What Being A Second Shooter Doesn't Mean

When you are second shooting, you are not your own photographer. Once again, you are an extension of the lead photographer. You work for them. You are part of their brand for the day.

For starters, the lead’s shots are more important than yours. Don’t get in their way just to “get the shot”. I don’t care how great it would look in your portfolio, even if you’re there to gain experience and build a portfolio, that always comes second to actually supporting the lead’s needs. There will be plenty of other portfolio building opportunities.

Since you are an extension of the lead photographer’s brand, definitely don’t talk to the client about your own photography business. Clients ask me all the time how long I’ve been shooting, and what types of things I shoot (if weddings are the only thing, for example). I will always tell them my experience, but I never, ever, ever hand them a card, show them my website, or mention specifics. I keep my answers vague and if they inquire about a particular service, I always point them back in the direction of the lead photographer’s business. Remember, they are not your client. They are the lead photographer’s client.

And because they are not your client, you should also never seek them out on social media. Your interaction with the client should end at the end of the night when you leave the wedding. On a few occasions I have had clients seek me out and add me on Facebook. At those times, I immediately contact the lead photographer to inform them that I have been contacted, and ask them what they would like me to do. Even if the lead tells you it’s okay to accept the client’s friend request, if you are ever inquired about anything photographic, you should direct them back to their wedding photographer.

Along that same vein, even if the lead photographer allows you to keep your images (and not all of them will - You are a work-for-hire contractor as a second shooter), never post them online before the lead photographer gets a chance to do so and finish with their client. Each photographer will have a different idea of what they will allow you to do with your photos, but a safe rule of thumb to go by is to never use them in your main portfolio. Use them to blog (again, only after the lead photographer has posted them and is finished with their client), but always specify that you were the second shooter at the wedding, and be sure to mention who the lead photographer was.

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