I can't say that I remember the first few times I was given the opportunity to shoot second camera with Mark. I'm pretty sure this is because it must have been a hurricane of an experience!
Now that we are in the digital age, it's an amazing thing to have preview screen that lets me verify that by bounce flash illuminated the scene in the way that I wanted. I wish I had that feature then! Despite this great feature, I am uncertain that the instant feedback would have helped much then. Wedding photography is truly a job for the "multi-tasker!"
At the beginning of the day, it is more typical to arrive at the brides house never having seen it before. It's buzzing with activity. There's wedding "stuff" like flowers, cards and decorations around. There are always a lot of friends and relatives in the house. Funny thing is that they usually form themselves into two kinds of groups. Those acting with a purpose, and those waiting around to spring into action or be told what to do. Naturally, the busy ones are the ones helping the bride get ready. Sometimes the ones waiting around are the Brides dad, cousins and other relatives.
Three minutes have now gone by, and hopefully I have captured 5-10 GREAT candid images already. So that means not only have I identified these two typical groups, but I have decided how I am going to illuminate the scenes before me (flash or natural light or both), located the bride and let her know that her photog has arrived (if I am the first to arrive) and finally spotted some suitable outdoor locations for shooting some groups, if the weather is good.
"Second camera" means that I'm not working by myself. So Mark and I have a strategy that doesn't put pressure or demands on the bride to get her picture taken "now that we've arrived." Frankly, we almost don't want anyone to be aware of us! The thing is for some brides, her wedding day begins as soon as two things happen: She reveals herself in her dress AND when the photographers start photographing them. (move over Groom! It's her day :)
I've actually always envied the Second Photographer. Even though as Main Photographer I'm really 90% candid, I still feel the responsibility of making sure that we get what we need, while still acting as if I'm I'm just being candid. I've tried acting like the second photographer a few times, but as the Studio owner I just can't get away from that feeling of being responsible! Be wary of being TOO casual! It's okay to ACT casual, but we really need to be constantly "on" to make sure we're .... getting the job done and not missing anything.
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