Second Shooter Guide
ERIN KAIULANI PHOTO
Whether you have second shot with me for years or are new to shooting with me, this guide is created to keep us on the same page so the clients are served well and consistently.
Over the years one thing I have found that my clients want is for us to capture the little moments they didn't know happened. This guide is designed with that in mind!
Thank you for taking the time to read through this guide! Below are full wedding galleries for you to view.
Thank you for second shooting with me!
WHAT I NEED FROM YOU
01
Gear + Shooting
I prefer my second shooters shoot mostly with prime lenses. My 50 1.2 will be on my camera most of the day. I will use zooms as needed typically during the ceremony. If you don't know which lens to use feel free to ask, but when in doubt, use the 50! I typically shoot at a 1.8 most of the day, unless I need more in focus like group photos and detail shots. I shoot with one camera and will give an SD card to shoot on. Please make sure to shoot in raw format and time sync your camera to your cell phone.
02
Getting Ready
I'd love for you to capture the grooms items. Shooting at a higher aperture is welcomed here! Usually the guys don't have a ton of details, but please grab whatever he has. You might have to ask him for his shoes, watch, cologne, cufflinks, etc. For getting ready shots, please clean up the room, and shoot with him facing the window for best light. Use flash if needed.
03
First Look
For first looks I will place you on where to shoot. When in doubt trust your judgement, if the angle isn't right, feel free to move. During this part of the day (or any part you are helping me photograph the bride and groom) the most helpful things you can do is:
Help fluff the dress
Take video BTS on your phone
Capture different angles
FORMALS
What do I do during cocktail hour?
Depending on how this falls on the wedding day you might be at cocktail hour. If you are with me during this time, the most helpful thing you can do is help call out the names, or gather couples to capture. The more people photos the better! If you have nothing to do, photograph the people I am not, or capture BTS. Some of my clients favorite photos are the ones they didn't ask for. Make it a priority to capture parents (if they are together) bridal party members with their significant other, kids by themselves, etc. The people that are here at this time are usually very important to the bride and groom.
How do you like to capture full bridal party?
I usually love to have us capture the bridal party together. You will handle photos of the bride and groom with each member of the bridal party, while I'm capturing the group shots. Once I'm done with the bride and her bridesmaids I will send them to you for the individuals. At this time I only need a full body and a portrait (waist up) both should be vertical. If we aren't together, please plan to get the guys with each groomsmen as well as the group shots. I prefer the 50mm when possible here!
* Avoiding cropping feet and limbs, this goes for any guest portraits you take.
CEREMONY
Before the ceremony, you may need to capture ceremony details alone. I love to see a few wides (portrait and landscape) as well as some close up details of the ceremony. Walk around the space and look to see if there are any interesting angles. Remove any mic stands, or other distracting objects out of the view. During the ceremony, I prefer my seconds get tight shots. Usually a 70-200 is ideal. Try to focus on emotion. Look to grab a photo of each parent and grandparent as well as a close up of the bride and groom. If there is time feel free to swap lenses. I love when my second shooters get opposite angles as me! When the bride walks down the aisle, I'd love if you try to capture two things:
The grooms reaction (if able)
The bride from behind walking down the aisle
COCKTAIL HOUR
My couples are loving more and more of cocktail hour. This part of the day I used to struggle with, until it clicked…. This is one of the most special parts of the day to capture because the couple doesn’t really get to be apart of it, at least not for long!
Don’t forget to capture: guests, cocktails, food and musicians
I would love for them to feel like they were present during this time, even if they weren’t. Below are some examples of what I love to see.
THANK YOU!
I appreciate all that you doing being a second shooter. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I created this guide with the sole purpose of making sure my couples have their day well documented and to make it easier for my second shooters to know what I need rather than guess. If anything seems unclear or overwhelming please let me know.
I am so happy to have you on my team!
