NLP 2nd Photographer Style Guide
I've worked with some amazing people and I've learned a lot as a 2nd Shooter myself.
The following Style Guide will be a window into photographing Nina Lily Weddings.
Nina Lily Second Photographers
As the Second Photographer, you should have the opportunity to see the day differently than the lead photographer, who is often in close proximity to the Couple & VIPs. Take advantage of your role and see things in a way that you may not be able to when lead shooting. Basically, don’t lead shoot; I’ve got that covered! Also, don’t be afraid to overshoot. You Can’t Overshoot a Nina Lily Wedding! I want to see what you are seeing and I will cull your imagery to reflect the Nina Lily aesthetic. As we work together, things will become more collaborative. The outline below can be used as a guide to clarify expectations. However, every event is different! I get it!
General Camera Settings.
Our imagery is known for shallow depth of field while retaining sharp focus. For most of the day, please make adjustments as necessary to keep your zoom lens aperture at f/2.8 and your fixed focal lens aperture at f/2.0 to match my shots. Group shots and grab n' grins should be taken at f/4.0 or f/5.6 as needed.
Candids.
Our studio offers a mix of fine-art and documentary photography. I am always looking for genuine moments as they unfold but I am often focused on the VIPs and creative portraiture. When this is the case, my 2nd photographers may have the opportunity to be a bit more unobtrusive and to document without our clients being aware. This allows my 2nds to capture genuine emotion. Look for laughing, emotional interaction and quiet moments. During the ceremony & reception, capture reaction shots of guests. We certainly want to document VIPs at critical moments (mom watching vows, dad watching first dance, etc.) but also document the guests keeping to the perimeter of the event. Every guest at the event is important & in the final collection, I try to include as many candids of the guests as possible.
Establishing Shots & Details.
I often have a close relationship with my clients and their families. While I would love to always be a fly-on-the-wall shooter, sometimes I am engaged directly with the VIPs. With limited time on the wedding day, I may miss some establishing shots and other sentimental details that help to round out the clients’ story. This is where my 2nd photographers come in. Please grab as many establishing shots and details as you can.
The home the bride grew up in, grade school photographs, mom’s tchotchkes… these all help to tell the clients’ larger story. Later, establishing shots of the venue and other aesthetic details help to capture the investment the couple has made.
Kids & Pets.
Everyone at the event loves the children & animals! You can’t photograph them enough. Especially because they can be difficult to capture! As the 2nd photographer, you can often either blend into the background better and thus photograph great candids unobtrusively OR you may have the time to engage directly with the littles. Kids (& Moms) are programmed to cheese at the camera when they notice they are being photographed. Certainly take those photos but then look for or create something different! And pets… yes please!
Getting Ready.
My 2nd Photographers generally start the day with me photographing candids and then move on to the getting ready portion with the fiance. During this time, photograph like you are the lead. I am looking for everything we just noted (establishing shots & details, candids, kids & pets) plus focus on the fiance & VIPs. You will be capturing last minute getting ready plus the story of the client getting to the first look or ceremony. During the getting ready, de-clutter if necessary, move the subject to better light for dressing photos, etc. Note the VIPs & offer grab n’ grins after getting lots of candids. When it’s time to travel to the next location, make that part of the story.
Groomsmen Photography.
If you are responsible for photographing formals of the groomsmen, the shots that I look for are pretty standard. First, make sure that boutonnieres are on if they’ve been provided. Then find the best light. To be safe, look for full shade outside. If there is no shade, backlight them! If you have to shoot indoors, crank up your ISO if your camera can handle it. If there are unflattering shadows, bounce your flash for some fill. For formal groomsmen portraits, you are going to have to line them up and ask them to look at you. You will be able to gauge the group right away. If they are silly, great! Just make sure that you have at least one group photos where they are all looking and smiling. Something Grandma could show off at her home.
Three formal setups is the most that we would need. I suggest groom in the middle with bestmen then fill in the rest on either side. They can stand however they fall into place for the most part. Rearrange as necessary. From here you can do a “hug it in” shot, a walking shot and something more stylized. I always like the shoulder to shoulder with a lot of background or an incarnation of the “flying V”. Feel free to play around just remember that your framing should have room to crop to an 8x10 inch print; leave space on the sides!
