It might be a dumbass question, but exactly what would a second shooter do?

68lbs

68lbs

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...at a wedding.

I've heard the term mentioned plenty on here, and people seem to want to take on the job 'for experience'. But exactly what does it involve? And do you need to be good to do it? If so, how good? ...or rather, how bad can you get away with being? :lol:
 
Last one I saw focussed more on candid shots while the main photographer looked after the main party and groups.

I'm sure if varies from engagement to engagement though.
 
Capture candid stuff, go and shoot the kids (not literally :eek:) while the bride/groom are having their portraits done, capture expressions during speeches, pretty much just shoot all the stuff the main tog can't because they're busy somewhere else!

It depends on how good the main tog is. If they're bloody fantastic, don't worry about being naff. If they're rubbish, you need to bang your heads together to get some good pictures worthy of an album.

Taken from thin air, btw. That's just what I'd assume they'd do!
 
it would be the 2nd photographer, who will be taking candid pics while the main tog is busy dealing with the formal stuff. Basically meaning they get 2 sets of images at the end from different angles/vieewpoints. the 2nd tog may be sent doing the running about bag carrying
 
not a dumb ass question at all :thumbs:

i would sa they can do alot

1 candids when the main tog is on the groups
2 take some pressure off the main tog
3 help with reflectors and off camera flashguns
4 arrange people
4 and the list goes on

but main one get some well needed experience;)



md:thumbs:
 
I've been second togger (couple o years ago now) at several weddings. As said it's mainly to get the candid stuff/ alternative view of the day. Not that I'm biased :) but I think often you can get the better/ more creative shots this way too.

It's a great way to learn, as effectively you are doing a pressurised event like a wedding, but with very little pressure on you, as that all falls on the main togs shoulders (as it should - they're getting paid more!)
 
Dangleman said:
but I think often you can get the better/ more creative shots this way too.
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most likely, since the main tog is probably get the shots that sell better(as in posed etc...)
 
Sounds interesting... and definitely a good oportunity to try photographing people.

Ok, the million dollar question... in your opinion, could I do it?

PS: Cheers Sean, that means a lot someone taking time to complement me like that :big smilie:
 
if you can find a tog looking for one who thinks you will be an asset then yes. a lot arent overly keen in truth as they will most likely either have someone, or will view you as future competition... if you had a handful of wedding bookings you could take with you at a good price, it would help:thumbs:
 
I have just contacted someone who is looking for a second shooter, which is why I posed the question. I didn't want to sound too stoopid when we speak. The position may be filled, but I thought it was worth a punt.

Now I've got the wobbles though, and am wondering if I'd be upto it. I would rather people told me "no, your pics suck" if that's the case. If I am ok standard, then I will have confidence in my ability. I'm just not sure how good/bad you need to be. Bit like another thread running today. ;)
 
it might not be whether your good or bad, it is whether your styles match or clash...

if everything you do is B & W and he shoots oversaturated colour, they might not go well together in an album. just come across as confident and let your images do the talking, do you have a link to a flickr or anything to look at?
 
get out there over the weekend and capture some street candids, then pop along to the village hall in the evening and see if there is a party or anything, find out whos it is and ask if they mind you taking some pics:shrug:

should help boost your site on people pics(not looked yet though)
 
68lbs said:
...at a wedding.

I've heard the term mentioned plenty on here, and people seem to want to take on the job 'for experience'. But exactly what does it involve? And do you need to be good to do it? If so, how good? ...or rather, how bad can you get away with being? :lol:
Click to expand...



A Second shooter would be sent to do dress shoots for bride and follow them around and other photographer will be at event shooting arival of the wedding cart, and then taken different sides to get different angles,

it also means the client gets more images to choice from and different photographer shooting styles,


:clap: ;)
 
I am a second shooter, I work with DiddyDave and we work well on our own with the images we produce but also well as a team.
The first one was OMG what do I do! I basically had the Tamron 90mm on, and it didnt come off. I shot everything and everyone at f2.8! But it was to focus on the children, and to get the detail shots.
Dave and I never shoot with the same lens, If he's shooting wide I'm shooting up close. Even with the Bride & Groom. I will stand near-by, or even at a complete different direction, BUT They'll have close and closer shots.

I process a few of my favourite [my top favourite] shots when I get home and upload them to flickr, for my own use - however Dave gets my "best" [200 sometimes 300] images and he then picks out what works best with him, what continues telling the "story" of the day. And they are all processed using the same action, so that the different processing styles do not stand out.

If you want to view some of the stuff I have done you can visit This set on my flickr.

