SECOND PHOTOGRAPHERS

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH FOR hop(hellen oliveira photography) AS A SECOND SHOOTER or lead photographer/video

Thanks for joining our team!! Most of these details below will be common knowledge especially if you have been shooting weddings for a long time, but it’s important to us to lay out our preferences, and expectations so there is no miscommunication or misunderstanding. We value your time and your efforts and we want to continue to work with you and that’s why we created this guide for second shooters/lead. Due to past experiences we have gathered this information below and will continue to add to it as we grow.

Before shooting:

• grab AND FORMAT 1-2 SD cards

• make sure your lens and camera sensors are cleaned (no specs/dirt/lint/fingerprints, etc…)

• make sure to bring extra batteries and your flash

• Record on multiple cards so you can keep your photos/videos for yourself. Photograph in RAW format at all times and 60fps for video.

• Keep camera in silent mode if possible especially during ceremony

• Look presentable! Wear black like a ninja! Be a ninja - be as unnoticeable as you can & don’t step in front of anyone during ceremony, act like a ninja - hustle to grab your shoot and keep moving so you are not a distraction. If you sweat a lot and wedding is outside consider bringing a second shirt or a sweat rag, even wearing a hat throughout the day is ok if outdoors. No sleeveless, or wifebeaters are allowed. you can wear those underneath, but have a shirt or jacket over. Nothing showing underarms. Please look clean and no body odor, keep hair tied back and presentable. Nothing too sexy or revealing, nothing showing back, or riding up too short…. can’t believe i’m even saying this?? it’s happened before, if it doesn’t apply to you just be aware and keep reading below.
  If your attire is not according to HOP’s standards we reserve the right to ask you to leave without pay. If you are unsure, please ask Hellen before the event date.

SIDE ANGLES & DETAILS

• As a second shooter i’d like for you to see different angles and details than what the main shooter is capturing. The second photographer’s main purpose is to capture the same instance with the same subjects but in a different view, either by using a different lens and/or by moving around to different angles and doing close ups as the main shooter does wide shots (vice versa).
  I love it when the second shooter captures a smile, a kiss, a laugh, a tear, rings, details that may be overlooked as the main shooter is busy directing and posing.

• Most of the time we ask the second photographers to shoot with a 85mm, you may bring other lenses but this is preferred. If at any time you are asked to photograph a different scene on your own please be sure to use a wide lens that would capture the entirety of the scene/subjects. For example, don’t shoot the groomsmen group shots with a 85mm because you would prob not fit them all into the photo, and you’d be cropping their legs from the frame.

• Since you are not directing or posing the subjects (most of the time) this gives you the ability to pay attention to other details including fixing bride’s dress/hair/veil/straps/bra showing, and so much more. same goes for the groom’s tie, jacket, pocket square etc…

• We don’t want the second shooter to stand next to the main shooter and grab the same shot unless it is specified.

• Please feel free to be creative, and occasionally and respectfully ask the subjects to hold a pose or look directly in your camera, or position them a certain way. When directing the subjects please do not interrupt the main shooter and please do not contradict the directions given by some other photographer. Let them finish their pose and then try yours.

GROOMSMEN PORTRAITS

• Make sure to do AT LEAST 3 different poses with the guys. This could be as simple having them look a certain direction, walk towards you, pick something to adjust like their tie, button, cuff links, group hug, and don’t forget to do individuals of each groomsmen with the groom (if there’s time).

• Remember your F/stop for groups should be greater than f/2.8 and always try to shoot these outdoors unless there is inclement weather.

Continued…

If asked by main photographer to capture a different scene on your own please do so as detailed as possible. When capturing Cocktail Hour, please photograph candids/details/ and group shots looking at the camera. For this occasion a close up lens is preferred.

• Assisting with carrying equipment, supplies, objects is also part of your job description. Carrying bride’s veil, bouquet, dress tail, setting up lights and tripods etc… For this reason please be sure you have a camera strap so you are free to use both hands when needed to.

• During group shots please do not shoot under f/2.8.

• Never go over 5000 ISO unless ABSOLUTELY necessary, please use flash or video light in dark situations.

• When photographing the reception details: Capture different angles!!! 85mm is preferred and low Fstop. Unless when you want to photograph the whole room then of course a wider lens is needed and higher f/stop to capture the full scene.

• ALWAYS check with the main photographer what your White Balance should be at the beginning of the day! If shooting in Kelvin check with main shooter what it should be indoor or outdoor. Usually outdoor should be between 5500-6500. Indoors should be 3500-4500. But this varies so check with them first. As a general rule try to shoot true to color - not blue and not orange.

• NEVER UNDEREXPOSE OR OVEREXPOSE - unless Hellen OKAYS this. You should always check with the main photographer if there is a preference and if not always try to shoot true to color exposing for the highlights so you don’t blow it out and there’s no bringing it back. I’d rather have some grain than no details!

• Remember you are not shooting for yourself or your preference - you are a contractor shooting for HOP and should always try to match their style and portfolio when posing, directing, choosing camera settings.

After Capturing a wedding or session for HOP:

• Payment is sent over Venmo only after the images have been delivered to Hellen (either by SD card at the end of the night or Gdrive). if you are going to upload to Gdrive your payment will be delayed until you have done so and sent it over to hellencophotos@gmail.com

• you are to hand over the SD card with ALL the images taken at the event/session

• if agreed prior to event, you may upload the images to your Gdrive or Dropbox instead of handing over card, but this must be talked about before hand.

• HOP is not responsible for uploading images for you to download later, for this, please make sure you are recording on 2 cards simultaneously so you can keep a copy of your work as well.

• if for any reason, you are not able to copy on two cards - please be sure to have a drive or computer with you in order to transfer all the images to your drive at the end of the night (this is your responsibility if you’d like to keep a copy of the images for yourself). Another option would be for you to hand over the card with the images to HOP and then pick it up with Hellen at a later date, or Hellen can mail it back to you.

• You may use the images for your portfolio as long as you are tagging @hellencophotos and mention that you were second shooting or lead shooting for @hellencophotos

• Please wait at least 6 weeks before using the images on any social media or website.

• Second shooters or associate lead shooters are not allowed to TAG any of the clients/guests or vendors at the event. Nor use Geotags with the event location. Second shooters are also not allowed to reach out or contact the clients/vendors later on and offer to send them your version of the images. Second shooters/Lead shooters should not be contacting the clients / vendors from an event shot for us for any reason.

We REALLY appreciate you reading through this and familiarizing with our style and process. We hope you feel that you have a better understanding when it comes to being a second shooter/associate photographer for HOP. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need anything clarified.

*this content is copyright of Hellen Oliveira Photography ©