How To Be A Good Second Shooter
One of the things that frustrates me the most about wedding photography is having to use a second shooter. Don’t get me wrong, I love having a second shooter there with me. I love having someone to talk to and bounce ideas off of. And I love knowing that someone (hopefully) has my back. But, I really don’t like having to rely on someone else. I like to do things myself and I want them done my way. It takes a lot for me to trust someone else to do my job as well as I can do it.
Some of you may have seen my frustrated Twitter and Facebook posts this weekend. I’m too trusting of a person and I trust my second shooters until they give me a reason not to. I’ve realized first hand (and too late) that I must have a contract with my second shooters and it’s probably a good idea that you do too.
If you want to be a good second shooter who gets asked to shoot again, here are some pieces of advice:
1) You are there for the photographer that has hired you. Don’t be too proud to carry bags or get the main photographer water. You are there to help make their job easier.
2) Stay out of the shot! I’ve had a few second shooters that have shot with me for the sole purpose of building their portfolio and not caring if they got in my way. Do you think the bride and groom want you in all of their pictures? Be aware of the where the main photographer is shooting and stay out of the way… even if that means that you do not get the shot.
3) If the photographer does not have a contract for their second shooters ask them BEFORE you agree to shoot with them how and where you are allowed to use their images. Can you blog them with a link back to the main photographer? Can you use them on your website? If in doubt ASK the main photographer. Remember, as a second shooter you do not have a model release from the couple. Before investing in a magazine ad with an image of a couple that you do not have a model release for you probably want to ask if it’s okay. The couple could sue you for using their images without a release. Just saying.
4) Dress and act professionally. Sounds easy right? You’d be surprised!
Ask the photographer what the dress code is if they do not inform you. I ask my second shooters to wear all black so if they do get in my shot they don’t stand out. Because, yes, I did have a second shooter wear a tan polo shirt and tan pants to a wedding. Yep.
Don’t strike up a conversation with the bride and groom (or any of the wedding party for that matter). Be kind and courteous and speak when spoken to. This is their day. Not yours. Let things happen naturally and don’t force conversations. I like to stay in the background and I like my second shooters to do the same.
5) Put the phone away. Don’t text, FB, Tweet during the wedding in front of the clients. It’s totally fine if you need to check in with the kids or whatever, but do so discreetly. Oh, and don’t take a phone call unless it’s an emergency (because that has happened to me too!).
6) Don’t drink. Another one that you would think would be easy, right? But the same person who wore all tan had a beer at the reception. Yep. That second shooter was a winner. Surprisingly, I didn’t ask him to shoot with me again.
7) Anticipate what the main photographer will need before they ask. If this was your own wedding what would you need?
Do not hand out your own business cards. Under any circumstances. This is a sure fire way to not get asked to shoot again with that photographer (and probably their photographer friends because they will go and tell everyone what you did). Even if someone specifically asks you for your card DO NOT GIVE IT TO THEM! I love it when my second shooters ask for a few of my business cards so they have them handy if someone does ask for their information. It’s actually probably a great idea to just leave your cards at home. The main photographer has worked hard to book this wedding and make the connections. Is it really fair that you come in and start advertising your own business when you haven’t done any of the work?
9) Wait until the main photographer is done shooting until you start giving suggestions for direction or posing. On a wedding day we are usually so pressed for time and there are certain things that I know I want to accomplish in a short period of time. If I have extra time I will always ask my second if they have any ideas or want to try something out. I love it when my seconds have their own ideas and are excited, but unfortunately, there isn’t always time.
10) Don’t ask too many technical questions during the wedding. I’m all for answering the questions of my second shooter, but know that there is a time and a place. If the main photographer is rushing to get something done wait until there is some downtime during the reception to start asking questions.
11) Get the images to the photographer in a timely manner. Burn the discs and mail them out as soon as possible. The photographer is on a deadline to get those images back to the client. I have learned to not pay my seconds until I get the images because I’ve had a few issues with second shooters not sending me the images.
12) Be respectful. Always think that if this was your own business how would I want the situation handled? Don’t do anything that you wouldn’t want done to you.
Reading these over it sounds a little harsh. I am still a little upset over what happened to me. I give my second shooters the utmost respect. Those that give me respect in return I do whatever I can to help them out. I love sending over referrals to them. I answer whatever questions they have and teach them things that took me a long time to learn. I support their business. I want to help people who help me. But, if you break any of these rules you will for sure not be asked to shoot with me again.
I have had one awesome second shooter who shoots with me about 75% of the time when she’s not shooting her own weddings and I just want to publicly thank her for all of her help and support. Tracy Blake is the best second shooter a wedding photographer could ask for. This is her second season with me and I totally appreciate how unselfish she is and how she always treats my weddings as if they were her own. She’s a hard worker, a great photographer, and she always brings me a Coke at dinner 
She does have one downfall though. She always forgets to remind me to do the ring shots! Kidding, Tracy! I really appreciate you, Tracy! Thank you for everything you do for me and my clients. I wish every second shooter could be as awesome as you!
About DrewB
I’ve started this blog as a way to connect with other moms who love photography. Whether you are a professional photographer who is looking for advice on how to manage your own business and your family or if you are a mom who is looking for tips on how to take better pictures of your kids, I hope that you can find some good information and be inspired!
AMEN to ALL of that! Boy it’s frustrating when a second shooter doesn’t have the main photog’s best interest at heart. It’s all about using your established name/your clientele for their gain. Thank you for posting this!!!
