A
GUIDE FOR SECOND SHOOTING
morgan taylor artistry
Let's capture the most memorable moments together. Authentically, Romantically, and Professionally.
First impressions mean a lot to me. What you wear, how you act, arriving on time, and what you say... it all matters. In fact it sets the tone for the entire day and experience for you and the couple. Please make sure to dress professional. If you are unsure you can always ask me personally.
but what do i wear?!?
Please arrive early and make sure you have enough time to set up your equipment. It is very important that you are ready to shoot at the designated time. I will provide you with an sd card if we are shooting at the same location. If not please have one ready to use or notify me if I need to mail you one in advance.
arrival time
I am quiet by nature and I attend to attract more conservative couples. One thing my couples always mention is that I feel like a friend. I want this to be a friendly and inviting atmosphere. If you have any questions while shooting please make sure to ask me on the side.
be yourself but read the room
First impressions
More Questions?
Prep, What to Shoot - Buttoning cuffs, tying tie, putting on jacket, best man (or dad) helping groom put on jacket, tying shoes, groom and groomsmen holding fancy glasses or bottles, mother of the groom placing the boutonniere on the groom’s jacket…
If you can stage something fun with incredible light I will love you forever! Most importantly make sure they're having fun. This is likely their last down moment before all of the BIG MOMENTS to come. If they are not doing a first look you may have to take some family formals before transitioning to ceremony. Please see the google doc for reference!
candids with the guys
Again I know that grooms aren't always incredibly excited for this portion of the day. Please push them a little out of their comfort zone. Make sure you take them to a place with natural light, minimal or no distractions behind them, and PLEASE make sure all tungsten lights are turned off! Grooms are notorious for leaving items in their pockets. Please make sure that everything is out of their pockets for this part. Please review the notes in the google doc sent to you and note if there are any "key" members requested to help with his getting ready.
getting dressed
If the bride and groom are getting ready at the same location I will likely be taking care of both sets of details. However, this is not always the case. If you are capturing details please make sure to review my list HERE and make sure the groom has most of these things prepared. I would love for you to shoot on a neutral colored styling mat. Make sure to capture everything together as well as separetely.
the details
This part of the day is so important because we may not be together shooting. Often grooms are nervous or just "not into it" so please try to capture everything needed, push them to do more than they want, but don't wear them out too early!
ROOM PREP
Groom Portraits - Groom smiling looking away, groom smiling looking at camera, groom model face looking away & looking at camera. Also have him sit and lean forward resting on his left forearm (usually near the window).
G
Before the ceremony you will see a "pre-ceremony" listed on the timeline. During this time we will go over where I would like you to shoot and what moments are a "must" have for me. Typically I want you to capture the moments before the bride walks down the aisle with her father. You do not need to shoot the bridal party coming down the aisle unless you see a specific moment happening or I tell you to. I will also want you to capture a wide shot of the bride and her father coming down the aisle from behind. (Please use a 35mm or 50mm for this) Directly following this moment you can come center until I replace you and then shoot angles from the side. I like to be in the center for the kiss with you alongside me. One of us will shoot tight and the other will shoot wide. Afterwards I will capture the processional while you follow the bride and groom out.
Ceremony
I will absolutely tell you who I want you to shoot, what I want you to shoot with, and the angle I would love you to capture. However, If I do not have time to be this specific please focus tight on the grooms reaction. There are certain parts of the day that are more about capturing the moment and less about setting up the perfect aesthetic and to me this is one of them. If you need to move in order to capture the moment please feel free to do so. After the first look I will move directly into shooting the couple. Please focus in tight on them. The details, their looks, as well as focusing on shooting horizontal images both up close and wide.
My favorite Lenses for this...
85mm / 135mm / 70-200mm
First Look
I will try to capture all of the bridal party shots myself and have you focus on candids. I like to have you capture tight shots of the bridal party and focusing in on all the key members. If time allows I would also ask that when I shoot individuals of the bride with bridesmaids and groom with groomsmen that you capture the bridal party individually. If you are capturing individuals please capture a full body vertical shot, a cropped from head to knee vertical shot, and for the guys a horizontal "handshake or hug" shot. For the girls please capture a full body vertical shot, a cropped from head to knee vertical shot, and a cropped looking at one another shot. I will provide you with an exact location to capture this. If time does not allow please choose a non distracting back lit location.
