This guide is to give you some insight on what is expected as a second photographer for Chelsea Erwin Photography

I am SO excited to have you along on a wedding with me. I know you have great experience but this guide is to make sure you get the shots I would normally get if I was shooting solo.

Below you will find what I need for each part of the day. These are just guidelines, I want you to feel free to get creative as well.

I like the vibe of the day to be fun and relaxed for my couples!

fun wedding couple

Please check all of your camera settings!

I know this will probably be a no brainer but I have had incidents where my second shooters haven’t check their settings and haven’t shot to 2 cards and shot in JPG instead of RAW.

  • MAKE SURE YOU ARE SHOOTING RAW IMAGES ON BOTH CARDS
  • I REQUIRE MY SECONDS TO HAVE TWO CAMERAS SO MAKE SURE BOTH CAMERAS SETTINGS ARE CORRECT
  • PLEASE SHOOT ON AUTOMATIC WHITE BALANCE UNLESS I INSTRUCT YOU OTHERWISE
  • MAKE SURE YOU ARE SHOOTING TO TWO CARDS ON BOTH CAMERAS
  • WE WILL SYNC OUR CAMERA TIMES PRIOR TO THE START OF THE WEDDING
  • I WILL GIVE YOU CARDS TO SHOOT ON BUT PLEASE USE ONE OF YOUR CARDS IN CAMERA AS A BACK UP
  • FORMAT ALL CARDS BEFORE STARTING TO SHOOT.
groom getting ready for his elopement in tulum mexico

Getting Ready Photos

The getting ready time can be hectic as you know. I really like to make sure it is a fun relaxed time for my clients.

Please make sure to avoid having clutter or things in the background of images if possible. Remove cups, trash, bags ect.

If the room is really tight or you feel doesn’t have a great look for getting ready photos, feel free to do mock getting ready photos outside.

  • Get a variety of photos, getting dressed , everyone hanging out ect.
  • I don’t do heavy detail shots but feel free to get as creative as you want with them.
  • If the room is dark please use flash to fill any light needed.
  • Do not shoot with windows behind the subject. Try and use side lighting if possible.

    • Wedding Party Photos

    Again, just have fun with these but there are a few must haves for me:

    -Formal photo of wedding party looking at camera

    -Candids of wedding party having fun and smiling.

    -Individual photos of each person with the couple. Full body and cropped (mid thigh up)

    • Ceremony/Cocktail/Reception

    Ceremony

    For ceremony I like for my second shooters to hang back and capture all the moments prior to everyone walking down the aisle. These are usually great candids. Once the ceremony starts please focus mostly on guest/family reactions and then a few of the couple getting married.

    When everyone walks down the aisle to exit I typically follow the couple out for those awesome moments right after they exit the ceremony. Please stay at the aisle and get photos of the wedding party/family exiting ceremony as well as guests candids.

    Cocktail

    During cocktail hour I really like lots of candids. Obviously if guests or the couple/family ask you for posed photos definitely get those but mostly candids if you can.

    Reception

    Most of the time I will be able to photograph the reception details with you but if not here are the must have photos for details:

    • Wide room photo
    • Wide and close up photos of the table details.
    • Shoot a variety of close ups of flowers,menus ect.
    • Please make sure salt and pepper shakers are removed from tables for the photos.
    • Make sure chairs, ect are straight at the tables.

    During the reception focus a lot on candids of guests, especially during speeches. I love those kind of photos as it helps me get photos of most of the guests.