Being a second, informal photographer at a wedding

awec

I've two family weddings coming up in the next few months and the mother of the brides has asked me if I would take photos on each day.

I am not the main photographer, they are paying a professional for that. I'm not being paid at all, just doing her a favour.

I've never done anything like this before. She just wants group photos / candids of guests and proceedings. I won't be taking any photos during the ceremony itself.

Does anyone have any tips? The biggest worry I have is annoying the pro photographer in some way, like getting in his way or having my flash screw up his stuff. For the pro photographers on here, do the amateur guys like myself annoy you?

I have a Canon 1300D, a Canon EF 1.8 50mm and the 18-55 and 70-300 kit lenses. I also have a speedlight. I use my 50mm the most, but I was thinking that a prime lens might be limiting if space is tight?

magicbastarder

maybe ring the pro and see what he or she is planning?
if they're being paid for formal shots, maybe concentrate on candids to complement the formal shots they're taking?
if so, forget a flash and concentrate on using the 50mm with natural light?

ED E

Same issue here, family wedding in a beauuuuutiful location in September. Tempted to sling the camera over my shoulder to just pap some stuff quietly but don't want to interrupt the photog/videog. Done some paid work before myself so kinda in the middle of idiot with a DSLR and 5% competent.


1.6 crop factor on that body will crucify you in lots of places, I shoot a 600D with a 35(50 effective) and even thats a bit tight for larger groups. If you can limit it to smaller groups great but sometimes once the first flash fires you'll have seven aunts and grandma who want to be in too.

If you manage some portrait time (important people may be busy) shooting at 80 has lots of potential, see below.


Bring the kit lens and the prime, maybe leave the 70-300 in the car.

vintagecosmos

I've done this a few times. My tip would be to consider the pro. Take candid pics and catch the moments. Don't loom over the main Tog. Especially around group photos as it can spoil his shots. Nothing worse then having half the group looking at him and the half at you.

Catching moments and live action can really be special. Also if they dont have a videographer switch to record some video for smth different.

awec

ED E wrote: »

Same issue here, family wedding in a beauuuuutiful location in September. Tempted to sling the camera over my shoulder to just pap some stuff quietly but don't want to interrupt the photog/videog. Done some paid work before myself so kinda in the middle of idiot with a DSLR and 5% competent.


1.6 crop factor on that body will crucify you in lots of places, I shoot a 600D with a 35(50 effective) and even thats a bit tight for larger groups. If you can limit it to smaller groups great but sometimes once the first flash fires you'll have seven aunts and grandma who want to be in too.

If you manage some portrait time (important people may be busy) shooting at 80 has lots of potential, see below.


Bring the kit lens and the prime, maybe leave the 70-300 in the car.

Yea that's my worry with the 50, that I'll forever be saying "take another step back, and another, and another..."

vintagecosmos

awec wrote: »

Yea that's my worry with the 50, that I'll forever be saying "take another step back, and another, and another..."

Forgot to say check the times and locations of the pro. They might not be able to get both bride and groom preparations. Or they may not stay til long past first dance. Don't take pics too late after that as everyone is usually in a state

Bacchus

I echo many of the comments already to touch base with the official photographer. Its common courtesy and you're far more likely to get a positive response and therefore be more effective. Note, they may have terms in their contact with the couple that they are the only official photographer so there may be some questions around how your photos can be used/edited/published. They may decide to treat you as an official second shooter so they would edit and deliver your photos along with their own. Or they could be more informal than that and let you do your own thing. You really need to get the name of the photographer and get in touch. Best of luck with the shoot!

Alanstrainor

I'm not a pro. I've never shot a wedding. But I'd echo what others have said and maybe shoot an email to the photographer just to let them know. I did have my DSLR at my brothers wedding as, like you, I was asked to take photos on the day. My main focus was on taking photos the morning of the wedding with the groom/groomsmen and dad. As the photog was spending most of his time with the bride and co. This worked out really well, as I got some super shots of us all just horsing around in the house before going to the venue.

I did bring my gear to the venue, but very much left it alone for the most part, or at least stayed away from the photographer entirely. As I didn't want to get in the way, or be in the background with my gear. I was able to take some family group shots myself when the photographer and the newly weds were off taking couple photos. But my time to shine really came much later in the evening, when the photog had left and I got the late night photos (and the early morning ones too!).

My brief was to fill a gap, which I think I managed okay. You should be able to do something similar without much issue I'd say!

I do think your 50mm will not be ideal for the most part. Unless you're trying to grab candid shots a decent distance away, but even still it's just a bit too long to be useful as a prime. I think I'd stick to the kit lens, and have the nifty fifty to hand if you think it would be useful.

Mike Litoris

Great advise above, email the photographer and let him know. Be totally up front.
Tell the mother of the bride not to expect anything spectacular and totally take the pressure of yourself. It can be great fun and a nice experience with zero pressure.
I'd definitely bring the 50mm. There will be loads of occasions to use that f1.8 and the reach really helps. Sit yourself in the aisle and snap a couple of the ceremony even.
The biggest problem will be getting people together for group shots unless you do hang around behind the photog.


I wouldn't bother with the 70-300.


Remember, no pressure. That's for the pro. Snap away, have a few drinks and a bit of fun. Just a handful of nice shots out of a 100 is a success.

vintagecosmos

+1 on the 50mm. I was at a wedding and the pro and I swapped lenses for a while. He took my 50mm and I got to play with his 24-70 2.8.

awec

Thanks all. I think I will take most of my shots while the couple and photographer are away taking the official ones. I believe there’s just drinks in the venue for the remaining guests while this is happening, a great chance for some candids.

The mother of the bride usually does this sort of thing herself at family weddings, but she obviously won’t have time at these ones.

There are no expectations, I’m not worried about that at all. If there were I wouldn’t do it.

magicbastarder

Bacchus wrote: »

They may decide to treat you as an official second shooter so they would edit and deliver your photos along with their own.

certainly contact the photographer, but be wary if he or she suggests the above; there are probably all sorts of PLI and copyright issues. and if they were delivering your photos as part of their set, you'd have to consider payment if you're acting as their assistant.

Bacchus

magicbastarder wrote: »

certainly contact the photographer, but be wary if he or she suggests the above; there are probably all sorts of PLI and copyright issues. and if they were delivering your photos as part of their set, you'd have to consider payment if you're acting as their assistant.

Oh yes of course, if they decide to go an official second shooter route, they'd need to be paying you. Forgot to mention that.

I only say that they might go this route (or lay out strict conditions) if they are particular about being the only official photographer. The last thing they might want is 1) for guests to think you are the official photographer, and 2) if you post photos on social media it might impact his/her reach which in turn is potentially lost clients. I do think this is on the extreme end though, I'm just making you aware of the extreme in the off chance it is what you are confronted with.

Best case scenario is they are super chill and you get to spend some time hanging out with, and learning from, a cool photographer

sheesh

If the pro has everybody line up to take a shot don't come in from the side and take a sneaky shot, what happens is some people take their eyes off the pro photographer and so are not looking at their lens, it messes up the shot, by all means take a shot after the pro has taken one as a group is there. there are always other people taking photographs at weddings so it should not be a problem.

you can get really nice candid shots with the 50mm f1.8 focus on the eyes and shoot away! get the kids get the older members of the family.

you might not have the space to shoot groups with the 50mm so use the kit lens and flash for that, get a diffuser for the flash if you do not have one already.

While they are waiting for the meal is a good time to get group shots as they are sitting down.