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!