I want to start Wedding Photography! Part 2 { Delight & Be Savvy }

When I started second shooting it was a pretty selfish act. You may ask “why? You’re just doing your job?” Yes, I helped out, did my ‘job’ to the best of my ability, and learned a lot BUT I was truly missing out. I didn’t want to just do a ‘job‘ and the faster you can learn that second shooting isn’t about the “fast cash” it can bring, or those awesome portfolio shots you REALLY want to get or the amazing connections you can make with other vendors is truly where the magic happens and where the joy is. Its not about you and bettering yourself. DONT get me wrong, please. We should always always want to better our craft so we can Glorify the Lord with the talents and gifts he has given us but we should never be doing something to “one-up” someone else.  Especially in the photography world where I have now learned community and helping one another is key.

You know what you should REALLY be doing? Serving! Serving the photographer who has asked you to do a big job for that Bride & Groom! Go run and get water, a chair, the box of tissues you know the dad is gonna need when he sees his daughter in her wedding attire. Offer to carry bags and shoot in situations that pull you out of your comfort zone so you can effectively get the job done. Recently, I was third shooter at a wedding and it was an amazing experience, I learned SO much. Granted, I was free’d up a bit more than the other two photographers but I felt like I was able to bring a different element to the team. I was able to step back, capture unseen moments and get valuable images for the main shooter. After the ceremony the timeline didn’t go as planned and the (gorgeous)  couple was taken into the botanical gardens at sunset and I ran over to the reception area and missed (most) of what would normally be my favorite part of a wedding day, the portraits. But I got to relax, be flexible, try not to be selfish and get some awesome detail shots of this gorgeous wedding  that really helped out the main shooter deliver a fully covered wedding to the bride & groom.

As a second shooter, and a Main shooter that hires assistants I’ve found it is SO important to stop and get a different perspective on something. Try not to always be over the shoulder of another photographer. I know as a main shooter it’s really important to get those key images and sometimes miss out on something a little more creative on the ordinary. Recently when I was third shooting the B & G I stopped taking pictures and was handed the bouquet to hold. I wanted to find a different perspective than the other two shooters so it wasn’t overkill and hey! What a cool time to experiment. So I started to shoot THROUGH the flowers, and it was really fun to try something new and I was proud to hand my images over!

Lastly, ALWAYS keep the company/photographer who hired you in mind, don’t pass out your  business cards or talk bad about who you are working for, strive to do your best with confidence and a smile on your face and I just KNOW you will go far.

Feel free to leave questions in the comments!

p.s.  If you’re curious, you can view this full wedding here on my personal blog!