My motivation for finally getting my butt in gear was my friend, Sarah. Sarah is a truly amazing photographer in her own right. *minor plug for my friend: find her on FB, here or her gorgeous blog, here.*

Sarah focuses primarily on families and concept shoots, but she will be shooting a wedding soon. During a Skype conversation we had, she asked about second shooters.

Now, I’m just going to lay it on the line right here and now…I have very strong opinions on the ethics of second shooting.

Honestly, I don’t want to go into great detail as I’d like to avoid any sort of backlash from 2nd shooters or main shooters/photographers.

So the approach I’m going to take is:

- I will post several links (and quote the author) to articles by photographers whom I respect. I found these articles VERY useful. *Parenthetical remark: I don’t necessarily agree with every single piece of advice in these articles. I do, however, find them to be helpful in a general sense.*

- I will mention a couple of tips for the main shooter.

- I will mention a couple of tips for 2nd shooters.

The Links/Articles:

Top 10 Tips for Second Shooting  by J.D. Star

“Never hand out your business card. One of the first weddings we photographed together, we had another photographer tag along with us. The night was flowing nicely until I overheard the third shooter pass his/her business card to a wedding guest…and passed his/her studio name along. I can’t explain how rude this is. On a wedding day, a second and third photographer is just that…an accompanying photographer to the main photographer’s studio. If a guest asks for a business card from a second shooter (which happens often!), the second shooter should always pass along the main photographer’s business card. Period. The end.“

“Leave the ego at the door. This one doesn’t need much of an explanation as it’s more a rule for life in general. Just remember, as a second shooter, your number one goal is to shoot the best you can and make the main photographer’s life easier…even if it means missing the best photo opportunities at the wedding. Yes, everyone prefers to shoot the bride getting ready, the bride and groom portraits, and getting the First Kiss standing in the center of the aisle. But chances are, it ain’t gonna be like that.”

How to Be a Good Second Shooter by Drew B over at Mom*tog.

“If the photographer does not have a contract for their second shooters ask them BEFORE you agree to shoot with them how and where you are allowed to use their images.”

“Remember, as a second shooter you do not have a model release from the couple.” “The couple could sue you for using their images without a release.  Just saying.”

Second Shooting Weddings: From Behind Two Different Lenses by the fabulous Kristen Weaver and her 2nd shooter, Reema.

“I wouldn’t recommend that anyone ever even consider starting a wedding business without second-shooting first.  There is honestly just no way to know what you’re getting into otherwise.

Starting a wedding photography business is a huge commitment, and there is no better way to decide whether it’s the right path you want to take than to second shoot.” -Reema

Tips and Advice for Second Shooting Weddings by the incomparable Neil van Niekerk.

“Don’t befriend the main photographer’s clients on Facebook! (This happens!)
Don’t schmooze with the other vendors.
Don’t pass this off as your own gig.”

 
Tips for the Main Shooter (assuming that they don’t already know these things):

- HAVE A CONTRACT. I bought mine here. Go through the contract and explain everything. Ensure that the 2nd shooter is comfortable with everything in it and that it is legally binding in your state/the state of the event.

- Be clear about your expectations. It’s better to get it out in the open beforehand.

- Give them a deadline to have their images turned into you.

- Be respectful! We were all there once. The 2nd shooter isn’t your personal gopher (unless that’s what you’ve both agreed upon).

- Ensure that the 2nd shooter has the same ‘luxuries’ as you do. If you get a meal, ensure they do too. If you get a place to sit, ensure they do too. *By “luxury”, I do not mean pay, unless that is part of the agreement.*

Tips for 2nd Shooters:

- Dress appropriately. If you aren’t sure, ask.

- Be comfortable with everything in the contract. If you aren’t, don’t sign it. If you sign it, you are legally bound to adhere to it.

- Try to stay out of the shot. I know it happens sometimes, but you should ALWAYS know where the main shooter is.

