Wedding photography is hard work. We’re on our feet all day, sustaining ourselves on a nibble of trail mix here and a sip of water there, all while being the vendor closest to all the action. Many times we are responsible for keeping the timeline on track, and getting people where they need to be. This is one reason why we hire a second shooter: that’s a lot of work for one person.
There are many misconceptions about the job of the second shooter. Some people treat the second shooter like their own personal servants, others treat them as though they are the main photographer holding them to all the same responsibilities.
There are three main roles that a second shooter plays.
DISTRIBUTE THE WORKLOAD
Booking a second shooter allows your photographer to be in two places at once, in a sense. While you’re getting ready, one photographer can be working with one half of the wedding party while the other goes and covers the other half. During the first look, two photographers make it easier to capture both of your reactions. It means while you are taking intimate portraits with your beloved, someone else can be covering cocktail hour, ceremony or reception details. If you don’t see your second shooter, it doesn’t mean they are off lounging around. It means they are off doing their job at another part of your event. They’re getting more coverage of your big day, that may not be able to be covered otherwise.
GET CREATIVE
A lead photographer (the one with whom you signed your contract) is focusing a lot on getting the shots that your parents are going to buy. They aren’t going to be heavily prioritizing getting fun or interesting shots until they have the shots that you expect to see in your album. The benefit of having a second shooter is that someone is there to get the images that are a little more creative or depict a different angle. Maybe you’re getting married in a church with a balcony. Your second shooter can get wide shots from the balcony while your lead gets the more intimate shots from the sanctuary floor. Maybe you’re getting married in a garden or vineyard that makes for some interestingly framed shots. Maybe those shots won’t be your favorite, or maybe they will be the centerpiece that hangs over your mantle. Regardless, a second shooter gets those shots so you have those options.
Your second photographer is available to get creative with their composition. Second shot for Aundrea Eilers.
ASSIST THE LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
This may mean that, at some point during the day, your second shooter is not actually shooting, but shadowing the lead and anticipating their needs. During bridal portraits, this might mean adjusting the train of the dress, moving a stray piece of hair, holding light modifiers or keeping track of items on a shot list. This makes things go a little more smoothly, and may speed things up. During family photos, it is not uncommon for the lead photographer to do the shooting and the second to gather people and keep track of the shot list. In order to stay out of the way, your second shooter may be sitting, walking around, or otherwise not be noticeable.
I have done some reading recently where clients have been disappointed by the job performance of the second shooter, and it was all because they didn’t fully understand the role of the second shooter. Complaints ranged from being too social with guests (in some cases, a legitimate concern, but also how you connect in order to ask for a photo) to the second shooter was always sitting down not doing anything. It may look like we’re being too social, standing around, or being lazy but that is seldom the case. As a lead photographer, I will always encourage my seconds to sit down for a minute to eat and drink, have a seat when they are assisting, lightly socialize in order to connect and get photos, take time to capture details that are not in the immediate vicinity of the wedding party. Even if you can’t see something going on, you can be certain that everything a second is doing is in service of the work.
If I am second shooting your wedding, you can be confident that I will be capturing as many images as I would if I was the only photographer there. There is always a good reason for everything I do. I take special care to make sure that everything from my footwear to my diet prepares me to be at my best for your big day. Regardless of my role as a vendor on your wedding day, I am there for you and your crew.