second shooting- what do I do?

[HillHavenStudio]

I am second shooting my first wedding (it's next year, but i am trying to be prepared), but I do not think the main photog knows. I had asked the bride, who is a good friend of mine, if i could shoot her wedding to get some experience and portfolio shots, and that I would do the shoot free, and she could buy prints if she wanted them. She said she would love me too, but she was hiring another photographer as well, and that the other photographer was not going to be at the dress rehearsal so asked if I could shoot that. I agreed, and then I started thinking about it. I really want to shoot her wedding and get the experience, but I don't know the other photographer (they are new in town) and I don't know if she has ever told them I will be there! I don't want to step on any toes or create bad blood or anything, so I was just wondering what I should do. Should I talk to my friend about it and let her work it out with the other photographer, or should I just talk to the other photographer? Or would that be awkward? I want everything to work out for the bride, the other photographer and me. Any suggestions?

Also, what are some good ways to get into the wedding photography business?

[GadgetRick]

Well, the bride may have just caused a big problem. Most contracts for weddings I've seen include a clause saying something to the effect that photog is the only photog who is shooting (pro that is). You might want to discuss this with the bride then contact the photog she hired. This could get ugly.

[Statto]

Hi

Check with the bride that the pro is ok with you turning up

BUT

You must realise that a 2nd photographer has to take 2nd place
By this I mean, while the main guy is controlling the wedding pics you cannot say anything! He will be shouting out 'everyone look at me', you have to keep you mouth shut
What this does is two fold
1) Your not gonna get the angle on the shot that you want (because the main man has that angle and you better not get in his way)
2) 95% of your pics wont have any of the guests looking into your lens, which when you reveive the pics is a rel soul destroyer, coz they are crap!

Basically, in my humble opinion, their are two ways to get your first wedding gig
1) Be confident enough that you can actually do it, face the world with your chest out and say 'Wedding Photographer for hire!'
2) Be the main man at a friends wedding and do it either free or very cheap (that way if it all goes horribly wrong (which it wont) and your pix are crap, the answer is "what do you expect for free?"

Basically its about having the balls to belive in your skills and get out there and do it

Hope this has helped

Good luck

Well, first off... you aren't a "second shooter".

A second shooter typically refers to someone who works with the main photographer but weilds a camera and takes more photos.

You are more like an "Additional shooter", so calling up the first person and saying, "I'm going to be the second shooter at the wedding"... wouldn't go over so well. My first reaction would be, "like hell you are! I didn't hire you!"

So, just keep that in mind, verbiage is important

[candidrachel]

This could potentially be a very lucrative money spinner!! Let the "Pro" take all the stuffy "formal" shots which are bog standard while YOU take all the candid behind the scenes shots of everyone laughing, joking, smiling among rellies, kids messing about and capturing the real emotion of the day. It doesn't matter if they are not looking directly at the camera because they'll look more natural and spontaneous.

The Pro can't be in 2 places at once and if he is at the bride's house taking pics of her getting ready, you can be at the grooms house taking pics of him getting ready. That way the bride and groom will have a comprehensive record of the WHOLE day.

Another thought if you're prepared to work you socks off is to stay at the end of the day and take candid photos of the wedding evening reception right up until the bride and groom go clanking off in their shaving foamed, tin can decorated car because over here in the UK its normal for the "main" photographer to stay until either cutting the cake or first dance then they leave! Is like but what about the party in the evening, doesn't that count? which is where YOU come into play!

Good luck and don't let obstacles get in your way see them as opportunities!

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by HillHavenStudio

...said she would love me too, but she was hiring another photographer as well, and that the other photographer was not going to be at the dress rehearsal so asked if I could shoot that.

From what you wrote, she's ok with you shooting the rehearsal only. Seek clarification including informing the contracted photographer!

[capturedbybrooke]

I was an additional photographer at a friend's wedding a couple weeks ago and had the same questions as you. I was really nervous about offending the main photographer and getting in her way. So, I made sure that the bride talked to the photographer about it beforehand and made sure the photographer didn't have a clause in their contract against it. Also this way, there are no surprises! Luckily for me, the main photographer was really nice. At the wedding, I introduced myself to her and told her I would try to stay out of her way. I got some great shots at the ceremony, but it got awkward when it came time to do the 'formal' shots. At first, I tried standing next to the other photographer and getting the same shots as her, but then I didn't want to confuse people on who to look at (and therefore ruin her photos) or get all photos of them looking at her, so I backed off and just took candid shots while they were shooting. It was a little frustrating as I had SO many ideas that I wanted to try, but the main photographer was moving them along so fast and I really didn't want to be rude and interrupt- after all, she was the one being paid to get the great shots. Also, I wasn't getting the angle I would've liked. So I observed and figured I would watch and learn - how the photographer poses them, how she talked to them, etc. Then at the reception, it was a lot more laid back and I got some great shots being out of the way of the other photographer. We chatted and she asked me to be an official 2nd photographer at some of her upcoming weddings! So we exchanged info and it was a great experience! Check out the pics on my link...

Another thing is to check if the other photographer is giving them a disc or selling prints. In my case, they are getting a CD from her, so I wasn't as worried about 'stealing' the prints by having them buy the photos from me instead of her. In that case, it would probably be more 'ethical' to wait a couple months before showing/selling the prints to the bride as to not compete with the photographer that was hired to do the job.

I'm doing the same thing next month at another friend's wedding. Can't wait! I'm not ready to do them on my own, but this is a great way to get experience...and if you befriend the main photographer, get some experience that way as well!

Good luck!

[HillHavenStudio]

Thank you al so much for you input! I have been so nervous about this! Not about shooting, because I have confidence in my work, but about offending the other photographer. I have contacted the bride and she is going to talk to the main photographer and let me know if she is gonna be Ok with it all.