So you want to be my new second shooter…?!

First off, apologies to anyone who is not a photographer, this is an info packed little post for the purpose of sharing my thoughts and ramblings on a core component of my business, its kind of a public service announcement targeted toward photographers, so please feel free to disregard!!

Since the news of my previous full time second shooter Ryan’s departure to greener fields and full time employment hit the blog less than a week ago, I can honestly say I have been humbled by the number of people who have emailed or called asking if I needed help. Hell, one would-be photographer even begged me to take him on!!  And so to you unnamed masses, I say a heart felt thanks.  :)

So, you want to be my second shooter huh? Do you think you have what it takes? Well, do you?

HaHa.

This post is a little run down of what I expect from a Second shooter and why… Its aimed at the less experienced and as such I wont go into any great depth regarding the level of technical proficiency or artistic vision it might take to qualify. Needless to say you have to have a solid understanding of photographic basics and at least 2 creative brain cells!!

If you read the next bit and it comes across as a little “assertive”, just know that I am only trying to make a point. :) So lets not take this too seriously now, you know thats not my usual writing style!! And besides, I am a photographer, and as such there are times when English is almost a second language…

I have been shooting weddings for quite a few years now and to be honest,  while I am quite capable of doing this all by myself (and I did so for a long time, might I add), it is just easier and more fun to shoot with someone else. And depending on your talent, the additional photographic eye can make for a more well rounded coverage. And while I appreciate the help, just remember I am the one doing you the favour, it’s not the other way around. I say this because of the unrealistic expectations that some people have and also the recent experience a photographer friend had with a new second shooter, not because I think the world revolves around me (even though at times it probably does…)

I like lists, and its often difficult to blog a good list, but with this post I will be blogging quite a few!! YAY for lists!!

Essentially, as a second shooter you are there for 3 main reasons which are in the following order of priority.

1. To make my life easier.
2. To add a second viewpoint
3. To further your own experience and portfolio.

We will look at these in more detail in a moment, but first some house rules.

1. You are representing my business, so act accordingly.
2. And dress accordingly too.
3. Don’t try and pimp yourself out to guests or vendors at the wedding by handing out your own business cards or contact info or by requesting theirs.
4. You are shooting for me and my clients first, and yourself second. So you wont always get the best angles, thats just how it is!!
5. Jumping into my shot to get one of your own is not only uncool, but is probably a health and safety issue.
6. Try and avoid being in my shot as much as possible. I primarily shoot with a wide angle lens and get quite close… so chances are if you are in front of me somewhere, you will be in my shot!!
7. Never delete an image in Camera. Never. Doesnt matter how bad it is, even if you were running and the camera shot 35 blurry images of the sky and ground… I dont care.
8. I mean it, dont delete in camera, apart from the fact that you might accidently delete all your images, there is an increased risk of card corruption if you delete in camera.
9. While we are on the subject of cards, I supply all memory cards and will always try to swap them out before they are full.
10. And above all else have fun. “Don’t worry, Be happy.”

Now that we have some ground rules, lets get into it.

1. Making my life easier is a very broad statement and, within reason, it covers pretty much anything on the day that will… make… my life easier…(Strangely enough!!)

This includes the obvious things like:

• being 100% reliable, this cannot be stressed enough, its so damn important.
• helping/offering to carry gear
• helping to keep track of gear
• holding light-stands in windy conditions
• holding reflectors
• fetching non-alcoholic refreshments
• keeping track of the family/group shots
• General attention to the details, like adjusting the veil after a gust of wind etc…

2. You are there to provide an additional viewpoint to the wedding day, so that means

• look for your own angles (don’t shoot over my shoulder, that defeats the purpose of you being there)
• Shoot details, and lots of them. Both close-up and in context
• Shoot candid’s and the moments that I cannot see
• Shoot me while I am shooting
• Shoot me telling bad jokes or waving my arms around like I am conducting a symphony (I do both of those things a lot… sometimes at the same time!!)
• Just shoot !!
• Shoot with thought and consideration… and remember…
• I will provide upward of 50Gb of card space for you to use, so don’t be shy either.
• Just find that happy place somewhere in the middle.

3. You are also there for the experience, to learn, to see how I work and hopefully to score a few images for your portfolio…  So…

• Pay attention to what’s going on around you at all times, you will learn more that way.
• Be ready to shoot when the moment comes, as its often too late once you notice the moment is happening.
• Like I said before, you sometimes wont have the best angles, but if you just think a little, you can often create amazing images with what you have.
• I am there to actively help you out as well, just remember to ask questions at appropriate times.
• I have all sorts of different gear you can try out during the day… just remember to ask first !!
• And above all else, have fun!!

Apart from all that, I am looking for someone who is friendly and outgoing, but not over the top, just good with people. Someone who is 100% reliable, who learns fast, and doesnt mind a bit of hard work, photographically speaking…

Oh, and I am not looking at hiring someone permanently at this stage, I want to keep my options open, and I am willing to share with others.

So there you have it, do you still want to be my second shooter…??