WELCOME

Thank you so much for helping me with our upcoming wedding together! I love your work and am so excited to have you on board. We are going to have a blast!

While every wedding day is different, this guide will help explain a few overall technical and behavioral tips to ensure an amazing day for everyone.

I'll be in touch prior to the wedding to confirm the timeline and couple-specific details with you, but feel free reach out with questions! Can't wait to work with you.

P.S. Feel free to bookmark this to look back at the day before the wedding.

Clos LaChance Winery Wedding - Hannah & Sam-1384.jpg

YOUR ROLE

DIVIDE & CONQUER WITH ME

Prior to the wedding day, we will connect about the game plan on how to best divide and conquer the day. But generally speaking, there will be many parts of the day were we are in different places capturing different moments and well as teamed up together.

For big moments that we are double shooting, I'll generally have you capturing alternative and artistic angles and candid moments while I capture the the "safe" shots.

Smaller moments that don't require 2 shooters, I'll have you act more as a non-shooting assistant- helping me keep on time and keeping ourselves organized & hydrated. No need to overshoot the smaller stuff.

Moments when we are apart, I'll count on you to capture the moment to the best of your ability, as if it were your own wedding. I know you are already so talented and will rock it! We will go over these moments in great detail below to help you feel even more prepared.

Preparation Basics

I know a lot of these reminders are no-brainers, but humor me as I touch on them ever so quickly. These can be great reminders in case its our first wedding together or the first of the season.

GEAR

You will be required to bring:

-Details styling board (if I've asked you to capture Grooms details)
-One - two camera bodies
-Your own memory cards (in case we are starting in different locations)
-Lenses ranging from 35-200mm (and anything beyond that you might have!)
-On-Camera Flash

Please let me know if you do not have any of these items and we can make proper arrangements.

LIGHTING

For majority of the day, you will be shooting with natural light. Please do not use flash until I say so, or if your getting ready room absolutely requires it (we will talk more about this later, but I'd prefer you take the guys outside than use flash).

I want your shots to match mine, so I'll instruct you when to put on your flash for the reception. No need to bring any Off-Camera flash setups. On-Camera is fine.

For your outdoor shots, please always shoot backlit or sidelit (unless it's something like the ceremony in which we have no control of the direction)

WARDROBE

I want to ensure you are able to stay happy and comfortable throughout the wedding day while also looking professional.

I prefer my seconds match me and wear a modest business-casual outfit. Flats or all-solid one color, clean tennis shoes are great. Fanny packs are wonderful too.

Please avoid bright colored outfits, jeans, and shorts.

MORNING OF PREP

1. Please bring a printed version of the timeline with you as well as save if to your phone in case your paper version gets lost.

2. Ensure your camera is set to the current date & time and you are shooting in RAW.

3. I absolutely love when my second shooters text me in the morning to let me know when they are on their way and again when they have arrived.

4. If instructed so, please meet me a few minutes before our shooting time starts to collect memory cards (if we are starting at the same location)

SCENICS

I love when my second shooters get location and scenic shots of a wedding day. Every location and venue a couple chooses holds a special place in their heart, so please try to capture that from the entrance sign to the artistic shots of the scenery. It never hurts to get a few wide and a few tight shots of anything that makes a spot unique or beautiful.

GEAR SUGGESTION

35mm or 50mm
Aperture around 2.0 for close ups and around 4.0+ for wide shots
Shutter speed minimum 1/250

DETAILS

If I have instructed to you photograph details, please be sure to pick up my style board if the schedule allows or bring your own neutral colored (white, cream, gray) board. No need to add in any additional props or trinkets. I love a little bit of greenery & white florals added if & when possible.

You will want to photograph the following groom items:
Ring (if he has it)
Shoes
Cufflinks
Tie
Boutonnière
Watch
Vows
Cologne
Any other special personal items he may have.

Please take various flat lay shots, alternating the items, and shooting at various depths

GEAR SUGGESTIONS

35mm + macro lens
Aperture 4.0+

GETTING READY

GROOMS SOLO

You will most likely be photographing the Groom while I am with the Bride. Please have the Groom stand next to natural light (like a big window, and turn off any indoor lights, if possible) and in front of the cleanest wall you can find. Don't be afraid to take him outside and away from the clutter if there is a blank wall outside.

Photograph him putting on his shoes, tie, cufflinks, watch- adjusting items after groomsmen has helped with jacket.

ROOM WITH GROOMSMEN

BEST MAN: Once done with the groom's solos, grab a few shots of his best man helping him put on his jacket and boutonnière.

