What does a second shooter *do*?

Hey, all. I've shot some weddings for friends and family, and I'm considering

turning my hobby into a little side-business and actually trying to make money

doing wedding photography part-time. I've taken the advice of many of the

members here, and I've partnered up with a local wedding photographer who's

graciously agreed to invite me along as a second-shooter on some of his jobs

this summer. I've got my first one coming up next weekend.

 

My question at this point is - what exactly will be expected of me? What should

I be doing? I'm not acting in the capacity of an "assistant," so he won't be

expecting me to merely lug gear around. We're both bringing our own equipment

and taking photos. When he's doing formals, should I be taking the same shots,

from a side-angle? That is, in my shots, everyone will be looking at his camera

(i.e., not at mine). Wouldn't this potentially get confusing, as the subjects

struggle with deciding which camera to look at? Or should I be milling around,

taking other shots on my own while he's doing formals? Such as some shots of

other guests who aren't currently being photographed in the formals.

 

I guess I'm just worried about causing confusion, and being more of a liability

than a help. Any tips on what I should expect?

I think you should ask the photographer this question. Every photographer has different

expectations of their second. No one can tell you what he expects but him.

What they're told.

The photographer that I work with generally prefers me to get different angles and perspectives from him during the ceremony. While he does formals I usually get candids and casual fun shots of the rest of the family and wedding party milling around and waiting to get their photos taken. I If we are pressed for time I will do bride with bridesmaid and groom with groomsmen shots while the lead photographer does the big group shots (but that's only after we had been working together awhile). During the reception the lead photographer usually prefers me to focus on getting pictures of guests while he covers the wedding party. For the main reception events (cake, tosses, dances) I again try to get different angles and perspectives. Finally, always be aware of what the lead is doing, stay out of the way, but be close enough to lend a hand if needed, and be artisitic-that's one of the joys of being a second, freedom!

That's what I do, but like Anne said, you should talk to the photographer and find out what is expected of you.

A second shooter shoots. How they go about it depends on what the contracted photographer tells them to (not what some faceless people on some forum tell them to).

Michele's advice was good - Look for good moments - candids, watch kids. Listen during the formals when jokes are starting be ready for the smiles. Sometimes the best pics are after the 1st shooter takes a formal and fiddles with the camera while making a joke. Watch the faces of the parents etc. Good 2nd shooters look for a good subject with a story with a nice background ex: bored 12 year old in the front - formals shots out of focus in the back. Kids playing, B&G posing in the back. When the 1st shooter is doing bride portraits try and get a shot of the groom watching, getting both in the shot. Your shot is really PJ while the 1st shooter has a formal pose going on.

 

ONE BIG TIP: avoid shooting over the shoulder or next to the pro, people will not know which camera to look at and both of you will eyes all over the place in their shots.

A second shooter has all the fun of wedding photography with little of the responsibility. It's one of the sweetest jobs on the planet!

 

It's also a great way to build your portfolio, but you need to be clear with the first shooter about use of your images for your own advertising. Most first shooters don't mind, but if yours does, find another one. My second shooter occasionally books his own weddings, and on those occasions, I second shoot for him if I am available.

 

Again, it might vary based on who you are shooting with, but generally the second shooter wanders around and gets candids while the first shooter is busy with the formals. Or you might be asked to cover some of the preparations if you are doing split formals and the first shooter is busy with the grooms party.

 

During the ceremony, the first shooter concentrates on the bride, and the second on the groom. During the reception, the second shooter tries to be everywhere the first isn't.

 

A second photographer is also cheap insurance for shots like the kiss and the bouquet toss. I never shoot without one.

Grassy knoll?

Wow. That was brilliant.

 

Sick, twisted, and tasteless, but brilliant.

 

Kudos.