Thanks for working with us on one of our upcoming weddings!  Just a quick overview of the type of photos that we like for our second shooters to capture during their coverage.

For the first look, the second’s angle is on the groom’s reaction.  After getting that, you can move on to the bride, then some close ups of hands, etc. Please shoot horizontally so that both the bride and groom are in the shot.

During the pre-ceremony time, we like to take detail shots of the ceremony site and candids of the guests.  Once the ceremony starts, your main focus will be on the groom’s face as the bride comes down the aisle.  We like to get some shots of the family watching the ceremony, and close ups of both the bride and groom, and some wider shots including their bridal party.  We like for you to move around during the ceremony so you can get various angles.

During poses, you’ll likely be assisting the primary photographer with lighting and details like arranging the dress train and veil, making sure that jackets are properly buttoned, sunglasses are off and during group poses checking to make sure that people aren’t holding programs and purses….i.e. making sure the poses look neat and tidy.  We don’t have our seconds cover any poses; we appreciate the extra set of hands and eyes to help them looked polished and to read off of the family pose list and help gather people for those.

If you are covering any details and candids during the cocktail hour, you’ll find examples below of the style we like.  Overviews, smaller groupings and then focusing on one person/detail. We ask that you do not take posed group shots unless specifically asked.  Our couples hire us for our candids, and we try to respect that.

If you are covering any details of the reception, we like to do overviews of the entire room, then an overview of a table, then the centerpiece, then the place setting, then any further detail shots, like close ups of candles, flowers, etc.  An overview of the cake table, a shot of the cake, closer ups of the details of the cakes. Search the room for other details and capture as many as possible.

During the reception we like our seconds to get crowd reactions as people are doing the grand entrance and during speeches.  For dances, we like to have our seconds get some closer ups.  We shoot candids as we are able during the reception.