The Value of Second Shooting Tips + Tricks | For Photographers

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This year, I had the unique pleasure of second shooting for a bunch of lovely and talented photographers!  Many of you may or may not know this, but before I shot my first wedding, I had only second shot once!  I only gained practical knowledge on how to run a wedding day from one amazing photographer! Jill, I’m still forever grateful for the opportunity you gave me, and for not shaming me when my battery completely died at the reception!  Anyways, something I feel like I totally missed out on some super valuable knowledge by only choosing to do this once before shooting my own wedding.

So, why should you second shoot?  Where’s the value in it?

  • Even if you’ve attended 50 million weddings, the way things work behind the scenes run completely different than they do if you’re attending as a guest!  Second shooting gives you a peek into all things wedding day: timelines, how long the getting ready happens, where to be and when, etc.
  • You get to see how other photographers work!  Most of the time, the tips + tricks that photographers share with you behind the scenes are things that they would only share with people they do mentoring session with or with workshop attendees!  Having someone pour into you and give you direction helps to build your own knowledge and confidence!
  • Piggy-backing off of that point, I’m a firm believer in developing your own style and how to shoot… but that often comes from being taught by someone else.  For example, I’ve watched both of my sweet friends Natalie and Krista work, and they each do things differently than the other!  For me, there’s so much value in watching each of their approaches and comparing it to my own.  I can see what things I need to tweak in order to get the images that I want to be producing for my clients, and I have a point of comparison and practical knowledge on how to do that from watching each of them.
  • Often, people will allow you to blog those images as a part of your portfolio… Granted, this isn’t always the case, but getting to share the images helps build up your portfolio!  As you build it up more and more, you’ll be more likely to book clients that have similar taste and style to what you’re portraying! Win, win!

As amazing as all of these things are, you have to remember first and foremost that second shooting is not about you.  It’s about making sure that you are helping the main photographer capture the day thoroughly and creatively!  Never make it more about you than them!  That topic will get its own blog post sometime soon, but make sure you definitely always keep it in mind!

Thanks so much to all my sweet friends who gave me opportunities to shoot with them this year!  I’ve gotten to be a part of some amazing days that way!

Have more questions? I’d LOVE to answer them! Email me at lauren@laurenrswann.com!

Posted:

December 10, 2014

comments +

  1. Alicia says:

    SPOT ON! I have learned so much from second shooting — i can’t imagine shooting a wedding without having done it first!

  2. It was SO, So incredible to have you with me a few times this year! you’re so talented and you make wedding days so enjoyable for everyone. :)

    • laurenrswann says:

      Aww!! Krista, you are the sweetest!!! I was going to include a behind-the-scenes shot of you too, but I know how much you hate them! Xo!

  3. KT :) says:

    If you ever are in desperate need and need a second shooter for anything I’d love too ;) heheh!! Love you Lauren!!! xoxoxo :-)

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Wife, mama, wielder of light & joy, and capturer of moments.  I thrive off of conversation and genuine connection.  In between wrangling our kiddos, and hanging my husband, you'll find me dreaming up my next idea or creative endeavour.  It's these things that culminate to give my imagery a warmth and joy to them - the greatest compliment I could receive.

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