Wedding Second shooter guide

important details

  • Make sure you dress professionally and comfortably!

  • I will give you a memory card(s) when you arrive

  • let me know your preferred form of payment before the wedding day. This can be venmo, cash, or PayPal.

  • return all memory cards before you leave

  • please call/text for any emergencies or if you have questions. my number is 513-399-9462

Hi! I am so excited to work with you! Below is information to Help us achieve the best photos for the couple! I photograph weddings as a documentary storyteller. I’m less concerned with perfectly posed moments and more focused on genuine emotion, beautiful light, meaningful details, and candid interactions.

Your job is not to duplicate what I’m photographing. Instead, capture everything I’m unable to see while I’m focused on the primary events.

GEAR:

  • Dual Memory card camera (Canon preferred)

  • Flash

  • Your own backup memory card

settings & Style

Get Creative! Try to find creative ways to capture a moment while I am focused on getting the main shot. Pay attention to framing, wide shots, close-up details, and the emotions of the day. Use both ambient and flash In Low-light settings.

  • shoot in RAW on both cards

  • Set your white balance auto

  • Shoot with a higher f-stop during the day. Avoid going below 2.8. this keeps your photos crisp and ensures the subject is in focus.

  • I love grain! Don’t be afraid to turn the flash off and capture the natural light of the space

  • try to shoot both horizontal and vertical. try to get both styles of all your shots.

the process

I like to give my second shooters creative freedom. I’m photographing the main story; you’re photographing everything around it. By the end of the day, I want your images to make the gallery feel richer and not repetitive!

getting ready

Every wedding day is different. for most weddings, I will send you to the groomsmen to capture the getting ready process and details. if you are also photographing the bride getting ready, your main job will be candids and getting angels I am unable to.

  • Groom spending time with groomsmen and family

  • Groom details if wanted (Shoes, tie, cufflinks, etc)

  • groom getting dressed (tie, cufflinks, shoes)

  • Putting on boutonnieres (You might need to step in and help if it’s taking too long)

  • single groom photos & individual portraits with the groom

  • candid moments. be a fly on the wall once all the photos above are captured.

Ceremony & Cocktail hour

During the Ceremony, I will be at the front while you will be at the back. During the ceremony feel free to move around and just try to always stay Opposite of me so you can get different shots. During the first kiss, I will walk down the center aisle. You may follow and shoot over me and try to get a wide shot of the kiss.

  • Get a shot of the bride from the back walking down the aisle.

  • if you can shoot through a window or go up a balcony - go for it! This is a great time to get creative while I’m staying close.

  • pay attention to emotions, especially the parents.

Cocktail hour

During cocktail hour, I will be focusing on the formal photos. you will capture any photos of personalized drinks and the food. try to get those details before the guests all get there. this is also a time I might have you grab drinks or snacks for the couple.

you want to focus on candids during this time. once the family photos are done, I will have you join me to capture wedding party and bride and groom photos

This is also a great time for you to get creative with your shots. capture the in-between moments! or if you have a pose idea, don’t be afraid to pose the couple or wedding party!

Reception

Depending on the wedding, I might have you there to capture the grand entrance and any events that happen before dinner before sending you home.

  • during speeches, move around the tables and capture emotions and drinks being toasted. I will be focusing on the couple and the person giving the speech

  • during special dances, I will have you opposite me, but feel free to move around to get different shots!

  • When the dance floor opens, I like bright paparazzi style photos!

  • walk around and capture different groups of guests who are not dancing