A Photographer’s Guide: 5 Tips for Wedding Second Shooters
Want to begin a career as a photography assistant? Are you an accomplished amateur photographer, and you want to venture into the world of the best and Most Affordable California Sikh Wedding Photography as a second photographer? Consider these photography tips.
Introduce Yourself to the Other Vendors
The wedding planner, caterer, DJ and venue staff all have their jobs to do. Introducing yourself as the second shooter of the wedding’s California Sikh Wedding Photographer and establishing a first name relationship right up front will go a long way to creating a harmonious working relationship for the whole day. It’s very important to keep firmly in mind they’re working for the bride, groom and guests, not you.
Stick to Your Assignments
If the main photographer tells you to cover the long angles and guest candids, stick to it. You should never be shooting side-by-side with the primary photographer unless specifically asked to do so. When there are lulls in the action, let your main photographer see your shots to check if that’s what they had in mind.
The more you work together, the less you’ll need to worry about mid-gig checks. It usually is a load off for the primary when they know you have some decent shots in the can.
Keep Calm
Weddings can be really stressful. People get tired, their blood sugar tanks, they’re drinking on top of all that. As a Sikh California Wedding Videography who has covered hundreds of wedding, we’ve seen people been run into by people pushing and shoving one another and more than once had people tell me how we should be doing our job.
If you respond rudely, it’ll blow back on the primary photographer regardless of the provocation. You don’t ever want to be in a position of explaining yourself.
Secure a Stack of the Main Photographer’s Business Cards
During the shoot there may be people who ask about securing the Best Cultural Los Angeles Wedding Videographer and photographer for a future gig. The business card you hand out should be the primary’s, not yours. If you’re there working for someone else, the referrals rightly belong to them.
The DJ Is Your Best Friend
Introduce yourself to the DJ and ask before stuffing anything under their table. The DJ can cue you when shots are coming up and play a longer song if you need to hop out for a quick restroom break. Be nice to the DJ and you’ll have a great reception.
Bring a Different Perspective
As a second photographer for the official California Sikh Wedding Photographer, you cannot physically stand in the same place as the lead shooter, so try to get two different perspectives at the very least. More often, second shooters endeavor to bring different artistic ideas and interpretations, and to capture moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Capture Small, Special Moments
Any given wedding day is brimming with special moments and memories-even in the background. If you want to impress the lead California Sikh Wedding Photographer and wow the your client, focus on capturing small, precious moments that are randomly happening in the audience, and leave the major moments in the hands of the lead photographer.
Be a Team Player
This is a golden rule. When you’re the second shooter you are representing the photographer you’re working for, you are never representing yourself or your own personal business. What this means is that your number one priority throughout the day is to represent the main California Sikh Wedding Photographer and his/her brand. This definitely means putting away your pride and grabbing images that aren’t always the most exciting.
Keep Your Distance
Don’t hover too close to the main photographer. Part of your job as the second shooter is to capture candid moments, and different shooting angles than the main photographer. You need to do your best to photograph everything they do, but with a different spin on it, so that if the photographer does accidentally miss a key shot, your photo will save the day! Always be conscious of where the California Sikh Wedding Photographer is standing while they’re shooting, along with what angles they’re grabbing and even what lens they’re using. You never want to duplicate shots – you’re there to provide a creative variety of images, not to duplicate the primary photographer’s images. Also, be sure to capture the detail shots – flowers, centerpieces, programs, etc.
