think about what you are hoping to get from them: A few shots at different angles? A certain segment of the day that you are unable to cover because you are covering something else (like the groomsmen getting ready or cocktail hour)? Backup in case of an emergency? And what are they hoping to get out of YOU? Experience? Technique? Depending on your wishes, you may need to find someone with more experience, or you may be ok with taking on a new photographer to help them get experience and build their portfolios.
Contracts? I have never really set up a contract with my second shooters, which is a big no-no in the legal world. (Insert concerned emoji here!) But this has been because I have never worked with anyone I didn’t know or trust. If you are finding random seconds in FB groups who you’ve never really worked with, a contract would be essential to make sure you are both clear on expectations and procedures. A great place to get one is TheLawTog (which is where I need to buy one, haha!).
COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, and COMMUNICATE SOME MORE! Make sure your second shooters are aware of your expectations for the wedding day. Make sure they know exactly what time you need them to be, and provide them with addresses, phone numbers, and names of people they may need to be able to contact throughout the day. Do they need to pack a lunch? Will you be eating vendor meals or from the reception buffet? Do they have dietary restrictions? We all know that a fed wedding photographer is a better wedding photographer, and that includes the second shooters!
Decide how you are going to transfer images at the end of the day. I have done this a variety of ways over the years, but what seems to work best is just taking their memory cards at the end of the day, getting them backed up, and then returning them to the second in person or carefully via mail after the wedding day. Make sure you communicate your preference with your second so that they are prepared!
Touch base with your second shooter throughout the day. When they arrive, show them a good place to hide away their equipment/bags, and give them a brief tour of the venue. Introduce them to the bride, group, and coordinator. Chat in the ceremony space and establish a “plan of attack” so that you are not in each other’s way. Decide who is going to photograph the bride coming down the aisle and the groom’s reaction, if you are not going to be able to capture good shots of both. Sometimes I have my second strategically sit 2 or 3 rows back to capture the bride walking down the aisle and the wedding party’s entrance while I stand at the back or front corner of the ceremony space. Make sure to verbally give your second a bathroom break and chance to grab a bite to eat.
Pay your second shooter accordingly. In the current market, I usually pay between $30-$50/hour, depending on how experienced my second shooters are and how long they are working. If a tip is given, split it with your second, especially if they have been there the whole day with you. Yes, you are ultimately doing more work, but this gesture goes such a long way in establishing yourself as a good lead photographer to work with (and good person, in general).
Decide before you hire a second how they will be able to use the photos they take. Some photographers are very possessive over the images taken on a wedding day and don’t allow their seconds to use any on their website or on social media. Personally, I have no issue with this! I don’t mind if a second edits some of their photos to showcase, as long as it’s after I have edited and delivered the gallery to the bride and groom.
Give your second the freedom to be creative. I love second shooting weddings (still) because some of the pressure to capture every moment is removed and I can be more creative and intentional with composition. I always ask my seconds during the intimate portrait session if they have ideas—it allows them to try something they may be wanting to try and and provides you with a different angle/composition for the couple’s photo gallery! And if you don’t like what is produced…you don’t have to use it. (But I always do!)
Give your second feedback! There’s no greater letdown like working your tail off on a wedding day and then not even getting to see the gallery or find out if the lead thought your work was good…or bad. Show your seconds the final gallery! If you notice skills they can continue to work on, tell them! And definitely praise them for their strengths and specific shots that you just loved. The most positive feedback I got from a lead photographer came from the second wedding I second shot with her—she sent me a screen shot of a particular image I took at the reception and told me how brilliantly I captured the moment. After the first wedding I shot with her, she encouraged me to work more on my flash during the reception (I was terrified of flash at the time), and that was the next education I tackled! (Thanks, MaryLou of AllBliss Photography!)
Give your second credit. When posting photos about the wedding online, give your second a shoutout. Unless you didn’t use one single photo that they took, this is another gesture that can go a long way in establishing a positive relationship with your second shooters!
For the Second Shooter…
How do you find a lead photographer to work with? Use social media! Connect with photographers on Instagram and Facebook, and reach out to see if they might be willing to let you second shoot with them. Find possible leads by joining Rising Tide Society and your local Tuesdays Together chapter.
Be honest with your lead photographer about your experience and equipment. What type of lenses do you have and are you comfortable working with? Do you have flash equipment, and do you know how to work it?
COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, and COMMUNICATE SOME MORE! If you don’t get a timeline at least a week prior to the wedding, ask for one. Make sure you have all the details you need to feel comfortable with your expectations for the day! Check in with the photographer throughout the wedding day.
Relax and have fun! The best way to take good pictures is to connect with the clients, especially if you have been given the lead during a certain part of the day.
Take a few photos of the lead photographer in action during the day. Those behind the scenes shots are great for social media posts!
Try something new! During the times when capturing every single moment is not as urgent, try something new! Play around with angles and composition. Try something creative with lighting.
Avoid the temptation to edit and post anything immediately, no matter how excited you are! Check with your photographer his/her preferences for this. Your editing style may be different from your lead photographer’s, and you don’t want to set any expectations for the couple. Wait until the lead photographer edits and delivers the gallery to the couple, and maybe even another month or two to allow the photographer and couple to share all of their favorite images.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! If you see your lead doing something interesting with their composition or equipment, ask about it! If your lead does not provide you with feedback after the wedding day, ask for it!
I recently filmed a YouTube video with one of my friends and second shooters, Blakely Fowler of Blakely Clayton Photography. Click below to listen/watch as we have a candid conversation about what it’s like to develop a good lead/second shooter dynamic, as well as hear a few tips and tricks of the trade!
