Tips for Second Shooting Weddings

How to Second Shoot Weddings

Second shooting weddings can be a great way to dip your toe in the waters of wedding photography. If you are not quite ready to handle taking on a wedding on your own, second shooting is a perfect learning experience to get you comfortable during the hustle and bustle of a wedding day. These are my top tips for second shooting weddings.

Get the details

Make sure to photograph all of the little details of the wedding day. You want to make sure that the lead photographer is totally covered when they're delivering to their clients. Ensure that you're taking pictures of decorations, food, smiling guests, and all of the little details that they put so much hard work into for their special day.

Shoot a lot

Shoot a lot of images. This may be a given for any event photographer, but don't be afraid to just keep snapping. You’ll want to make sure that not a single moment is messed in the best way to do this is just to keep shooting.

Review the shot list

Go over the shot list before the wedding and keep it on hand during the event itself. The lead photographer might be busy and be forgetting something that the bride or groom said was an essential shot. Double check and cross all of the shots off the list, and point out to the photographer if they are missing a shot.

Get a vendor list

Ask for a list of vendors before or after the wedding, preferably before. When you’re done shooting the wedding, you and the lead photographer can provide the vendors with images for their own social media and sites. It’s a great way to establish contact and build relationships with vendors.

Scout locations

If you have the opportunity, scout locations at the venue beforehand. If you can’t get there ahead of time, scout while there are getting ready shots happening. You’ll want to be totally prepared for whatever comes next. Getting acquainted with the venue and its surroundings will also help you feel more comfortable when you are shooting.

Make yourself busy

If you have nothing to do, make yourself busy. This goes hand-in-hand with the rule to always keep shooting. If you are not shooting at that exact moment, check your equipment or prepare your next shot from the shot list.

Stay out of the shot

If you are second shooting a wedding, it's important to remember that the lead photographer is holding the reigns. Try to stay out of their shots as best as you can throughout the day. If there are videographers, do your best to stay out of their way as well. It's important to be present, but also to be inconspicuous. You want to capture the moment, not be crouched in the background of it!

Bring backup equipment

Always bring back up equipment. Backup batteries, backup memory cards, even handy dandy portable chargers for batteries and phones. The lead photographer should have backup equipment for themselves, but in case they don't or something goes wrong, you should be ready to help them out. The most important part of the day is making sure that the clients get the results they wanted at all costs.

Feeling ready to take on the world of wedding photography?

Check out my tips for beginner wedding photography if this is one of your first weddings.