There’s this wonderful thing about the photography community. I’ve talked before about there being two distinct groups: the bitter, secluded group and the excited, eager to share group. I’ve been lucky enough to find other like-minded photographers who feel the same way I do and share my enthusiasm too 🙂

I’ve been lucky enough to be asked to second shoot a few weddings for the awesome Sarah of Sarah Jane Photography. Second shooting is an awesome experience. It is a great way to provide a photographer with experience in a no (or little) pressure situation. And it’s a great way to see how another photographer shoots and expand your own portfolio.

On a wedding day – there are so many shots the lead photographer HAS to get. The formals, the kiss, the walk down the aisle, and on and on and on. It’s easy to miss little moments or to not be able to get those sweet little detail shots. That’s why I always bring Ryan with me – he is someone I can absolutely count on to get those shots I might miss and he has the artistic eye to be able to do it.

So my first second shooting gig was last year with Sarah and we were headed to Springfield, IL and Elkhart for Breanne and Brian’s wedding. So here’s just a little peek at how my day goes on a typical second shooting day…

I usually start off with the groom and the guys. On the wedding day, the bride is the center – she’s the spotlight and it’s important to get really great pictures of her getting ready and all dressed and all her details. So the lead photographer usually stays with her. So first thing in the morning – it’s my job to capture the guys getting ready, the details of their tux, cufflinks, etc.

When we get to the ceremony site, it’s then my job to help Sarah second shoot the first look (if the couple chooses to do it). Any details of the ceremony site, any guests, and any other little thing that might come up. The moms of these two sweet flower girls asked me to take a picture – so it was perfect for Sarah to have me there to do that while she was busy getting all the formals taken care of.

Once we get to the point where the ceremony is getting ready to start, Sarah is set up in the church to capture the bridesmaids and brides as they walk down the aisle. I stay back and catch any moments that may happen while they’re waiting.

For this wedding there was actually a back door to this very tiny little chapel in the country. I was able to sneak back there and photograph the bride and groom as they said their vows between the bridesmaids. So I was lucky and able to capture some nice facial expressions from the bride and groom during their service.

After the ceremony I was able to sneak a capture of this cute little ring bearer – a moment Sarah wouldn’t have been able to capture since her job was to focus on the bride and groom.

One of the hardest things about second shooting is not directing the shoot. It’s my job to back up Sarah. I can’t set up a shot and I can’t direct – that would be SO unprofessional! I have to look for a different angle, a different perspective, a detail – it’s challenging artistically, which makes it a lot of fun and I honestly feel that it helps me to be a better photographer. It reminds me to step back and look for those things. So you’re going to notice a lot of these – the bride and/or groom don’t look at the camera. But it certainly helps to add some interest and a different perspective to Sarah’s sampling for the bride and groom and potentially their album too! 🙂

It’s important to remember too – I don’t set any of these up. Sarah does that. So all these poses were set up and created by Sarah – I simply looked for a different way to capture it than the one she was shooting from.

Well I hope you enjoyed this little peek at Breanne and Brian’s wedding day and my first experience with second shooting. I’m planning on sharing a couple more weddings with you too and some tips for second shooting too 🙂 I hope you’ve all had an awesome week and have plans for a spectacular weekend! See you back here Monday!

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