Second Shooter Guide:

Hey Hey!!

Thank you so much for second shooting for me!

I know you are experienced at what you do and have a great artistic eye, I'm so excited to work with you, and see the day from your perspective! As I've second shot a hand full of times myself. I know every primary shooter has different expectations so I just wanted to jot down what I'm looking for!

I'm a pretty relaxed shooter, I love wide angles and a documentary approach.

A little bit about me:

I have two small kids and live in chaos, so I always arrive to a wedding early just so I can sit in silence for a second.
I love my 24-70 z mount right now.
. I believe in only offering my help (with dress buttons, Boutonnières etc. ) when asked. Otherwise, I will miss the bridesmaids and groomsmen laughing at themselves. I feel the more involved I become the more " imperfect" moments I miss out on.
I'm confident in my shooting and hate culling, I don't expect you to be shooting the whole time, be strategic.

Here are a few general notes before we dig in:

Attire:

I wear all black to my weddings. You are welcome to wear whatever form of professional dress you like. I just ask that you dont wear leggings.

Food:

Let me know if you have any dietary restrictions so I can let the planner know.

Gear:

My go-to lens right now is my 24-70, I also love my 50 1.2 and 28 mm.

First thing first:

As soon as we get together on the wedding day I will give you an SD card. Please reformat it before using it so it is compatible with your camera.

During this time we will also time-sync our cameras (if I forget, please remind me if you remember!).

Prefered Equipment

Nikon mirrorless; I use two z6iii. I have extra bodies if you ever want to borrow one.
Two card slots, shooting raw on to both at the same time.
Flash, on camera is fine.
A film camera, or knowledge of film, loading, rewind etc. I even love a point and shoot!
Knowledge of how to fly a drone, I have one, it’s just really nice to be able to deligate that.

Before Wedding Check List :

Sync cameras
Trade SD cards
Talk about first look location so you know where it is.
Gather detail mats and box.

BTS:

I always appreciate behind the scene videos to use for reels. Video with sound of me posing couples to use for instruction, or short videos of myself to use for promotion are always appreciated!

Getting Ready:

Most likely you will be with one partner and I will be with the other. I ask that you place subjects in good light by the windows if possible. I ALWAYS prefer natural light. If a really sweet intimate moment is happening ( like mom is giving groom an object and groom is tearful) DO NOT interrupt to move them. MOMENT > LIGHT.

My favorite details are always actually on couple, so the groom holding his cuff links, the shoes as the groom holds them etc, please capture him putting on his shoes, his cuff links, his tie, him smoking/ having a drink etc.

If we have time before ceremony, I always prefer as many group shots as possible be done before! Feel free to bring groomsmen outside in the shade if needed.

Details:

I love the modern take of using a flash, or messy details or throwing thiings in the air. Please stay creative but get all details. These are constantly evolving for me and how I like to capture them also changes. Please make sure you get details in portrait and landscape orientation when you can, especially when it's clear the client cares about them.

I do like the modern take of doing some details during getting ready, and then a night time messy flash detail shot.

First Look:

I will ask you to help bring one of the clients to the location first, and I will bring the other to meet. This all depends on where this is taking place. Since I tend to prefer wide angles I would love you to be on a zoom or 85 to capture some details of the interaction. Please be aware the direction which I am shooting in so you are not in frame! Focus on reactions.

I will be shooting my 24-70 mm

Portraits:

For any groups over 10 people, I ask the couple to make a shot list. I will have this printed and in my backpack. I would love you to hold this and have a pen with you so you can read off the list and I can just focus on taking the shots. I prefer my 35 mm lens and 58 mm lens during this time. I will most likely ask for help grabbing those lenses right after the ceremony.

I always like to add a photo of each set of parents without the bride and groom, most likely they helped pay for the event and its nice to have them together (if they are still married). I ask that you do this after we are done with the shot list or at the reception. The questionnaire with the shot list will include family details, and if their parents are still married or if there is any family dynamics.

Ceremony:

Biggest request is to be aware of the direction I am shooting so you arent in my shots. I will generally be at the front of the aisle, I ask that you get the processional higher up in the line, then quickly get the bride from behind before tucking behind a chair or something so I can get the shot down the aisle from the front without you in it.

Please make sure my camera bag with lenses and shot list with pen are at ceremony site I will be shooting with my 28 1.4 and my 70-200 2.8

Post ceremony: Please capture the processional coming back up the line then meet me at the formal portrait location, have shot list and lens changes ready.

Cocktail Hour:

Please capture landscape and portrait of ALL table details, and any other details around property. Capture candids of guests and if you notice groups of people ask them to take a group photo smiling at the camera. I really hate doing grab and grins myself so if you can I will appreciate you forever. A grab and grin is asking for couples or guests to smile at the camera. This is a great time to find parents for portraits and any bridesmaids and groomsmen with their significant others.

Please also use this time to capture tablescapes if you are allowed in reception area.

Reception:

Capture the food as it comes out or is plated, any signature cocktails being made, any signage .

What I will be using :

dance floor : 24-70

first dance: 24-70

Speeches 70-200.

otherwise I will be shooting wide depending on venue.

During speeches: I encourage you to focus on the reactions of the guests, over the speaker, you may notice someone different than I do, and it's that split second laughter that is so important.

Don't forget landscape and portrait details !

Process and image use:

I'm happy for you to use any image you take and edit for your portfolio or social media. But I ask that you wait at least 3 months from date of wedding. Please do not tag bride or groom in your instagram and tag me as the primary (on social, I ask to be tagged in the body of the text and on the image). If bride and groom have friend requested you, I ask that you block them from your post. This is just because I may have not delievered the images you choose (I generally don't use a ton of my seconds images).

I ask that you do not use any images for any type of submissions for publications.

I would prefer you shoot one slot on my SD cards, and that we sync our cameras before we begin. I would love the cards handed to me at the end of the night. I do ask that you keep the images from your cards for at least a week to give me time to get home and backup just in case !

BTS:

I always appreciate behind the scene videos to use for reels. Video with sound of me posing couples to use for instruction, or short videos of myself to use for promotion are always appreciated!