SECOND SHOOTER

GUIDELINES

prepared for MACE WEDDINGS

A bride holding a large bouquet of pink, peach, yellow, and cream flowers, with a groom in a black tuxedo close beside her, in a wedding setting.
A wedding ceremony outdoors with a bride and groom walking down the aisle, surrounded by floral arrangements and guests seated on both sides, with string lights overhead and trees in the background.

ONBOARDING OVERVIEW

Thank you for being part of the team. As my second shooter, you play a vital role in documenting the wedding day with consistency, intention, and artistry. This guide outlines expectations, responsibilities, shooting priorities, communication standards, and workflow protocols to ensure we deliver a cohesive, elevated gallery to our couples.

BRAND IDENTITY & VOICE

  • Overall Aesthetic: Elevated, timeless, luminous imagery with editorial softness

  • Tone: Warm, reassuring, calm, intuitive

  • Values: Professionalism, discretion, presence, artistry, client-first mindset

A couple sitting at a decorated outdoor dinner table at night, surrounded by flowers and fairy lights, with a large tree in the background.

OVERALL EXPECTATIONS

Professionalism: Please dress in all black or dark neutrals & aim to blend in.

Punctuality: Arrive 30 minutes early to your scheduled start time.

Attitude: Be warm, calm, discreet, and guest-focused. Anticipate needs of lead photographer.

Shooting Style: Prioritize clean compositions, timeless color, and natural emotion. Avoid overly stylized or trendy techniques.

Delivery: All RAWs must be delivered at your time of departure on the SD card provided to you.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

    • Capture details: shoes, tie, cufflinks, boutonniere, watch, handwritten notes.

    • Candid moments with groomsmen.

    • Portraits of groom, individually and with groomsmen.

    • Ensure room is clean and free of clutter.

    • Angle: You will typically handle the side or back angle.

    • Groom reaction, parents' reactions, wide shots, and guest emotions.

    • Signature Shot: Capture an over-the-shoulder shot of the groom from behind the bride as she walks down the aisle. (Reference example image in “shooting priorities” section)

    • Avoid blocking guests or the primary photographer.

    • High Priority: Guest Coverage — Photograph every guest, either candidly or in a posed group.

    • Group Photo Requirement: Capture a minimum of 25 group photos during this time. Aim for flattering light, clean backgrounds, and natural positioning. (PLEASE TEXT ME “25 groups” at 480-283-7348 when you’ve reached this point to confirm you’ve read this requirement!)

    • Candid guest interactions, décor, food displays, room shots if needed.

    • Help gather family for portraits if asked.

  • Candid interaction, details, reaction shots during toasts, dance floor coverage.

SHOOTING PRIORITIES

A woman in a wedding dress with a flower crown smiling and talking to an elderly woman at a wedding reception.
A wedding ceremony outdoors with a bride, groom, and officiant. The groom is looking at the bride, who has long blond hair. The officiant is dressed in black, and there are colorful flowers decorating the background.

These guidelines reflect the core elements of my shooting style and help maintain a unified, timeless gallery.

  • Timelessness First: Prioritize clean, classic compositions. Avoid trendy techniques such as dutch angles or intentionally blurry shots. These are only acceptable when they are tasteful, intentional, and used sparingly (10% or less).

  • Exposure & Control: High ISO is fine—what matters is correct exposure. You must know your camera well enough to shoot confidently in manual mode, adjusting shutter, aperture, and ISO appropriately.

  • Connection Over Perfection: Anticipate emotion and micro-moments.

  • Clean Backgrounds: Shift or adjust subjects slightly to remove distractions.

  • Consistency: Match my shooting style (reference provided galleries).

  • Preferred Lenses: 35mm, 50mm, 85mm focal lengths, I am not particular about whether they are prime or zoom lenses. Avoid ultra-wide unless directed.

  • Flash Use: Bounced flash should be used for indoor photos where natural light is limited. Bounce your flash to maintain a soft, natural look. Avoid harsh direct flash or overly stylized lighting.

Black and white photo of a group of people sitting in a row at an outdoor event, with some people appearing emotional and focused.

COMMUNICATION, CLIENT INTERACTION, & IMAGE USAGE

  • Stay in light communication throughout the day via text if separated.

  • Ask before moving locations or shifting major angles during key moments.

  • If unsure, check in briefly. It’s always better to clarify.

  • Speak kindly and professionally with guests and vendors.

  • You may use images on your website as porfolio work only.

  • Please do not contact clients in any way outside of providing in-person wedding services for the contracted event or follow them on social media.

  • Do not give directions that conflict with mine or the planner’s.

  • Never hand out your business card or promote your own work.

  • Body language should remain positive and engaged.

  • Images may be used on social media as portfolio work 12 weeks after contracted event date, but appropriate credit must be given and clients/other vendors are NOT to be tagged. Please use the following tag when posting: “Image taken while second shooting for @MaceWeddings”.

GEAR & FILE DELIVERY

  • Please ensure you have two camera bodies with dual card slots in case of any gear malfunctions.

  • Whether you shoot with zoom or prime lenses, please ensure you can cover multiple focal lengths ranging from 35mm to 85mm+.

  • Please ensure your time & date are appropriately synced to time.gov at PST before you take your first image of the day.

  • Always shoot RAW on both cards.

  • Have plenty of batteries and formatted cards.

  • If a technical issue arises, notify me immediately.

  • Please hand over provided SD card with RAW images prior to departing the wedding. Payment will be issued once images are transferred within 48 hours of the wedding date.

  • If delivery via wetransfer is required, do not cull, edit, or adjust images.

  • Keep all files backed up until I confirm gallery delivery.

People gathered at an outdoor event or party on a terrace or patio, with some standing and chatting, surrounded by trees and greenery, near a building with arched windows and a tiled roof.

ONBOARDING CHECKLIST

Before your first wedding with me, please ensure you’ve completed the following:

  • Read through this guide in full.

  • Confirm your gear list and backups.

  • Text me your preferred contact number for the wedding day.

  • Review the following sample galleries to understand my color, composition, and storytelling approach: Gallery 1, Gallery 2, Gallery 3

  • Confirm call time and location.

  • Sign second shooter agreement.

THANK YOU

Your role is essential in creating a seamless, elevated experience for our couples. I’m grateful for your professionalism, your eye for storytelling, and your commitment to excellence.