Anymore questions I'll be glad to help if I can :)
 
68lbs said:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68lbs_on_flickr/

Not many people shots though. I don't really do people, but that's more to do with opportunity and time than anything else.
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You take great photos fella - what are you worrying about (not sure I'd start with showing them train pictures though, might scare them off!). You obviously have an eye for composition and the like, so it should come naturally to you. Just do it man :)
 
Well, just had email back and the guy is sorted now. But might be needing someone come the autumn. :(

Oh, just had another email... give him a shout in July regarding wedding in September. Gives me some time to try and get some 'people' shots. ;)
 
The term second shooter does vary as often it just means a general dogsbody, or assistant to give it a proper title. When I use a second shooter it is really just to give them the experience (quite a few from here have joined me) and this year I would expect them to be taking some candid shots and working areas where I might not be, their services will also be called upon to hold lights,reflectors etc as and when required.

Just keep plugging away at your local photographers, if need be go and pay them a visit as opposed to e-mailing them as mails will probably get deleted straight away. I get 2-3 mails a week from students/graduates/keen amateurs asking for roles like above.
 
Always something I had consider asking togs about, but always figured I would shot down
 
68lbs said:
...at a wedding.

I've heard the term mentioned plenty on here, and people seem to want to take on the job 'for experience'. But exactly what does it involve? And do you need to be good to do it? If so, how good? ...or rather, how bad can you get away with being? :lol:
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get paid poorly for taking the pictures the main guy don't have time to do.
 
sounds like the 2nd tog gets to have more fun (and chances of a better "shot" :lol:)

I would consider doing it again actually, I helped out at my cousins wedding a bit, but hardly at all!
 
Thanks for all the posts yesterday on this. Although the 'opportunity that I stumbled upon' didn't come to anything, it has got me thinking a little. :)

Del, you've got some great pics there... I've seen em before, but never really thought too much about what I was looking at. I'm going to take another look again today. Things like detail shots (rings, hands, closeups, etc) do you take them from some distance, or stick the camera right in there. That's one thing I would be slightly worried about - getting in the way, being a nuisance, poking my lens (ooo er) where it shouldn't be!
 
depends who you shoot for.
i'm second shooter/assistant to my wife.
i organise the shot list, and get the wedding party into the apropriate groups etc.for group shots.
arrange the transport ,and all the equipment at the venues.
setup all the equipment, charge batteries, check cameras, format and sort cards etc.
i do the pre wedding shoot of the groom when needed.
wifey does do most of the main shots, and i do a lot of the candids, and stuff.
i also tend to do the interior shots of the venues(wedding and reception) while wifey takes care of the b&g.
so in my case its a little more involved than most second shooters.
but we are a married couple.
i started of f just tagging along to help out. a few years ago.
got interested and more involved.took up photography myself.improved and started shooting a little.
its now evolved to a point where it needs two of us to do the kind of coverage we offer.
and its fun too.
 
68lbs said:
Del, you've got some great pics there... I've seen em before, but never really thought too much about what I was looking at. I'm going to take another look again today. Things like detail shots (rings, hands, closeups, etc) do you take them from some distance, or stick the camera right in there. That's one thing I would be slightly worried about - getting in the way, being a nuisance, poking my lens (ooo er) where it shouldn't be!
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:lol: I generally stick the camera right in there! However, I do say to the main tog [dave] that I'm going to do them and then tell the bride and groom what i'm going to do get their hands set up right - and shoot. Generally over within a minute or so!
The bouquet details etc, I do when the bride has either put it down, or we generally put it next to the wedding cake for shots of the cake - so I do it then. I await Dave doing his "wide" shots, and then I do the details.

However, I normally shoot with the sigma 105mm so I dont really need to be "that close" but signing the register type detail shots, I make sure I'm out of Daves way - but shooting across the table to get the detail in :)

HTH
 
I was quite lucky, Julian (jpg3000) let me tag along with him for a few weddings but pretty much let me shadow him and even get in on the main shots like the B&G portraits :thumbs:

Fast forward to today, I took a second shooter along to a wedding and to be fair I did ask him to do a lot of the noddy stuff (detail shots, playing with the kids) but I also encouraged him to be creative and try new ideas. For me the second shooter is there for two reasons - to do the things I don't have time to do and to take risks I can't afford to take on standard shots.

I was very pleased with the results.
 
Working with a second can be really useful. I've got a big wedding in August and will be accompanied by a lovely lady from here. :)

I'll do the bridal prep stuff myself but I'll ask her to shadow the groom until the ceremony. We can then make sure we get two different angles on the bride arriving and the isle shots. During the ceremony, I'll be working quite close so I'll ask her to be at the back getting the longer shots, off a tripod if necessary, of the vows and rings being exchanged. That gives much better coverage.

We can work together at the formals because it is a large group and the B&G shots I won't be excluding her at all but working together to get the best pics possible. If she has any ideas she would like to try I'm happy to let her have a few minutes too.

And lots of candids :)

I much prefer to include a second and not expect them to carry anything. I'm used to working as a second myself and I've been lucky to have some amazing opportunities. So, for me, I'll be generous back. :)
 
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