We also always offer individual shots with the groom. Make sure to get each groomsmen with the groom. I like to do a full length vertical, mid-length vertical and then I’ll switch to horizontal if they are goofing around.
*Don’t take any crap. If you ever feel uncomfortable in a situation, let me know. In the event that you are being blatantly harassed or the situation is getting out of control, you can end coverage and join me. I can advocate from there.
First Look.
Yes please! We always want to do first looks because this creates a much more relaxed schedule for the day. Your primary role will be to setup the client (usually the groom) at the agreed upon location. We will discuss specifics in advance. Then keep him busy! This can be the most stressful part of the day for the client so I like to fill the time with portraits. This is a great time to engage and ask about the couple’s relationship, venue choices, etc. Keep the conversation focused on the wedding and avoid talking about yourself. When I arrive, put on a long lens and choose a location out of my shot where you can get a great reaction shot of the fiance seeing the bride for the first time. You can certainly grab a few shots of the bride as she walks past, but I’ve got that covered. You are responsible for the groom’s reaction. Thanks!
*In the examples below, I have included several Lead Photographer shots to give you an idea of the different perspectives.
Alone Session.
I work with too many 2nd Photographers to collaborate; I ask that during the portrait session with the couple, that my 2nds leave the directing to me. This isn’t to say that your job is not important during this time! I rely heavily on my 2nd Photographers to capture unique angles, expression and details. Look for different spots to shoot from with unique angles of interesting foregrounds and backgrounds. Typically, I ask that you shoot with a long lens but just be aware of what lens I am working with. It is always a good rule to use a different lens than the lead photographer when you are photographing the same subject. I will be directing the clients and will primarily be working with a 35mm lens, which is why I ask my 2nd shooters to use the 70-200mm or 135mm whenever possible. But my moods change, so just be aware of what I’m working with. - You are also welcome to really backup for dramatic wide-shots if the landscape works. I like epic scenery shots! And I can always remove myself from the image if you are seeing a landscape that I’m not. - I work fast and am really focused. This is a great time for you to look for things that I’m not seeing, but please be discreet if you need to tell me something. Thanks!
Bridal Party Details & Vignettes.
I can handle the big picture. You can certainly snap a few overall bridal party photos, but what I am really looking for are the details and candid vignettes. Capture as many details as you like including ties, flowers, shoes, etc. I also want lots of candids. This includes focusing on part of the group or little groupings while I am directing.
Family Formals.
My regular 2nd Photographers know that I like to do these as quickly and efficiently as possible. Depending on the 2nd Photographer, there are several roles that I may ask you to take.
In the event that you are helping with the list. Speak up! Announce the formal combination loudly and clearly so that I don’t have to repeat it! The client is probably OVER having photos done at this point and wants us to take charge. Please check-off combos as they are taken. You may also need to fix the bride’s train or ask a relative to button their jacket. Be my extra set of eyes.
If I am doing the list, please be on the lookout for vignettes of the group that I am photographing and candids of the VIPs waiting to be photographed. You can also ask for grab n’ grins at this time; for instance, get a photo of Mom & Dad alone or the bride's Sister & Family. This is so appreciated!
In the event that formals are being done during cocktail hour, I may send you in to work on reception details or cocktail candids. You know what to do!
Sometimes you may be asked to do a few family formals yourself prior to the couple seeing each other. Please try and shoot these outside in full shade. I need at least [1] full length & [1] mid length for the proof set.
*At the start of the slideshow below, the first 2 examples show you what I shoot during family formals. I always do a full length and a mid-length. The 3rd example taken by my 2nd photographer is my favorite angle of the same group. The following 2 images are of a mother/son formal that might be taken prior to the ceremony or first look.
Ceremony.
This is the main event! Let’s respect that. Our goal is to capture the best anges and emotion while being as unobtrusive as possible! My 2nd Photographers are critical during the ceremony.
Always touch base with the lead shooter and ask them about the game plan prior to the ceremony. Typically, I will ask the following:
Before the client walks down the aisle, get as many candids of the VIPs as possible. As the attendants walk down the aisle, be aware of the bride’s expression. Focus on the bride & her father if applicable. For most clients, this is a really special time! Be unobtrusive and don’t engage; this is their moment. Please also capture a photo of the bride from behind as she walks down the aisle. Just be aware that I am shooting the processional so stay low & duck out of sight asap. If we are at a church, sometimes I’ll ask you to pop upstairs to the balcony to document the rest of the processional & the parent giving their child away.
