A Second Photographer’s Guide

This is meant to be a little guide for anyone interested in helping out as a second photographer on wedding day. Even if you’re not a photographer and you’re just curious to know what a day in the life of a second photographer looks like, feel free to continue reading. Obviously, every photographer handles a wedding day differently, but generally these are the main things I like my seconds to know.

My “Style”

For the most part, I don’t like to shoot with a flash. I really prefer to use natural light as much as possible. It’s one less thing to fiddle around with, and maybe I over think it, but I feel like it’s a bit intimidating for some folks to have this monstrosity of a setup pointed at them, flashing a bright light the entire day (the only time I will break from this is reception, when the lights are dimmed and the dance floor is rockin’). To compensate for this, I really prefer to stick to prime lenses, shooting with an open aperture, typically 1.4f, sometimes 2.8f for group photos. For focal length, I like to use a 35mm for getting ready moments (since we’re usually in a tighter space), 85mm (or narrower) for ceremony and a 50mm for just about everything else. I like to keep things fairly candid, capturing moments as they occur, sometimes directing folks to fabricate a moment, but again, it needs to look candid, I don’t want to deliver a gallery of hundreds of photos of people staring right at the camera, smiling…it get’s a bit unsettling. Plus we’ll get plenty of those photos during formals (the looking at the camera, smiling photos, not the unsettling ones).

Details

Normally I like to start the day with photos of the dress and rings, flowers, and any other details of the day the couple would like to include in a flat lay. My second shooter will typically help me gather these items and assist with moving the dress and any other equipment needed to get these shots.

Groom

For couples who want to capture getting ready moments, I like to have my second shooter hang out with the groom and groomsmen. I typically ask my grooms to get dressed to the point where they are ready to put their tie, coat and shoes on. We’ll then guide them through the process of “getting dressed” as we capture the groom putting on the remaining items. If possible, I like to include the Best Man or any family members to assist with the coat and boutonniere. Feel free to capture similar moments with the groomsmen as they finish up getting ready for the day.

First Look

If a couple decides to do a first look, I usually have my second photographer hang out in front of the groom off to the side a bit so we can capture the faces of the groom and bride as she makes her way to her soon-to-be husband. I will usually be behind the bride, ready to capture the groom’s reaction as he turns around and sees his bride for the first time.

Formals

For wedding party formals, I like to have my second photographer capture candid moments in between the photos I’m taking. These are great additions for galleries, since people don’t realize these photos are being taken, they tend to be a bit more relaxed and enjoying the moment. For family formals, I have my second run the list, getting the next group of folks ready while I work on capturing each photo. We’ll both give everyone a once over to make sure everyone’s looking their best (i.e. sunglasses & phones are put away, the groom and groomsmen haven’t buttoned up every button on their jackets, no bulky pockets, jewelry is on straight, etc.).

Ceremony

For ceremonies, depending on the layout of the entrance, I normally have the second photographer in the back room with everyone, capturing the moments before they start walking down the aisle. If the layout doesn’t lend itself to that, I’ll have my second hang out towards the back of the ceremony space on the left corner (left side if you’re facing the alter). During ceremony, we’ll do a bit of divide and conquer where my second will stay on that left side, where they’ll be able to get more of shots of the groom, and I’ll stay more on the right side where I’ll have a better angle of the bride. Throughout the ceremony we’ll both work on getting different shots of the ceremony space, bride & groom, wedding party, and family members.

That’s It!

I typically only ask my second photographers to stay for four hours, which normally gets us through all of the moments above. But there is one last thing to consider while you’re here…

Be Creative!

As a second shooter, don’t feel like you are limited to anything on this page. Everyone has their favorite shots, or things they like to do on wedding day, and I’m here for it! I love seeing others’ creativity, and if I can learn some new tricks or shots to take on wedding day, even better. If there’s something you’ve been wanting to try, but don’t normally have a chance to because you’re so busy on other wedding days when you’re a main, give it a go!