This past weekend was more fun than a barrel of monkeys, and yes I used to love those things (who doesn’t?)! I had a blast second shooting with Lauren Greenberg and Jon Paul Richardson. For those of you who have never assisted or been a second shooter at a wedding, START NOW! I can’t tell you how much value lay in working with other photographers. Both of you will grow in exponential ways, more so than you could ever learn just shooting on your own or coming fresh out of photography school (and trust me, I’ve done both). School’s great for learning technique, lighting, composition, etc. And NOTHING will make or break you as a photographer like going it alone. You (often) either build confidence quickly, or you plummet into a never-ending “I suck at photography” abyss. You don’t wanna go the second road. But nothing beats working with other professionals (emerging and experienced pros alike). You learn what you like/dislike, angles, equipment, posing, personalities, the list could literally go on and on and on (I’m not even sure the Energizer bunny could keep up!). You ALSO build a great network, and, if you’ve chosen wisely, you’ve gained yourself a great friend!
I’ve second shot in both the KC and Springfield areas quite a bit, and I’ve got quite a few left to go this summer. Why do I do it? I’m glad you asked! I enjoy it! I don’t care if I’m the main shooter, second shooter, or running to the nearest camera store to pick up replacements for photo gear! I love working with these people, and the brides and grooms are always hilarious and a joy to work with! I also love to help out my fellow photographers. I learn a lot, and so do they, and it helps us break up the monotony of working alone often times, especially if you run a one-person show. This list could also go on, but put simply: I love second shooting. It just makes me happy (like red velvet ice cream).
So! Without further ado, I’d like to share a couple of my favorite shots from each wedding I assisted with last weekend! Hope you enjoy!