- If the clients/guests ask you something, ALWAYS defer to the main photographer. It is their gig.

- If the main photographer asks you to take charge of something like the formals, be clear that the main photographer has asked you to do so. In other words, never act as though you are taking charge of a situation independent of what the hired photographer has asked you to do.

- Be grateful/humble. I don’t want to sound like a jerk, but it can be very hard to get a 2nd shooting gig for a wedding. So, be grateful for the experience because quite honestly, it’s invaluable and you are lucky to be there (if you’re new/not already a pro). There is always another 2nd shooter that would be more than happy to be in your shoes. Oh yeah, wear comfortable shoes!

- Be professional. This should go without saying, but don’t bring your cell phone in/don’t text, don’t butt into conversations, speak when spoken to, NO foul language, be modest and kind, & above all, have the main shooter’s back.

If you rock at 2nd shooting, you will get asked back again and again. In addition, you will gain infinite experience.

I’d like to say that I’ve been VERY lucky as a second shooter. The photographer I second shoot for is gracious, easy going, great at what she does, is willing to teach me new techniques, happily gives me responsibility. PLUS, she leaves me to do it and doesn’t micro manage me. She trusts me. *insert happy face*

She has also put up with my mistakes. *insert sad face*

Example: A loooong time ago, I was asked for my business card at her wedding. I really had no idea that by giving the guest my card, I was doing something unethical, but in my opinion, I was.

I know NOW and have yet to forgive myself for it. She never said a word. Shortly after, I learned what a huge ‘no-no’ this is. Ever since, I don’t even bring my cards! If a guest/clients asks for a business card, give them one of the main shooter’s. Period. Cases closed.

If someone asks you what the name of your business is, you reply with the main shooter’s business. “I’m here representing S0 and So/Yadda Yadda Yadda/etc. Photography.”

I hope this blog post helps at least one person. If not, I will give it another shot in a different post. However, if even one person gains something from this post, then it was totally worth it.

Until next time,

XOXOX -erica

I answered. A lengthy, yet entertaining conversation ensued.

We talked a lot about photography (he is a serious hobbyist), but the main focus was Amanda.

Amanda is Michael’s girlfriend. They met through a mutual friend and as Michael tells it, “As we both started getting to know each other, I worked up to ask her out to dinner. She was playing hard to get and said “Maybe”. In getting to know her prior to asking her out, I found that she was very competitive. I decided that since she was going to play hard to get, I would bet her that she would not go to dinner with me. Being that she was competitive and did not want to lose a bet, she gave in and decided to go to dinner. She won and I lost the bet, but I still won regardless because I got to go to dinner with her.
Our first date was Feb 10th, 2010 and we hit it off from there. We were official March 5th, 2010 and have been going strong since.”

Michael found out about me online. YAY for the long nights spent trying to learn SEO (search engine optimization)!

He told me that he liked my style of photography and told me he had a very special project that he was working on and wanted me to photograph it.

He was planning to propose to Amanda and asked if I would document it, but there was a catch. She couldn’t know I was there shooting the proposal. Then he threw a curve ball…it would be at 7pm at night and I couldn’t use my flash because she would see it, of course.

I think he had more faith in me and my gear than I did.

I should have trusted him because what I was able to capture was magical!

On a snowy, bitter cold night in Peoria, Illinois, the 2 year anniversary of their first date, to be exact, I hid behind cars in the snow and melted into my camera as I watched Michael ask Amanda to marry him.

Based on the series of images I shot, I think she said, “Yes.”

Michael: “I was originally scheduled to work the night of February 10th, 2012, but about a couple months prior, I learned that my scheduled would be adjusted to where I would have the night of February 10th free. It was a no brainer for me, February 10th, 2012 was the date that I decided I would ask Amanda to marry me since it was the two year anniversary of our first date. As February 10th, 2012 grew closer, all the pieces kept falling into place which kept confirming to me that I was on the right path.”
“I chose Kelleher’s as the proposal location because that restaurant is hands down, one of our most favorite restaurants in the area. I knew it would be a great backdrop for the secret photographs as well.”

