the DO’s

• Shoot in raw

• Dress Appropriately

• Grab the equipment bags first and carry them from location to location

• Take/offer food and water throughout the day

• Arrive on time

• Sync your cameras before the wedding, be aware of how many photos are left on your CF card.

• Test your equipment the night before

• Shoot the wedding like it was your own and you had to edit it

• Offer to set up light stands, umbrellas, soft boxes, so the lead photographer can think about what’s next

• Run ahead and do what you can to prep the next area you are shooting

• Get Creative

• Give credit to the main photographer and list that you were second shooting

• Take test shots before the first look, ceremony, first dances and know your mark

• Stay busy or look like you are

the DON’Ts

• Get in the lead photographer’s line of sight

• Eat cocktail hour food

• Stand right before the lead photographer

• Stop taking photos if you’re uninspired

• Hand out your personal business card

• Chew Gum

• Offer your services to the main photographer’s clients at the wedding

• Take the bride and groom off to take formal photos of your own

• Check your phone in front of guests

• Get Drunk

• Pick up on wedding guests

• Post images before the main photographer has a chance to post them

DRESS APPROPRIATE LY

Our Goal is to promote a high-end brand so we ask that you look professional in what we call “Brunch Attire”. Dress as if you were going to an elegant brunch with friends or a photoshoot yourself. we like to look fashionable. no tennis shoes or jeans. if you need any suggestions on what to wear, please do not hesitate to ask.

GATHER THE FAMILY

It’s so important to help the main photographer during family formal photos. There’s a really short amount of time to execute the photos, so be sure to find grandparents, cousins and uncles so the entire group isn’t waiting for one person. 

During family formals, you will not be shooting. you will be holding our family formal checklist from the bride and calling out family member’s names and organizing all group shots. this will help the lead photographer easily capture the shots.

FIND NEW ANGLES

Don’t shoot over the main photographer’s shoulder. We will not need duplicates of the same angle. we are looking for an entirely new photo of the same moment. I’ll admit this is harder than it seems, but we appreciate creativity and a different photo from the exact same moment. 

Details:

• SHOE

• SOCKS

• CUFF LINKS

• ALCOHOL

• GROOMSMEN GIFTS

• GIFT FROM BRIDE

• GROOMSMEN HANGING OUT (Do not hesitate to give direction)

• GROOM GETTING DRESSED

  • Putting his tie Getting help tying tie Combing his hair

  • Helping his Mom/dad with boutonniere or tie

• GROOM AND GROOMSMEN PORTRAITS, IF ASKED BY FIRST PHOTOGRAPHER (Know what you’re going to do before you do it ) Walk the property and develop a game plan 

  Typical groomsmen portrait session 

• Groom, full body 

• Groom, half body 

• Groom, looking off and laughing at groomsmen

• Groom with each groomsmen 

• Groom with matching details (like matching shoes or flasks) 

• Groom with groomsmen, traditional 

• Groom with groomsmen, posed according to first photographer’s brand 

• Groom with groomsmen gathered around him, casual

• Be cautious not to cut off any Limbs or crop in too much

Ceremony Service:

• USHERS/GUEST BOOK ATTENDEES

• GUESTS SEATED WHILE WAITING FOR CEREMONY TO START

• TAKE A FEW TEST SHOTS AS GUESTS WALK DOWN AISLE TO ENSURE EXPOSURE

• OCCASIONALLY SITTING IN AN AISLE SEAT WILL YIELD THE BEST ANGLE

• VERTICAL SHOTS OF PARENTS AND BRIDAL PARTY

• GROOM’S REACTION AS HE SEES BRIDE

• BRIDE AND HER DAD, VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL

• BRIDE AND HER DAD, FROM BEHIND AS HE GIVES HER AWAY

• OVERVIEW OF CEREMONY

• BRIDE LOOKING AT GROOM

• GROOM LOOKING AT BRIDE

• REACTION PHOTOS OF PARENTS LOOKING AT COUPLE

• GROOMSMEN STANDING

• BRIDESMAIDS STANDING

• TIGHT VERTICAL PHOTO OF COUPLE

• TIGHT HORIZONTAL PHOTO OF COUPLE

• EXCHANGE OF RINGS, OPPOSITE OF FIRST PHOTOGRAPHER’S POSITION

• THE FIRST KISS, OPPOSITE OF FIRST PHOTOGRAPHER’S POSITION

BRIDAL PARTY

Focus on things the first photographer isn’t focusing on. 

• A QUIET MOMENT BETWEEN BRIDE AND GROOM

• DETAILS 

  • Groomsman’s boutonnieres 

  • Bridesmaid’s bouquet 

  • Flower girls holding baskets

BRIDE AND GROOM

• Shoot an entirely different angle.

• Use a different lens. Sometimes this is the hardest part of the day because you feel stuck with what angle to shoot.

• Be creative and enjoy the freedom to think outside of the box.

 COCKTAIL HOUR

+ CAPTURE THE ENVIRONMENT  If you can get a high angle, looking down on environment...awesome! 

Shoot Wide + CANDID PHOTOS  of guest’s faces ( Do not hesitate to ask for group photos)

Drink in hands 

Guests talking to each other 

Perfect time to capture candids of parents with their friends 

If in a pinch, simply go and snap group photos of guests entering reception

make sure to capture at least 10 posed groups during cocktail hour

RECEPTION

Always ask the first shooter what she/he wants you to do. Never assume you know what is needed.

Focus on setting the main photographer for the best photos. Help clear out all vendors for the overview room photo. + DETAILS 

• Centerpieces 

• Napkins 

• Cake 

• Place card seatings

ALWAYS ASK FIRST SHOOTER WHERE TO STAND FOR GRAND ENTRANCE.You don’t want to be in the background of his/her photo 

FIRST DANCE

(It is important to see faces during dances, make sure to avoid capturing the back of their heads)

Use a different lens than the first shooter

Don’t stand opposite of first photographer’s camera Be aware of your surroundings.

SPEECHES

Shoot opposite of what first shooter is shooting

If first is shooting speaker, then shoot bride/groom reactions If first is shooting the couple, get parents’ reactions

Bride holding a handkerchief Holding hands under the table Toasting glasses midair

CAKE CUTTING

Stand at a different angle

Use a different lens than the first photographer Get reaction shots

+ BOUQUET/GARTER

Talk to first shooter about where you should stand

If first photographer is shooting the bride, you should shoot the girls As groom removes garter, find a new angle, tell a different story