I am SO excited to be talking about how to be the best second shooter today! I would never have gotten as far in my wedding career as I have without having the chance to second shoot weddings. I have second shot over 40 weddings, and made such great friends and connections in the industry!
Have you been wanting to start second shooting, or want idea's on how to be the best second shooter that you can be? I am going to give you five tips on being the best second shooter you can be. These tips will have wedding photographers asking you to come back and help them again!
1. Focus on helping the main photographer. The main photographer hired you for a reason, to assist them on their wedding day. Always make sure to assist them when they need the help. Offer to carry things, hold reflectors for them, or even just be ready with water for them. They may not always ask you for help, but you can always offer when you think they may need it! Also remember to ALWAYS represent them and their business when you're working under them.
2. Be creative with different angles. The number one thing to remember when photographing as as a second shooter, photograph different angles. Never shoot directly behind the photographer, as this will leave the couple with fewer images, because they will all look the same. Use this time to get creative, and learn new angles. I have gotten some of the best shots looking at weddings from a different angle. Also, try and use a different lens than what the main shooter is using. This will provide the couple with a variety of images. You need to remember you're not only serving the photographer, you're serving the client also.
3. Always be on time! Always, always, make sure you arrive to the wedding on time! If you can arrive earlier, that is even better. There is nothing worse than rushing into the wedding stressed out, because you were late. It really shows that you value the photographers time and care about being there when you show up and are ready to go. When you're early, this also gives you time to synch your cameras, swap cards, and be all set to go!
4. Bring along emergency items. It's always a great idea to have extra items on hand, you never know when you might need something that the main photographer could've forgotten. Some things that you could bring that most people forget are, bobby pins. Bobby pins can be used for everything and are usually the most forgotten thing. A few other things I like to bring are, ribbon, bug spray, sunscreen, small snacks, and advil. These are all simple things you can bring in your bag and have on hand if you need them!
5. HAVE FUN! Guests are always watching you and paying attention to how you present yourself. Always be sure to smile, stay relaxed, and focused. Even if things are falling apart, you don't want guests to think anything's wrong, just smile and stay happy, and they will assume everything's okay! Always just assure them that everything is okay!
I hope these tips are helpful for you to be the best second shooter for all your weddings!
P.S. A HUGE thanks to all of my awesome second shooters for all these behind the scene images of me!