Thank you so much for the advice! I am actually doing my first wedding in October and I will have a second shooter with me. Thankfully he is someone I know and trust…I say that now:) I definitely don’t want to have any problems, especially on such an important day.
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Love is in the Air =-.
My brother is a computer programmer by day and second shooter by weekend/night (for Kathryn Krueger: http://kathrynkrueger.com/blog ). He has no ambitions to start his own business but with over $10K in gear, second shooting allows him to use all of it on a regular basis doing what he loves best: shooting. He has been Kathryn’s second for three years now and she’s training him to blend seamlessly into her style and I have to say – she doesn’t always acknowledge which shots were his in the blog – it’s hard to tell which ones were his when she presents the images online.
All this to say: Everything you have said above, he has told me at some point. I do *not* think you are being at all harsh above; it’s common courtesy and common sense! So sorry you had an awful experience with a second shooter!
.-= Jennifer Barnes´s last blog ..twilight in the city =-.
It’s like you are in my head. Thanks for the straight talk about second shooters. That’s why I love this blog. There is not beating around the bush!
I can’t believe this, Drew! Someone was drinking a beer and handing out business cards? I know nothing about being a second shooter, but you would think some of this would be common sense! C’mon people!
.-= elizabeth´s last blog ..Father’s Day Celebration =-.
I am sorry you are going thru this. I am learning that in this business some people do not have your interests at heart only their own
I am learning this the hard way too…
.-= Noel´s last blog ..Watermarking Photos – Why I watermark | local photographer Plymouth, MI =-.
WOWZA. The nerve of some people… I just don’t understand it. I would totally be a second shooter for you if I lived near you!
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Happy Father’s Day =-.
The sad part is that any of this even needs to be said! IMO all of these things are just common sense. I have had the pleasure of being the second shooter for my husband, but I know there will come a day when I cannot and it’s crazy to think that there are people who really need these things pointed out to them. I am bookmarking this page for him to share with that person when it becomes necessary!
Oh sweetie, you don’t sound harsh AT ALL. You would think this stuff would be totally common sense!
.-= Sarah Craig´s last blog ..You are NOT going to believe what I did today. =-.
Sorry you had to go through this. I had a horrible situation with another photographer just last week when I was assisting her with a portrait session. None of what you wrote was harsh. MORE people need to read this and understand the common courtesy, tact, and rules of second shooting. It’s their own business/butt on the line. In my case, the other photographer didn’t know what to do with a second shooter, which in turn burned a lot of bridges for herself. Thanks Drew!!!!
Soooooo true. I book my own weddings and use second shooters and I’ve had some awful experiences. But I also LOVE second shooting, and these are all things I think about. Especially the business card thing. When you’re a second shooter you are employed by the photographer… not the bride… so it changes things. I can’t believe you’ve had people not give you images!!! Sorry this happened.
drew, thanks for listing this! it does need to be said, and it actually came at a time when i needed it! i’m second shooting my first wedding this weekend so i now know what to ask the photographer and what not to do! i love all your advice, so thank you!
All of the things you listed seem to be obvious, but some people have their heads up their butts
Great advice! Sorry about your bad experience. Thanks again for all of your great advice and tips!!!
great, great, great list.
thanks for sharing!
.-= Elizabeth Priddy´s last blog ..new life =-.
Mario just got a new apple laptop and got a free iPod w/ it. Nana gets the educator discount!
I think I might have something useful for you as a second shooter for weddings. I use all my dads cards and give them to him when they are full. It’s a time saver. We have a great team. If you find one good one it would be great to keep them around. I always wear black. I have cards made with my name on them, but my dad’s business name. I had those out at weddings. One thing I don’t do is carry his bags. I have my own to carry. But I think he’s ok with it!
I think I’m a great second shooter if you are ever in the seattle area! 
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Thankful =-.
It makes me sad to know that Drew would have any problems with a second shooter. She is absolutely the easiest person to work for. She doesn’t ask for much and is so willing to help. It is an honor to work for her.
Drew it’s been a few years since I seconded for you and I was very green then–I’m really hoping that I didn’t break any of the rules out of total ignorance/inexperience! But it was great to 2nd with you and everything you’re saying here is completely reasonable. Sorry you had a crappy experience this weekend and I hope that the situation is rectifiable!
AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!!
.-= Trista´s last blog ..Yuri and Hiro Expecting! =-.
Great info! Thanks Drew.
What advise would you give someone who wanted to be a second shooter? I have been asked to shoot a few weddings coming up and have refused because I don’t have that kind of experience. However, I would love the opportunity to be a second shooter to learn from the pros and see how the process works. What is your process for looking for a second shooter, I assume we don’t advertise on Craig’s List or anything. And…hopefully I’ll get that chance to take all your advise. Thanks Drew!
Yikes…it sounds like that last one was a doozy too. That is all common sense!! I’d love to second shoot for you sometime. I always remember the ring shots.
Thank you for this great advise. I am going to be a second shooter in the fall for two weddings. It is hard to know what to expect and what is expected of you when you have never shot a wedding. You want to be helpful, but you need to know when you are crossing the line. This advise is priceless. Hey, any thoughts on a wedding guide?
O.M.G.! I could not agree with your more. AND…I totally feel your pain. At this past weekend’s wedding my second decided that she was going to leave (and did) because she was bored. She left right after the first dance.