General Info for Photography by Erin Leigh’s Associates & Second Shooters
- Please do not be late. I always aim to arrive 15 min prior to start time. (I have this built into timelines now as ‘arrive & prep’ time).
- Please don’t be on your phone more than necessary. When you are, please do your best to make sure you aren’t seen by bridal party/guests.
- Don’t feel like you need to shoot wide open all day. Be sure to stop down some when shooting groups to ensure focus.
- If there are 2 photographers, try to touch base so if you’re shooting the same thing, one can be shooting wide and the other tight, etc instead of just getting duplicate.
- If you smoke, please be discrete and smart with timing breaks and coordinate it with the other photographer so everything is still covered.
- Please dress modestly. I don’t require black clothing, but I do suggest wearing something that allows you to blend in with guests and not stand out (no neon or white).
- No drinking
Lead Photographer Expectations and Responsibilities
This is the typical flow of how I work things and any specifics I tend to do/get. If you have your own flow, that’s fine too! I had someone suggest I put together a list of how I do things in case it can help them.
- Bridal Prep:
- I try to get a wide shot with the dress first if the room/area is clear and then move onto smaller details.
- I encourage the bride to have all 3 rings there. (If she doesn’t, try to grab them once dinner starts or at another time during the day to get a shot of all 3 rings)
- About 10-15 min before I’m ready to get the bride dressed, I give the bridesmaids/mom a heads up to make sure they are all dressed and then tell them they can clean up the room a bit in the area you’re using to get bride dressed.
- If you have things covered and the groomsmen are nearby, you can send the second shooter to grab a few shots of the guys hanging out if you want.
- Dad’s First Look:
- Once bride is dressed, I usually just get her set up nicely and have someone give dad the okay to come in. (I don’t make a big production out of it).
- Then I get a shot of her with dad, add in mom, and then just her and mom.
- First Look: set up how you’d like.
- Since I don’t do specific groom getting ready photos, I will take him out and get him set up and take a few shots of him before I bring bride out (or I’ll have the second shooter bring bride out).
- I usually have groom facing away and bride stops about 6 feet back and calls to him so when he turns, he gets a full view of her.
- Focus on the groom’s expression (this tends to be the most important thing to my brides).
- I like when she has her flowers with her for the first look, but usually give her the option if she doesn’t want them (have nearby though since you’ll be going into portraits right after).
- No First Look?
- If they are not doing a first look, then after bride gets dressed & does dad’s first look, then I do bride & bridesmaids photos:
- Bride alone
- Bride with all bridesmaids
- Bride with each bridesmaid
- Then get them hidden away and do the groomsmen:
- Groom alone
- Groom with all groomsmen
- Groom with each groomsman
- Then ceremony, family formals, and then I do the full bridal party together.
- Bride & Groom Portraits:
- If they do a first look, I do their individual portraits mixed in during this time.
- Bridal Party:
- I usually grab several shots in a row just to make sure I definitely get one with everyone’s eyes open to avoid photoshop (I count to them “one, two, three” click click click.. “one more guys – one, two, three” click click click click).
- Full bridal party (my goal is 3 different poses… girls on 1 side, guys on the other; girl/guy alternating; and pairing off with who they walked down with and staggered around, going into a walking shot)… Again – up to you if you have your own way!
- Bride with all bridesmaids
- Bride with each bridesmaid (I do one looking at the camera, and one looking at each other or whatever silly thing they want to do)
- Groom with all groomsmen
- Groom with each groomsman (I do one looking at the camera, and one doing a handshake or whatever silly thing they want to do)
- If bride or groom have multiple siblings that are all in the bridal party, try to get a sibling shot
- Ceremony:
- For processional I usually sit 3-4 rows back on bride’s side. Gives a good view of her coming down and close enough to really get groom’s expression.
- One shot I always try to get is groom watching bride (when she gets just past me) from between her and her dad.
- I usually grab the quick full overview from the back, then hit the sides during vows to get good faces of each of them (I ask my seconds to go to the back while you’re on the sides just in case something happens unexpectedly) and then at the back for the rings, kiss & recessional.
- Family Formals:
- The list I create is in an order that avoids pulling people in and out as much as possible, so feel free to go in that order.
- I have my second help gather groups and arrange to keep things moving quickly. They don’t need to shoot families unless you’d like the backup.
- Cocktail Hour:
- I will usually try to grab one or two overview and detail shots of cocktail hour, but don’t go crazy with it.
- If time is tight, I’ll ask my second shooter to grab that while I get ready for the reception.
- Reception:
- I still like to shoot details myself, even if I also have my second shooting them.
- If they have requested specific groups (college friends, work friends, etc), I’ll just check in with them either during down time or while they’re visiting tables and try to grab those shots.
- Sunset:
- Do these how you’d like. Mine vary based on the day and my mood by then lol… sometimes I use OCF (behind for rim lighting or in front to darken the sky), other times I’ll do natural light.
- I keep this short for them, usually 5-10 min.
- You can take the second shooter with you or have them stay and shoot dancing.
Second Photographer Expectations and Responsibilities
- Try to pay attention to where the lead photographer is & coordinate with them to avoid being in each other’s shots when possible.
- Look for things that are going on that the lead photographer isn’t getting (ie if they’re getting the bride’s mom buttoning her dress, you may notice the bridesmaids looking on or crying)
- Feel free to get creative!
- Please check in with the lead photographer before wandering off to do something else in case they need you.
- Bridal Prep:
- If lead is shooting details, look for other things like bride getting hair/makeup done, etc
- If there’s not much going on with the girls and the guys are nearby, you could grab a few candid shots of the guys hanging out.
- First Look:
- Focus on the bride’s expression
- Bride & Groom Portraits:
- If lead is working with just the bride or groom, feel free to grab a few shots of the other one, or get different angles, closeups, etc.
- You may be able to help throw the veil if there is one
- Bridal Party:
- While the lead is shooting the full group, try to zoom in on smaller groups, couples, details (like the bridesmaid’s flowers)
- Ceremony:
- Feel free to circle around. If the lead moves to a side, please try to hang at the back of the aisle just in case something happens so everything is still covered.
- Family Formals:
- Help arrange & manage people… You can have the group list and be getting the next group on standby.
- Watch for details – sunglasses, ladies holding their purses that can be put down, necklace clasps that can be adjusted etc
- No need for you to be shooting these, it’s a much bigger help to coordinate people.
- Cocktail Hour:
- Try to grab a couple overview and detail shots, but I don’t go crazy with this.
- Reception:
- Just try to get different shots from the lead
- Sunset:
- You can either join the lead for these or stay and cover dancing.
