So far, I've always shot weddings (not that we've done that many yet) with my husband as my second shooter and have yet to shoot alone. After having lived with each other for nearly 16 years (Paul would interupt at this point and say "you get less for murder"!), Paul & I work well together ... if you have a second shooter, do you stick with the same person or do you vary your second shooter?

At the end of September, I have a wedding in Cyprus that my husband can't make it to so I've asked a friend to second shoot for me - she's a brilliant studio portrait photographer (some of her work is in a slideshow here). She's never shot weddings but I'm confident she'll do just fine and I'd rather have her than no one at all especially as it's a large & hideously long & tiring Greek wedding.

Mid-October though I have a small wedding which I'm planning on doing alone for the first time - just wondering how many of you shoot alone on a regular basis and how do you find it? Was it really nerve-wracking the first time? Do you get used to it? It kinda scares me thinking about shooting a wedding alone because you obviously have no back-up shots if you screw up!

Does anyone ever use a third shooter? Did most of you start out as second shooters?
Did I ask too many questions?!

hi sohpie,

i absolutely hated being a second shooter - i am definitely one of those who prefer to work on their own. i'm doing my second one on my own on our next holiday weekend, two weeks from now, then i have 5 more lined up each weekend after that. i am really looking forward to it. i would never go back to either second shooting or having a second shooter. unless of courese the wedding was ultra huge and then i would get a second shooter but only for the occasional.

I work most of the time with a second. (I seconded about one and a half times and then dove into the deep end as the primary.) In Colorado two photographers seems to have become a market expectation. Although I'm sure someone would disagree with that.

But, unless I really need the help or it's a huge wedding that can't be covered alone, I kind of like shooting alone. It's easier to only worry about where the video guy is and I feel like it's less obtrusive with only one photographer. Of course, I also love having someone to joke with during the day. I really miss the 'camera'-derie when I shoot alone.

Hmmm. I guess I'm conflicted and like it both ways!

I used to almost always have a second, only occasionally shooting alone. But I now market myself as shooting alone, and plan to do most of my weddings without a second, though I may instead hire an assistant.

I have had a third shooter at a couple of weddings, which was fun.

It took me some time to get comfortable shooting a wedding alone. Not sure why that is, with 18 years of solo commercial shooting experience when I got into weddings. I second shot for two other photogs my first two years, and glad I did.

As a professional assistant I'd recommend against shooting completely alone.

You should consider hiring someone to carry your stuff, guard your stuff, and get you beverages when you're thirsty. Even if that person isn't shooting it's nice to have someone to be your sherpa. Think someone like this:



Your back will thank you...

Laura and I shoot every wedding/event together.. we even got us a sherpa (Bryce)

sophie,

i shoot mostly alone. I always have my husband with me and he helps give me shade with the reflector but now that i have a second camera i have been having him shoot. he doesnt really have the confidence but i like having backup and its nice to say can you go and take a picture of this... Oh and i love being able to get on his shoulders rather than a ladder.

i wish i had an assistant but i also like being on my own. i really want to have my husband and i work its a lot less money and easier to tell when you dont prefer the shot etc

This is the kind of reply I've come to expect from you Damon!!


I'm surprised at how many of you actually LIKE shooting a wedding alone! I'm impressed, seriously.

I have my husband help too. He's mostly there for the carrying/setting up of equipment (and the emotional support! ), but I put a camera in his hands last time, and he got some really good shots! Never hurts to have that second camera working for ya.

We're very blessed and I'm very spoiled. We shoot as a family and love it!

Our daughter (23) and son (19) both love photography and this season we have shot with all four of us. It sounds like a lot but here why I love it.

• We have a lot of fun shooting together.
• We have assistants that can carry help us when needed who then "transform" into photographers to help us!
• We get some great shots at the reception that the bride would never see as we send them off there while we do the formals
• People are constantly saying how they never saw photographers all day even though they knew there were 4 of us. At first I wondered what they meant but here is what I've learned. When we plan out a wedding we assign each of us spots/zones throughout the day, which means there arent a lot of photographers running all over the place. We get all sorts of great angles - many times multuple angles of the same moment. I know this will not last forever as they will eventually start their own business - in fact our son shot his first wedding a week ago - so we won't be able to count on them for every wedding, but i would never think of shooting alone unless absolutely forced to. I believe a second shooter is a must in this digital age to allow you to cover everything that needs to be covered. I'm sure some people will disagree, but that my perspective.

I'm sure there are many more points but those where what came to me off the top of my head.

Great topic!

I prefer to shoot it alone... but lately i've had a 2nd shooter and my bigger or more detailed weddings.

Sometimes I shoot alone (yes, I was VERY nervous the first time!) if my assistant is available, she will go with me and shoot as long as the wedding is paying me enough to pay her. We do some very small backyard or destination type weddings in this area where I really don't feel like I need to pay her to be there. And I've also hired full time second shooters when my assistant isn't available. My hubby is always up for assisting, but his job has made it hard for him to go this year. but we did do one wedding this year with me, my assistant, another full time shooter and my husband to help carry all the gear and keep us fed, hydrated, and full of batteries Now THAT was a zoo! So it all just depends on the event.

I usually just keep to myself.. look at the area.. figure out a safe place for my knapsack camera bag.. Have my two cameras on me and lenses ready to go.. its not that hard.. when you get over the formal hurdle and intros you are set.. remember to just figure out how you are going to position yourself at the ceremony.. how you will be spliting the side and the back of the church.. where you want to be when... I have shot half of my weddings alone.. and half with my ex business partner.. you can do it.. but now I do prefer to have an assistant.. just having someone there to hand you a lens when you need it is invaluable but you can totally do it on your own.

Me too. Perhaps because we started out as a team. I know it's possible, but the thought of covering all by myself seems daunting.

I know the day will come when I get to/have to shoot one by myself but in the meantime hats off to all you who do it solo!

An expectation or a selling tool is how I see it. Now that I'm back in Seattle I am going to include a 2nd shooter (another photog and I will trade 2nd shooting for each other and when he can't I suppose I'll have to pay someone to shoot with me). I have done them on my own but since having a 2nd is a bonus we can divide and conquer (boys and girls getting ready simultaneously).



I sherpa's.

This is SUCH a good topic. I thin you can definitely do it alone. Try it both ways and see how you like it. If you want to take a little pressure off, you can try it for free for someone who needs a hand with the caveat of the limitations for second shooters. You'll get a taste of it with reasonable expectations by the "client". Your work is really awesome Sofie! Even your worst day alone on a wedding would still be really great photography.

Plus, you have boxer in your avatar. Here are my two babies Riley and Madeleine:







Have fun and post images!!!

WOW....I can't believe how many of you like goin solo! I offer a second photog as an add on feature and almost all of my couples have opted for it unless it was a smaller wedding or less coverage.

How do you get the groom's reaction to his bride coming down the aisle AND get the bride coming down the aisle??? I think this is one time that it's definetely a great idea to have a 2nd. Different perspectives, Different angles.....one person can't be in two places at one time. Also, when you have a second and its a particularly LONG or HOT day, than you can take turns taking small "breaks" (to get somethin to drink or something) if you will, and not have to worry about missing anything. I hate goin solo, cuz I always feel like I'm missing something that's goin on somewhere else that I can't be cuz I'm doin formals or details or something. Although, whatever I'm missing is always secondary to whatever I'm doin right then, it's still nice to be able to capture everything you can. I just feel like to offer complete coverage, there has to be more than one of you.