During the ceremony, pick a different side aisle than the lead shooter. During vows and rings, focus on the clients’ expression and the VIPs' expression equally.
For the kiss & recessional, you may be asked to take center aisle to double shoot. Just make sure you are using a different lens than the lead shooter.
Guest reaction shots are key! The clients typically don’t see their guests reactions until we deliver their collection, so I like to include as many guest reaction shots as possible during the ceremony. I’ve got the main event covered, so focus on guests during key moments after getting a safety shot of the couple (if possible).
Try to get a shot of each attendant & parent as they recess. I will follow the couple. After the recessional we regroup and go from there.
Cocktail Hour & Reception Details.
You may be responsible for cocktail hour coverage. For me, this means getting some overall shots of the space and then focusing on candids of the guests. Look for guests that are laughing, etc. Try not to capture people eating or drinking. Throw on your 50mm lens and shoot natural light if possible. If it is too dark, we may use flash and just go for grab n’ grins. Flashy candids typically don’t work for me. I also ask you to capture any details such as food or anything else that captures your eye.
I always want to shoot my own reception details, but if this isn’t possible, I may rely on my 2nd Photographers for this as well. Please capture some overall shots of the entire room. Then focus in on individual tables, place settings and centerpieces.
You cannot shoot too many details ever!
Reception.
We often use Off-Camera-Flash (OCF) during the reception but when this isn’t available, you are welcome to use bounce flash. Check with the Lead Photographer prior to the wedding to verify. On wedding day, touch base with the Lead Photographer regarding where you should be for introductions. After that, the main thing is to just be aware of where the main shooter is. Try not to be in the background of the photographer or videographer's imagery. During the “firsts”, I typically ask that you backup a couple of safe shots and then focus on guest reaction shots. I may ask you to do grab n’ grins of couples at the tables at some point during the evening. These should be at f/4 with flash. Other than that, just look for moments on the dance floor. Reception is very documentary, so just have fun with it.
Be Ready to Shoot the Wedding as if You Were the Lead Photographer.
Accidents and illness happen. In the event of an emergency, you may be called on to step up as lead shooter on the wedding day. This means that you should have backup gear with you at all times. Even though we give you NLP cards to shoot on, make sure that you have enough of your own memory cards to photography an entire event if needed. Always have lots of batteries. Have a current copy of the photography schedule on hand in the event that you need to take over.
Memory Cards.
Let’s make arrangements in advance to get you memory cards. I prefer that my 2nd Photographers use our cards throughout the day so that we can take them home at the end of the event. If you have to start the day on your own cards, be prepared for your lead shooter to take them home to download and mail back to you the following week. I do expect you to use your own cards as backup. Please keep a backup for several days following the event. You are not expected to backup a Nina Lily Wedding indefinitely, however, errors happen and we want to make sure that the imagery is secure immediately following all events.
Some Obvious / Not so Obvious Stuff.
Time sync your cameras. We use the website time.gov to sync prior to the wedding.
Always shoot RAW.
Dress nicely. I prefer boring black or other neutrals.
Show up a few minutes early & don’t be put out if you are asked to stay a few minutes late.
Leave your business cards at home.
Don’t share imagery from the back of your camera.
Check your phone discreetly or not at all.
Don’t reach out to Nina Lily clients on social media.
We drink after the job NOT during the job.
General Policy.
If you commit to at 2nd Shooting date with Nina Lily Photography you are expected to keep that date reserved for our studio. In the event that a lead gig comes up for your personal studio, there may be flexibility. In that situation, final commitment is expected [8] weeks prior to the event, as your name will be added to the clients’ photography schedules at that time. Cancellation due to another Second Photographer job or Commercial Work will result in termination of future employment.
Nina Lily Photography retains the copyright of all Second Photographer’s files created during an NLP event. All files are incorporated into a master collection and are not differentiated from the lead photographer or assistant's image files.
We do not permit 2nd Photographers to use image files created for Nina Lily Photography on any business or personal websites. This is to protect the interest and online presence of Nina Lily Photography clients. Second Photographers are welcome to use the imagery they create for NLP “in-house” (please contact studio for clarification) but not on websites, social media or any other branding materials physical or otherwise.