This is where the story gets even better…

Not only did he want me to photograph the proposal, he asked me to blog about it so that he could surprise her with the pictures and this blog post.

So, Amanda, are you surprised?? I haven’t known Michael very long, but the one thing I’m sure of, is his love for you. You are a very lucky lady. <3

I wish you both nothing but the absolute best!

Michael, I can only hope that I did justice to your beautiful and well thought out proposal.

With that, here are your images. Enjoy!

Okay, I’ll be the first to tell you, I HAVE NO CLUE! I do know one thing, though. I am awkward and ridiculously uncomfortable in front of the camera. It is because of this and ONLY because of this that I am empathetic to people who feel the same sort of awkardness when in front of the camera.

In general, women seem to be more comfortable being photographed. After thinking long and hard about why this might be, I have come to 2 conclusions: 1. In our culture, women are encouraged to pose and have fun in front of the camera. 2. Most of us have spent most of our adolescent and adult lives looking through magazines at what?? MODELS! Over time, these images creep into our subconscious which is why I believe, so many women seem to know exactly what to do during a session. They laugh, act playful, and are less nervous and awkward.

However, most guys tend to be different. They often need direction to help ease the uncomfortableness. It is the photographer’s job to facilitate a relaxed and even fun atmosphere.

The biggest obstacle is usually, “What do I do with my hands?” Below is just a short list of ways I direct men so that they have something to do with their hands.

My all around most ‘go-to’ pose for men is:

Hands in Pockets:

Guys are always more comfortable with their hands in their pockets. They look 10x more relaxed this way.

Next is The Hand Clasp/Relaxed Hands. Even something as simple as clasping their hands together is a surefire way to relax many guys. Keep in mind, though; I don’t necessarily tell them to clasp their hands. I show them what I want them to do. So much easier for them to have a visual.

The Prop. Give them something to hold.

The image below is of a wedding I did in which the groom was a police officer. This idea was 100% his suggestion, but the principle is the same. P.S. ANY time the guy makes a suggestion, say, “YES!” It means he’s getting into it and that is a very good thing.

I just want to say 1 quick thing about the image below. This bride KNEW she wanted “fun formals” (as I like to call them) and told her wedding party in advance to be prepared for these types of pictures.

She also allotted for PA-LENTY of time to do them. That is the ONLY way these types of images come about. The wedding day schedule MUST allow for them. Period.

Put a drink in a guy’s hand and he is automatically 50% more relaxed.

Regarding the image below, yes, I often ask the groom and the groomsmen to hold the bouquets. That’s just how I roll.

The following images are variations of The Prop. In these cases, the ‘prop’ is another human being or something on which to lean.

Okay, you get the idea. Right? I know it seems like I’m over simplifying things, but the truth is, dudes are simple. Get them to at least look relaxed and you’re good. When all else fails, have them walk. Yes, walk.

I have no idea if this post will help anyone. Every photographer/client is different. There are no easy answers regarding how to make clients feel comfortable in front of the camera. I honestly believe that the ability to pose clients/get them to interact naturally is only possible after we (the photographers) have had enough experience. So keep practicing. Find some friends/a couple you know and use them as your subjects. This blog post isn’t supposed to be a blue print for new photographers, but rather a perspective of another professional. If you take what I’ve said here and simply duplicate it, you are short changing your clients, but more important than that, you are short changing yourself. Push yourself to come up with your own ideas and create a connection/relationship with your clients. Otherwise, you are riding on the coat tails of someone else and there is no reward in that. Your clients deserve more and so do you.

P.S. I recently saw a blog post by my all time favorite wedding photographer, Jasmine Star. Her approach is a little different, but perhaps it is more useful to you than my approach. Find her approach to “How do I pose men/grooms?” here.

Whether or not you are a professional photographer, if you have suggestions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.

Peace, love, and happy shooting to all!