I'm so excited to have you along! I know this isn't your first rodeo, but I also know what it's like to work with someone new and the questions that can arise. I'm a person that believes in giving more information than needed so you don't feel lost wondering "what does Jenna want." I also think it’s great to have an open conversation about expectations ahead of time. This makes sure that on the day of the wedding, we’re able to best compliment each other to tell a beautiful complete story of the wedding day of my couple.

Below I have some general tips, direction, and images for inspiration. I promise I'm a chill person and am not the type at all that will micromanage you all day! I want you to do your thing, and have a good time doing it!

Really the way that I look at my second shooters is an extension of me, helping to capture moments that I cannot. Shooting alternate angles than where I am. Shooting opposite lenses from me. You know the drill <3

- jenna

WELCOME

a note about this guide

I love details! My grooms will have their details set aside for you to shoot when you arrive — shoes, bowtie, cuff links, cologne, watch, vow book, boutonniere, wedding band, etc. If you have a neutral styling mat you can bring with, amazing! Otherwise look for a clean neutral surface (or chair) and bring it by a window. It’d be great if you could stylize a few different set ups of the details all together and then a few details separate, like the shoes, cologne, + boutonniere.

For the vast majority of my weddings, you will be capturing the guys getting ready solo. Here's just a couple things to keep in mind. The most important thing is going to be turning off all overhead light to help create our clean natural light!

THE FELLAS

All about

DETAILS

Find a clean area by the window for the groom to get his details on and/or to read any letter from the bride. Make sure all lights are turned off so we are just working with natural light. If he needs help putting anything on, I like to bring the BM or his dad in.

Aside from details and getting him dressed, if you can grab some candids of the guys hanging out, that'd be awesome!

GETTING DRESSED

For most all weddings, you'll be shooting portraits with me! But for some weddings, I'll need you to shoot the groomsmen portraits solo prior to the ceremony. In those cases, I'd love you to hit more of those classic looks - all the guys looking at you, looking at each other, you can have them walk towards you, etc. 

If the groom wants individuals with each of his guys, I just need one vertical, full body individual. Make sure to not cut off any toes. Ideally at 2.8. And if you have time to grab a detail of the boutonniere, amazing!

GROOMSMEN PORTRAITS

You’ll most always be with me for wedding party portraits. While I’m shooting the primary angle, it’d be awesome if you could grab a few different angles (more from the side) along with some close up shots (flowers, shoes, people laughing, etc.). I love shooting at a more low aperture for these! 

WEDDING PARTY &
B/G PORTRAITS

Because every ceremony site is different, we’ll figure out where we’ll be positioned once we arrive at the church/venue. Typically though, I’m at the front next to the groom to get the bride coming down the aisle along with the groom’s reaction. I tend to have you in the back to quickly duck behind the bride and get her walking down the aisle from the back. From there, I’ll likely be in the main aisle for most of the wedding. Rule of thumb is to stay opposite of each other. And always be mindful of where the other is so we’re not in each other’s shots.

I love my second shooters during ceremonies for guest reactions, especially of each set of parents. No flash please unless the venue calls for it, which we’ll discuss if it does <3

For masses and/or ceremonies that include communion, put your camera down and don’t worry about shooting that part.


CEREMONY

The

You can turn your camera off for this part. The only thing I need your help with is gathering groups. You can find the groupings on the timeline that I send your way. While I’m shooting the first group, I’ll have you gathering the next group that’s “on deck.” Don’t be scared to use your loud voice to announce the next group and get them set! The goal is to get through these as fast as we can, because no one says “OMG shooting family portraits is my fave part of shooting a wedding.”

FAMILY PORTRAITS

For most of my weddings, you’ll be covering the cocktail hour solo. Yes, I know that no one likes to shoot cocktail hour. But I appreciate you supporting me <3 I typically shoot most candids, some pulled back to show the "scenery" if it's outdoors. And then sprinkling in a few group shots. People at cocktail hour naturally start to pose for pictures with their friends. I typically migrate to those groups and ask if I can steal the shot for the bride and groom! 

If they have hor d’oeuvres, if you can grab a detail shot of the server holding them, that'd be amazing. Most servers will stop for you and allow you to take a shot before handing it out to guests. And then just check to see if they have any specialty drinks to grab a detail of!

