Second Shooter Checklist: How to Photograph a Wedding with Confidence

Many wedding photographers start out as second shooters at weddings for lead photographers. It’s the best way to get experience fast and learn tricks of the trade related to angles, lighting, posing clients, and more. Being that I have been a second shooter and am now hiring my own, I wanted to share my tips to be the best second shooter! Part of working with a professional photographer time and time again involves making sure you do your job as a second shooter extremely well. We’ve created a complete second shooter checklist to help you capture moments with confidence.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve put together a list of the most common mistakes made by second shooters:

• Charging ridiculously high second shooter rates: New photographers who want real wedding experience often charge rates that are ridiculous. Be humble, be gracious, and be realistic about what you’re really worth as a second shooter.
• Demanding that you are able to use the images you take: As a second shooter, you are hired to represent the lead photographer and any images you take for them are theirs – not yours. Bottom line – you are not entitled to those images just because you shot them.
• Showing up late: When a photographer sends you a timeline for the wedding day, I highly suggest showing up to the venue at least 15 minutes before the actual start time. If you show up exactly at the start time, you’re late.

Step-by-Step Second Shooter Checklist

Step 1: Learn the Photographer’s Style

Before photographing with the photographer, take some time to study their portfolio. Pay close attention to posing, overall aesthetic, colors, and even the character and tone of their events. Mimicking their style allows you to hone your craft.

Step 2: Understand Which Photos You’re Responsible For

Before the wedding day itself, ensure you are on the same page about which photos you are responsible for at the event. Have a conversation with the photographer and study the shot list closely. The last thing you want is miscommunication or mixed signals on the wedding day.

Step 3: Know the Timeline

Understand what is happening and when, how much coverage you two are responsible for, and be aware of keeping up with the timelines as best as you can. You don’t want to be the reason the wedding runs behind.

Professional Tips for Success

• Be Aware of the Main Photographer: One of the main reasons lead photographers hire a second shooter is to capture the wedding day from different angles and perspectives. If the main photographer is taking wedding portraits, you want to be aware of your placement to ensure you don’t appear in their shots!
• Do Not Promote Your Own Photography Business: For that day you are an extension of their business! If people ask for your business name, give out the name of the main photographer.
• Pay Attention to Details: Try to be helpful by looking out for such details like a disheveled train on the Bride’s wedding dress or a wonky stray hair. Fixing them saves the main photographer from wasting valuable time.
• Take Behind the Scenes (BTS) Photos: People love seeing BTS shots, and they are so important to share on websites and social media. I LOVE when my second shooters do this task without me even having to ask.
• Don’t Just Be a Shooter; Be a Helper: Having someone there to anticipate needs ahead of time, whether it is fetching a bag or handing me a bottle of water, is INVALUABLE.
• Get Permission Before Sharing: Second shooters should always communicate with the main photographer and ask what their rules are on sharing photos. A general rule of thumb is to NEVER share photos before the main photographer!