Lindsey is a newborn and family photographer based in Crowley, LA. Our paths crossed three years and she now is one of my second shooters and good friends! Throughout this episode, Lindsey shares stories of her journey in the photography business and the mistakes she has made along the way. For those of you looking for tips on how to become a second shooter, she has the perfect story to learn from.
Lindsey goes into detail about the way she got into second shooting (and why?) as well as some of her top mistakes as a second shooter! We all know that second shooting is not easy so it is really awesome that Lindsey is open to being vulnerable and even offering advice to others in that process!
WHAT YOU WILL HEAR IN THIS PODCAST:
- What is a second shooter?
- Why would someone become a second shooter?
- What does the work of a second shooter look like?
- Are there any words of advice for others embarking on the journey as a second photographer?
What is Second Shooting?
Second shooting is when you are photographing a wedding as the secondary role. You typically take alternate angles and shots that add value and imagery to the gallery for a client. Occasionally, the second shooter also acts as an assistant for the primary photographer.
Why to become a second shooter?
- It is important to have a mentor/friend with experience and learn from.
- It is also fun to get a “break” from the day-to-day life of your every day job
- It is a great first step into the wedding photography world without the risk of having your own client.
A Typical Day in the Life of a Second Shooter:
The process of Second Shooting varies for every photographer but with my business…it starts a week before the wedding. Nailing down the schedule and getting to know the couple are both nice to do prior to the wedding through conversations and planning.
The day always begins with lunch; a time to catch up and discuss the logistics of the wedding. When the wedding begins, so does the “craziness” so it is best to be prepared. Since the couple spends the majority of their day with the photographers…both photographer and second shooter need to be in sync.
Lindsey says that the process of learning for her has been through trial and error. But I have gained trust in her throughout the years. For example, initially I shot all of the formals and eventually I handed over a portion of the formals to her. She says that looking back her certain aspects of her photography could have been better (but don’t we ALL feel that way)
I never had anyone to learn under but I value working with Lindsey now and it’s been so much fun to see her grow!
Tips for Second Shooting:
Find a Mentor as Soon as Possible: When you start off shooting weddings without experience or even someone to help…you are taking on a big (and irreplaceable risk). Having someone to call and ask questions of is an excellent thing to have when in that stage of starting your business.
When searching for a mentor, do your research! Find someone you really like that you have something in common with and feel you can learn from! It is a good thing to be scared of the success of the person you are learning from! It is a great feeling to know you will be challenged and grow!
Spend Time Learning Lighting: You are going to be in situations that are fast paced and pressured as a second shooter. What you do not want is to be unfamiliar with the lighting situation at hand and make a quick decision that could result in undesirable images.
When you are shooting, do not be afraid to make moves like asking the church coordinator to turn off the lights or encouraging the groomsmen to move to an alternate location! When wanting to change locations/scenarios, it is even ok to approach the person you are photographing and show him/her the undesired results so long as you have another option for her to choose from!
The more you know and the better prepared you are…the better results you will get!
Know Your Gear: Whether it is leaving your camera f-stop on the wrong setting or spinning your aperture dial…these types of errors can cause undesirable and even unfixable results in an image. With the high stress scenarios of a wedding day, it is very understandable how these things can happen.
The best way to prevent this is to know your gear like the back of your hand. When I receive a camera, lens, etc…the first thing I do is read the manual. I was recently guilty of after ten years purchasing a new camera and not reading the manual…and as a result, I completely screwed up an exit photo!This is why we should always read the manual!
Never take for granted that you know the gear without taking the time to really learn and research it. In those fast paced situations the best thing you can do is know your gear so well you do not even have to think about it!
Just a Bit of Advice:
The awesome thing about second shooting is that you are being paid to learn! Always ask for constructive criticism because it is the best way to understand what you are doing wrong and make changes for the better. Also…be open to the process! You are never too good or too experienced to learn something new! For more of my journey be sure to follow along on Instagram @catherineguidry.
LINKS REFERENCED:
Messina’s at the Terminal
www.retouchup.com
Vionic Shoes
Spider Belt
CONNECTING:
Instagram: @lindseyrogers_photography
Facebook: Lindsey Rogers Photography
SPONSORS:
Showit – User-Friendly Web Design Platform: Use code MAGIC for 10% off your subscription!
Black River Imaging – High Quality Online Print Site: Use code MAGIC for 20% off your order!
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