COCKTAIL HOUR

Some timelines are tight and don’t always allow me tons of time to capture any ceremony site / reception room details. If it’s the case that I’m still doing portraits and can’t get details, I’ll let you know and I’ll ask you to capture them for me. I tend to focus on the tables that have the most natural light on them. Paying attention to the smaller details that make the design that much more thoughtful. I prefer shooting details at a lower aperture, but only one that you feel confident shooting at!

All of this is pretty standard. And we'll be together for almost the full day. However in the off chance I need you to capture something on my behalf, here's a couple things to keep in mind.

RECEPTION

The

ROOM DETAILS

For speeches, I’ll work to get the speaker and bride/groom reactions if you can get some of the speaker and then crowd reactions.

I don’t do table shots (in case someone asks) or any shots of people eating food, because let’s face it… no one likes photos of them eating and most everyone feels uncomfortable when a camera is pointing at them mid-bite.

For special dances, we'll just shoot different angles. Then for the open dance floor? Just go wild. And don’t laugh at me when I’m in the middle of the group dancing with them trying to get some shots!

SPEECHES & DANCING

This is common sense, but I wanted to bring it up because you never know. Please dress in wedding appropriate attire. Please no casual wear, white dresses, or athletic shoes. I prefer to blend in. I'll either dress like a guest or wear something black. By no means do you need to dress that way, but please be sure that you’re not wearing any clothing that makes you stand out <3

While we always love to talk business when we’re together, please refrain from talking negatively in front of wedding guests. Also very important, please do not show the back of your camera to anyone other than me.

Lastly, keep in mind that any time we, as photographers, second shoot, we represent the primary photographer and his/her business. Please refrain from mentioning your own photography business name and/or handing out your business cards. If anyone inquires about services, please send them my way <3

Before starting the day, I'll have to go to this link to sync the time of your cameras so we're shooting at the same time. If we start the day together, I'll give you a card of mine to shoot on to make file transfer easy! If it's the case that we don't start together, I'll try to remember to give you one of my cards when we come together for the day at the first look or ceremony.

At the end of the wedding, you'll either hand me my cards back OR we'll quickly load your cards onto my hard drive. Payment wise, I can either pay via check or Venmo/Zelle. Let me know if you have a preference!

Eight weeks after the wedding, you’re welcome to post the images you took to your website or blog. Please do not post them on any social media platform. When using any images, please be sure to mention that they were taken while second shooting for Jenna Marie Photography and link to my website (www.jennamariephotography.co). Also please refrain from posting the last names of the couple and/or tagging them or any of the vendors.


link

ETIQUETTE

THE OTHER STUFF

This is  highly asked for info! Below is a general range that would be amazing if you can stay within. However if a specific situation calls for something different then by all means please do! I get things happen on a wedding day. And we need to be able to adjust. Also I totally know you're a competent shooter. Just being in these ranges helps to blend styles together a little easier.

Settings cheat sheet

  • Focal Length: Ideally 50mm or longer (i.e. 50-200mm, etc.). I tend to shoot most of the day on a 50mm equivalent lens. If you need to go wider for a group photo or if there's limited space or we're shooting dancing photos, etc. then by all means please do go wider with your focal length. Please don't go wider than 35mm, though, if at all possible.
  • Aperture: 4.0 or wider (i.e. 1.2 - 4.0)
  • Shutter Speed: 1/160 or faster (i.e. 1/160 - 1/8000)
  • ISO: Ideally below 2500 (i.e. 100 - 2500)
  • Flash ISO: 1000-1600, but we can match settings depending on the lighting at the time
  • File Format: RAW, the largest file setting
  • SD Card: I'll give you an SD card when we meet, usually right before the day starts, so you can shoot on it for the rest of the day! 
  • Time Sync: If you can go here to sync your camera(s), that'd be amazing! Just makes sure our photos line up while culling/editing.

here

THANK YOU!

I can't wait to work together! I appreciate you for choosing to work alongside me! If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to reach out! You can email direct at jenna@jennamariephotography.co or text me at (312) 504-0690.

- jenna

© jenna marie photography 2024