Why Being a Second Photographer Made Me a Better Storyteller

When I was in college, I started shadowing a photographer I looked up to so much (and still do). I had no idea how to get into the wedding industry. One day she had asked me to be her second photographer for a wedding and I had a “ME?” moment. I was so new I couldn’t believe she wanted me to actually help her shoot a real wedding. I remember following her around the whole day like a lost puppy because I didn’t know exactly what a second photographer is used for. I assumed just in cased she missed the shot, I would have it too. I didn’t know the POWER move having a second photographer really was. 

I have a Bachelors in Commercial Photography, I am not saying this to make myself sound fancy or better than other photographers, I have a point I promise. 

I think we all know that with standard schooling you are made to do things you don’t want to do, yeah I really loved school, can you tell? Like most degrees, there were classes and projects I didn’t love. I had to shoot all kinds of subjects I wasn’t passionate about. Looking back, though, I realize it was training me to see creatively even when the situation didn’t inspire me yet. Now that sounds awful, and it wasn’t pleasant at the time, but it has made me crave that creative side of me now. 

During weddings, it is my job as the lead photographer to get all the big moments, the first kiss, the family photos, the first dances, and I love those, don’t get me wrong. But weddings can start to have a rhythm, a routine.  I definitely get my moments to be creative but I also have to be focused on everything going on so I don’t miss anything. That creativity craving is what second shooting gives me every single time. Second shooting lets me step out of that pattern and look for what’s happening around the moments.

Now THIS is where the second shooter role comes in! As a second shooter, I don’t have to focus on the same big moment shots as the lead photographer. Yes I will probably take those because at the moment that’s where all the action is happening BUT you get so much more freedom with what photos “need” to be taken. 

When you’re the second photographer, your job is to notice what no one else does.

While the lead is capturing the flat-lays and dress shots, I might be with the bridesmaids laughing over coffee.
While the lead is focused on the ceremony, I’m watching grandma tear up or the flower girl dump her basket halfway down the aisle.
While the lead is doing couples portraits, I’m at cocktail hour, catching the hugs, the champagne clinks, and the joy.

There’s so much freedom to experiment, to move, play with light, and catch the “behind the scenes” of the day that rounds out the story.

Don’t get me wrong, I love being the lead photographer. The connection I make with my couple and the families is one I will cherish, truly, for the rest of my life. But every once in a while, stepping back and shooting just for the art of it, the angle no one else thought to try, is so refreshing.

One of my favorite moments is getting the feedback from my lead photographer, “When did you even take that?” Same goes for when I see my second photographers photos. Even now when I regularly lead weddings, I never turn down the chance to second for others in the industry. It keeps me inspired, creative, and constantly learning and that only makes me a better photographer for my own couples.

For the photographers reading this:
Second shooting keeps your eyes sharp and your creativity alive. When you’ve been behind the camera as both lead and second, you start to anticipate those subtle, emotional in-between moments in every role.

For the couples looking for a photographer and asking “Why hire a second photographer?”, trust me you want the second photographer. The lead will capture every planned, perfect moment… but the second photographer will capture the ones you didn’t even realize were happening.

Those are often the images that mean the most.