GROUP SHOTS: Please then get some group shots of everyone doing the following:
1. Fixing their outfits while chatting (usually in a straight-ish line)
2. Helping the groom straighten up (looks like a horseshoe huddle)
3. "Cheers" if they are drinking
4. Candids of them hanging out (if low on time, just tell them to handshake & high five each other)

GEAR SUGGESTION

25-35mm
Aperture 2.0 for Groom, 2.8- 4.0 for group shots
Shutter speed minimum 1/250

COUPLE’S FIRST LOOK

If our couple is doing a First Look, I'll have you shoot at a different angle than me. I'm usually capturing the Grooms reaction, and will have you capture the Bride's reaction.

Afterwards, we will be taking some couple portraits. While I direct the couple into poses, please bounce around the sides of me, capturing alternate & artistic angles and tight crops of details. Don't be afraid to get a few wide shoots too!

GEAR SUGGESTION
50mm or 85mm
Aperture 2.0
Shutter speed minimum 1/250

BRIDAL PARTY

ALTERNATIVE ANGELS WITH FULL GROUP

I'd love for you to capture some alternative angles while I am directing the full bridal party. Close ups are great!

GROOM + GROOMSMEN

If I am having you help me divide & conquer with the group photos, here are some go-to poses for the guys:

1. Straight line, angled toward groom
2. Flying "V" (pictured to the right)
3. Unbuttoned "bro-hug"
4. Walking "candid" shot

INDIVIDUALS

Please capture the following shots of the Groom with each Groomsmen

1. Full body vertical smiling
2. Close up vertical or horizontal smiling
3. Close up "say what's up to each other"

GEAR SUGGESTION
50MM
Aperture 2.0
Shutter speed minimum 1/250

CEREMONY

1. Please help me capture details and guest reactions before the ceremony begins.

2. Once the ceremony begins, I'll have you stand at the top of the aisle to double shoot the bride walking down. Once she passes you, i'll have you back up and snap a shot of her continuing down the aisle from the back.

3. During the ceremony, we will dance around to capture the event. Be sure to be capturing an alternate angle than me. I'll be focusing more so on the center while you capture side angles and parent reactions.

4. During the first kiss, please come stand next to me in the middle of the aisle to double shoot this moment with me and shoot tight while I shoot wide.

5. After the couple is announced, I will photograph them walking out of the area while you capture the recessional of the wedding party coming back down the aisle.

GEAR SUGGESTIONS
24-70mm, 50mm, 85mm, 135mm
Aperture 2.8
Shutter speed minimum 1/250

COCKTAIL HOUR

While I am with the couple doing family formals, please head to cocktail hour to capture:

1. Details (drinks on a tray or lined up, any signage, some shots of the food/full trays of appetizers)
2. Guests Groupings
3. Guest Candids

While I'd like you to capture a few candids moments of people laughing and talking together, please focus mostly on posed "guests looks at the camera and smiling" photos. Posed are more of the priority than candid.

GEAR SUGGESTION
50mm
Aperture 2.5
Shutter speed minimum 1/250

THE RECEPTION

FIRST PRIORITY: REACTIONS & DETAILS

If time allows, please help me capture details before the reception begins. Please use the same lighting that I am (if I am using flash, please also take photos with flash). During the reception, again be sure to capture alternate angles and ensure you are not in the background of my photos. During speeches, first dances, etc- please try to capture immediate family & guest reactions as your first priority.

GEAR SUGGESTIONS
50mm for details, 85mm for reactions, 35mm for dancing
On-Camera Flash when instructed
Aperture 4.0 for details, 2.0 for reactions + dancing
Shutter speed minimum 1/250 unless using flash

Sunset portraits

If I have you join me for Sunset portraits, there are there types of shots that I love for my seconds to get:

1. Tight crops of hands/details
2. Wide scenic shot, horizontal
3. Any other artistic angles

Bonus if you capture a shot of me photographing the couple as a BTS action shot.

GEAR SUGGESTION
85mm or 50MM
Aperture 1.2-2.0 (as low as you feel comfortable)
Shutter speed minimum 1/250

End of Event

Wrapping Up
At the end of the night, please be sure to exchange memory cards and collect your check.
If your memory cards were used, they will be mailed back to you in a secure, padded envelope within 7 days of the wedding day. A tracking number will be provided to you.
I ask that you please cash your check at your earliest convienence in order to keep the books accurate.

Image Use
Feel free to share your images on social media 60 days after the event. Kindly tag in your capture "Second Shot For @Sarahihadden.
Please do not tag any of the vendors involved in the wedding to avoid confusion. I will ask you to take it down if you do so.
Images are not permitted to be blogged or submitted to publications, nor used for reviews or contests.

THANK YOU

I am so grateful that you are helping me to capture my couple's once in a lifetime event. I know you will help me in documenting all the beautiful moments for them to forever look back on with joy. I can't thank you enough.

I'll be in touch closer to the wedding day with more specifics, but please feel free to reach out at any time with questions.

Talk soon!