The Heart & Hustle Podcast - Episode 425: How to Work with Second Shooters as the Lead Photographer
Release Date: March 18, 2025
Hosts: Evie McLeod & Lindsey Roman
Introduction
In Episode 425 of The Heart & Hustle Podcast, hosts Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman pivot from their previous discussion on being a second shooter (Episode 285) to explore the crucial role of being a lead photographer working alongside second shooters. This episode is a comprehensive guide for wedding photographers aiming to enhance their workflow, collaborate effectively with second shooters, and ultimately deliver exceptional services to their clients.
Finding the Right Second Shooter
Evie and Lindsey emphasize the importance of sourcing qualified second shooters to ensure seamless collaboration and high-quality results.
Referrals as the Primary Source: Lindsey highlights, “the best place, in my opinion, the place that I go to first, is referrals” (04:14). Utilizing trusted photographer connections can lead to reliable recommendations, ensuring that second shooters align with your professional standards.
Leveraging Social Media and Online Platforms: Both hosts encourage leveraging Instagram and photography-specific Facebook groups to find potential second shooters. Evie mentions, “Any local photographers that you know or follow on Instagram can be a great source” (05:30). Additionally, they introduce Second Society as a valuable resource, describing it as “a Craigslist for second shooters” where photographers can post and find gigs (08:00).
Vetting Your Second Shooter
Selecting the right second shooter goes beyond finding someone with a camera. Evie and Lindsey outline key criteria to evaluate potential candidates:
Reviewing Full Galleries: Evie advises, “Ask for and view full galleries of theirs. Do not just look at their Instagram and their highlights” (09:24). This ensures the second shooter is capable of handling a full wedding day and aligns with your photographic style.
Assessing Gear and Technical Proficiency: Lindsey points out the importance of matching gear, stating, “I always like to make sure that ideally my seconds have specific lenses and specific even bodies” (11:54). Understanding the second shooter’s equipment, including camera bodies and lenses, ensures compatibility and high-quality output.
Experience and Professionalism: The hosts recommend evaluating a second shooter’s experience by asking about their years in photography and the number of weddings they’ve shot. Evie emphasizes, “getting to know... their experience level” (12:05), to gauge their readiness for the role.
Preparation and Communication
Effective preparation is critical to a successful collaboration. Evie and Lindsey stress the importance of thorough prep work to establish a strong working relationship.
Contracts and Legalities: Both hosts advocate for having a detailed contract in place. Evie outlines essential elements, including payment agreements, scope of work, non-solicitation, and confidentiality clauses (15:07). They recommend using trusted resources like The Legal Page for contract templates.
Sharing Client Information: Lindsey suggests, “send any questionnaires or details from the client to your second shooter” (14:08). Providing comprehensive client information ensures that the second shooter is fully informed and can capture the wedding effectively.
Establishing Day-of Roles and Expectations: Clear communication about roles, attire, camera settings, and interaction with guests is essential. Evie advises, “Do not go below this shutter speed... communicate that... clarity” (27:51). Lindsey adds, “ask questions about demeanor and interaction with guests” (29:07), ensuring the second shooter seamlessly integrates with your team and maintains the desired atmosphere.
Wedding Day Execution
On the wedding day, the emphasis remains on communication and coordination.
Continuous Communication: Evie highlights, “communicate, communicate, communicate” (30:08). Maintaining open lines of communication ensures that both photographers are aligned and can adapt to the dynamic environment of the wedding day.
Technical Synchronization: Both hosts underscore the importance of syncing cameras to the correct time and settings to facilitate easier photo management and post-processing. Evie reiterates, “Sync your cameras” (31:36), to prevent disorganized workflows.
Post-Wedding Procedures
After the event, Evie and Lindsey outline essential steps to conclude the collaboration positively.
Prompt Payment and Gratitude: Lindsey advises, “pay them promptly” (31:36) and to follow up with a heartfelt thank you. Personal acknowledgments, such as specific praises for their contributions, help in building lasting professional relationships.
Feedback and Constructive Criticism: The hosts recommend providing balanced feedback using the “compliment sandwich” method—starting and ending with praise while gently addressing areas for improvement (33:09). This approach fosters growth and maintains a positive working rapport.
Photo Access and Usage Agreements: Evie discusses the importance of deciding whether second shooters have access to the final images. She states, “decide if they get access to the images after the wedding” (20:55), and outlines how to handle photo sharing to protect the lead photographer’s business interests.
Conclusion
Evie and Lindsey wrap up the episode by reiterating the significance of second shooters in enhancing the lead photographer’s workflow and gallery offerings. They encourage listeners to apply the discussed strategies to find, vet, and collaborate with second shooters effectively, ensuring mutually beneficial partnerships.
Notable Quotes:
- “The best place... is referrals” – Lindsey (04:14)
- “Ask for and view full galleries of theirs” – Evie (09:24)
- “Communicate, communicate, communicate” – Evie (30:08)
- “Do not go below this shutter speed... communicate that... clarity” – Evie (27:51)
Additional Resources
- Contracts: Access Evie and Lindsey’s recommended contracts here with a discount code.
- Second Society: Visit Second Society to find and connect with potential second shooters.
- Honeybook Offer: Enjoy a 35% discount on Honeybook by visiting share.honeybook.comheart.
This episode is a must-listen for wedding photographers seeking to elevate their business by effectively integrating and managing second shooters. By following Evie and Lindsey’s expert advice, photographers can ensure smooth collaborations, enhance their service offerings, and build a robust professional network.