Hello! I am new here look forward to getting to know you all!
I came across this post, which got me thinking....do you guys use a second shooter? Is one always really necessary? I never use one and am able to capture all the moments of a day with extremely happy clients. I feel like it's a waste the majority of the time and everyone here uses one because other photographers use it as a "selling feature".
http://nicolesarah.com/why-you-dont-need-a-second-shooter-for-your-wedding/
Thanks Alex!
I've never seen it as a "necessity" but more of a convenience with varying levels of value. It's nice to be able to say "I'm gonna go look into a light set-up for nightshots, can you hold down the dance floor for a few minutes?" I've also worked with a pretty injured ankle, and having a second who could move a little faster was a huge relief. I could have done it solo, and most of my weddings are shot solo, but I'll never* turn down a capable extra set of hands.
*If the wedding is very small and intimate, I think a second shooter is by and large a bad idea.
You don't "need" one depending on the size and style of the wedding but there are a couple of good reasons for a second. With modern documentary styles people are expecting a good coverage of everything from all the people down to the little details and it can be hard to get into the venues before the guests if you're busy with other shots.
- Back-up, just like your second camera body, what happens if you come down with food poisoning, heat stroke, etc in the middle of the wedding, or just go to the bathroom at the wrong time?
- Assistance with creative shoots from holding stuff to scouting ahead while you shoot to shooting some groom stuff while you shoot the so no-ones standing around.
- The way my partner and I work is that she spends all morning with the bridal party and I hang with the groomsmen, that way there's no rushing around trying to cover both and we don't miss the nice touches (while she's outside the church getting the brides car pulling in, i'm inside getting the worried looks on the grooms face as the best men give him a hard time or while one of us is doing group shots the other is getting candids...)
- moral support if you're exhausted, hungry, sore, etc...
Lizzie and I have shot huge (2000-3000 guests) Cypriot weddings and it would be so hard without a second...
I've always shot solo and always will. I have no need for one.
Don't try what? A second... I have no intention of doing. They increase my workload, slow me down, reduce the overall hourly rate and offer little to no extra real value. Not cost effective nor warranted IMHO.
200+ solo and I'm more than happy working the way I do.
Peter, hi,
I think you are being just a tad bit closed minded. Second shooters are great to have. I've had and have been a second shooter multiple times, and as Robert said what happens if you come down with food poisoning, heat stroke, etc. You WILL miss shots, which in turn may cost you potential clients, and may even ruin the couples wedding day.
Seconds can even give you room to be a bit more creative and subsequently boost your results for that day.
I hope you give a second a chance some day even if its just to teach him/her a thing or two about weddings.
~7
If anything happens to me period the client will be affected as they are hiring "me" and is "my work". Not another photographer's. There is only one place they can get "me" from.
FWIW I I'm doing more than okay on the creativity side of things.
If people want to learn from me they pay to shadow. Not interested in a second in any capacity.
I think having a second shooter is very important! For many reasons.
-You are able to capture multiple angles of the moment.
- You never know if you camera stops working for no reason and because of it you missed the "first kiss"
-one can be following the bride while the other is with the groom. You save time here and gives you more time to be creative with your bride and groom shots when you get to them.
It hardly ever happens, but it can. It happened to me once where I lost all my getting ready pictures. That was a nightmare that came true, but because I had my second shooter I had something to submit!! IF NOT I WOULD HAVE BEEN SCREWED! You never know what can happen. It's always important to have multiple backups!!
And for many other reasons that have been mentioned already.
;)
I don't have tons of experience, but here's my take. It's nice to have a second shooter, but I offer it as an addon and the couple covers the cost. I explain the benefits and am honest about if I think their wedding needs one. The biggest concern with a second shooter is making sure they have the skill to do it, and communicating exactly what you need from them and what their role is. They need to know what their responsibilities are and exactly what you expect (how many shots, what parts of the wedding they are expected to shoot, if they should be using lighting, etc....) At the same time it's also good to give them a little artistic leeway to shoot in their own style at least part of the time. Those might be some of the best shots you get out of them. :) I really loved doing second shooting, myself. It's a nice opportunity to practice and to build a portfolio. I shot with a guy who was easy to work with and let me make decisions with my own shots, which really helped build my confidence and gave me license to get a little artsy. He put me on the groom and groomsmen and details, told me he expected at least 600-800 shots, but no more than 1000, was clear about how I should dress, what I should bring, etc...and was specific as to when I could use the photos in my portfolio. The pay was crap, but the experience was sort of invaluable. I'd even do it again. :)