Bridal Party
Please capture portraits with me unless I ask you to capture something else. Focus tight on the couple. You can also capture wider horizontal shots, as this is something I would like to capture more of. Pay attention to if I am shooting horizontal or vertical and please capture the opposite. Please look for different angles, but if there is only one good angle then again just focus on capturing a different shot than me. Either tight or horizontal.
Portraits
To me this is the second most important moment for a second shooter besides groom prep. I will be shooting the room at this time and the room reveal. Please use this time to capture guests together. I like to get large groups, couples, and family members together. If the couple has any "cocktail & reception photos" listed on the google doc during this time please feel free to grab some of those as well! I cannot tell you the countless times I have been thanked by my couples for grabbing these images. I know that they're not the most exciting moments to capture but they really do appreciate it and it's all thanks to you! I would also love you to grab some details, food images, and the signature drink of course!
Cocktail hour
Please DO NOT shoot during this time unless I ask you to. During this time I will likely ask you to call out the family formals. In the case that there is a planner or assistant with me I would like you to focus on capturing couples together. Bridal party couples, parents of the bride and groom (please look at the google doc to see if there are any family sensativities) If time allows you can also grab "astablishment shots" of the venue, focus on behind the scenes, and help me with placing the family members.
family photos
During the reception I will ask you to capture entrance along side of me. For this moment I will request you to use a different lens then me (typically a 35mm or 50mm) I often use off camera flashes and will request that you set yours up next to mine so they are less likely to be a distraction in our shots. During formalities I will most likely ask you to shoot tight, emotional, shots of the couple & parents. During speeches it is very important to me that my second focuses on reactions. Take note of where the "key members" such as parents, grandparents, and bridal party are sitting ahead of time because those guests will likely have the most reactions throughout the speeches. At some point during dancing I may sneak away to start on my sneak peek gallery. PLEASE cover the dance floor during this time as well as grabbing guests together at their table for a photo!
Reception
My hope is that this is a day for you to have fun, learn, enjoy, and hopefully have some incredible content to share. I blog and deliver all of my galleries 90 days after the wedding day. Please do not share any content before this time. I want you to share, but when you do, I request you do not tag any vendors or couples. Please tag capturing while shooting with @morgantaylorartistry when you share content from the day.
Can i share?
AFTER THE WEDDING
If any of your equiptment break prior to the wedding, please let me know! I would rather rent it for you if it is really important for the day
IF SOMETHING BREAKS
A
It is so important to me that we capture the guests as well as the couple. In my oppinion we have three INCREDIBLE opportunities to do this. #1 pre-ceremony This is the best time because the light is good and people are not eating. #2 Cocktail hour. #3 During reception as people enter and those who are not dancing.
"GRAB AND GRINS"
Please back up your images immediately after the wedding. It is important to me that you treat every wedding as it is your own and make sure that these memories are preserved! I back up my images and save my cards, but you just never know!
BACKING UP IMAGES
PLEASE save all of your images on two cards. Make sure they're both in RAW format. If you need cards prior and we are not starting at the same location ask me ahead of time.
SAVE YOUR IMAGES ON 2 CARDS
FEW OTHER DETAILS TO NOTE
love morgan taylor
Please know that you are so appreciated. I cannot express how much I value your presence, professionalism, talent, and personality. When you work a wedding day with me I am putting my full trust in you to represent the most important thing to me! Please have fun and just continue to be the incredibly talented individual that you are!
I cannot wait to work together!
What's Next?
Morgan Taylor Artistry is a Philadelphia based Wedding and Engagement Photographer, serving Clients in Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, and Worldwide. Her airy and timeless style attracts couples who value the details, have an appreciation for style, but above all, value family and spending time with the people they love.