SECOND SHOOTER
GUIDE

My General Shooting Preferences:

1. A wide open aperture
I will generally always be shooting with my f/stop between f/1.6 - f/2.0. This changes for large family photos, where I tighten up the aperture to around f/2.8.

Other than with group photos, do not shoot with your f/stop above f/2.2 or if you feel there is a necessity, please don’t exceed f/2.8. Otherwise, shoot as wide open as you feel comfortable in your ability to nail the focus. When shooting portraits, I always focus on the subject’s eyes unless intentionally trying to focus on something else like the background or their rings, etc.

2. Use flash sparingly
Let me know in advance if you will be using flash. I usually don’t use flash until the reception (unless the ceremony is also indoors). I shoot as much as I can with natural light as long as it’s possible. But sometimes flash is necessary, so please check with me first.

3. Shoot in RAW (NOT C-RAW) and shoot on two cards
Please use at least one of my SD cards. You may shoot on your own additional SD/CF card, but if you don’t have one, I can provide you with an additional card. I will take my SD back at the end of the night. Please do not to format your SD card for at least 4 weeks after the wedding.

4. Lenses
Here is a list of when and what lenses I typically like my second shooters to use, so your images look as similar to mine as possible.

Getting ready - 50mm
First look- 50mm, 85mm
Portraits - 50mm
Ceremony - Usually 85mm/70-200mm, unless it’s for a few wide ceremony shots using 35mm
Candids - 50mm
First Dances - 50mm, 85mm
Party dancing - 35mm

5. Flash and off-camera flash
Please use off-camera flashes and stands during reception to create lots of fill light and dimensional shadows. I recommend 2 off-camera flash stands placed in 2 corners of the reception room, diagonally from each other, so that at least 1 of the stands faces the sweetheart table (or wherever the couple will sit). 1 flash will be on-camera, and be bounced off the walls or ceiling. If you’re unsure, please check with me or follow where I place my own stands.

Once dancing starts, you may switch to direct flash and using fancy tricks like shutter drag if you want!

Your Wedding Day Roles:

1. Shoot groom/grooms party prep + details
This includes any visually interesting fashion or location details, candid moments between groomsmen, and the grooms party finishing up getting dressed. If at all possible, please shoot with natural light. Open all windows, turn off all lights, and place the groom in an area with a clean background -- if it’s impossible in the suite, please take them outside into nice clean shade with no spotty light. Please shoot with a 50mm lens.

Groomsmen in particular can be jerks sometimes, so if anyone gives you a hard time, let me know. It’s not appropriate and I will make sure it’s taken care of.

2. Second angle during the first look and ceremony

For the first look, I typically focus on the groom’s reaction while I ask you to focus on the bride’s reaction. Please capture a combination of full body and close up shots as this precious moment unfolds. Then when I start changing angles to capture both of them, you can start moving around to get other angles, too.

For the ceremony, I shoot the processional from the front, and will let you know where to stand. Typically, I have my second shooters shoot the processional from the back and get a few wide shots as the bride is walking down the aisle with whoever is handing her off. If possible, please try to also capture the groom’s reaction, but be aware of where I am so you don’t get in the photos I’m taking.

During the ceremony, I will shoot from all angles around the room to get a lot of photos of the couple, wedding party, officiant, family, guests, and wedding details from all angles. Please try to mirror me to get different angles and lots of variety, too.

For example, when the couple is taking turns doing their vows, I will focus on one of them, so please focus on the other person and their reactions. And vice versa when they switch.

Then I finish up in the center aisle to capture the kiss. I’ll have you join me to shoot the kiss with a 85mm (to get a close up shot) from the center unless there is a better shot somewhere else. I’ll have you capture the recessional while I follow the bride and groom out to document those first "we-just-got-married!!" candid moments.

3. Gathering candids
There are a lot of moment that I am not able to photograph because I’m focusing on the couple. Please keep an eye out for those moments and capture them naturally. For example, the wedding party’s reactions, or a sweet moment between a mother and grandmother.

4. Gather candids and grip-and-grins, aka smiling photos of guests
Please use down team, pre-ceremony time (before the ceremony has started), and cocktail hour to capture both candids and grip-and-grins, aka smiling photos of guests, of anyone standing together. Couples love seeing these photos of their guests all dressed up, mingling, and looking nice!

5.  Look for opportunities to help
Some days are crazier than others. There are some weddings where I’ll just be super laid-back and say, “Ahhh yeah do whatever...” and then there are some days where I may have you holding my camera and the bouquet and the back of the bride’s dress all at once. It’s not my goal for it to be that way, but some days just get nuts. So just be ready and available for whatever gets thrown our way and please be proactive when it comes to dress fluffing, gear carrying, etc.

6. Managing shot list
I don’t always have a shot list, but when I do, please help me keep track of the shot list throughout the day and help me make sure I capture all the couple’s requests. Things can get crazy, so it’s nice to have two people working together on this!

6. Behind-the-scenes
If the day is super laid back and we’ve shot everything we need to, plus all the candids possible, please capture iPhone photos/video and Airdrop them to me for behind-the-scenes content to send to the couple, or use for social media.

7. Defer to me on business inquiries
Please remember you are representing me at the wedding. This generally goes without saying (haha), but only because I have heard horror stories, please always refer people to me if someone asks you about the photography business.

8. Please dress professionally
I generally wear an outfit that is black, gray or navy. Sometimes t second shooter gets in my photos so it makes it difficult for me if they are wearing a print or something loud. Black slacks, blouse, jumpsuit, or dress in neutral colors are great. PLEASE NO JEANS (yes, this has happened)! If you have to wear sneakers instead of a dress shoe, please wear shoes that are professional looking.

9. Interaction / Phone calls / Texting / Etc
When shooting formal portraits, if you find that the subjects are looking at your camera, please direct them to look at my camera instead.

I know you may be getting texts and phone calls that day but please refrain from answering them in front of clients and guests. If you absolutely have to answer, please let me know and step out of the room where people are not likely to see you. I’ve had unhappy clients because of this and I don’t want something small to leave a bad impression.

Social Media + Post-Wedding Preferences:

1. Wait for me to post or blog.
First things first, I require that you not post anything on social media or on your blog until I have released the photos to the client, which is at least 8 weeks from the wedding date.

2. Please do not tag anyone from the wedding (including vendors!), but please mention me whenever you post.
As always, just mention in the caption that you shot with me (Shot for @jamieparkphoto) and link back to me on IG, or link my website if you’re posting on your FB and blog.

Do not tag clients - I understand that they might want to follow you, which is fine, but please keep a respectable boundary and do not tag them in any photos you might share online.

Ideal Second Shooter Shot List:

GUYS GETTING READY:
Lenses - 50mm, 35mm, 100mm Macro

• Groom Details: Watch, shoes, tie, cufflinks, vow books, anything monogrammed

• Editorial photo of groom’s boutonniere

• Groomsman gifts, groom gift from bride, or parent gifts

• Groomsmen Prep: helping each other flip down collars, tie ties, etc.

• Everyone hanging out

• Groom Prep Shot Ideas: buttoning cuffs, tying tie, putting on jacket, best man helping groom put on jacket, tying shoes

• Groom Portraits: groom smiling looking away, groom smiling looking at camera, groom model face looking away & looking at camera. I always have him sit and lean forward resting on his left forearm.

• Groom’s mom pinning boutonniere

• If things are running late with the women, please proceed with capturing formal groomsmen photos. Please make sure groomsmen + groom have boutonnieres on before formal portraits happen.