As a second shooter/photographer am I not supposed to eat any of the buffet style appetizers?

Just remembered a situation wherw a photographer told me not to as his second and how you shouldn't do it, but nobody seemed to care or say anything at literally any other wedding. I'd seen other photographers partake as well, although to be fair the ones previous to this were lower budget ones.

I'm a relatively new event and wedding photographer, with about 2.5 years of experience, and I'm looking to improve my off-camera flash skills.

I shoot Sony (A7III/A9) and currently have two Godox V1 speedlights and a Godox X2 wireless trigger.

My biggest challenge is that I'm not particularly technologically inclined, and it takes me a while to get my off-camera lighting set up and working reliably. I'd really like a system that's intuitive, quick to set up, and easy to adjust on the fly during events.

I'm trying to decide whether to stick with Godox and invest in a couple of AD200Pro strobes, or switch to Westcott and purchase their FJ200 strobes and compatible speedlights and trigger.

For those of you who've used both systems, which do you prefer, particularly when it comes to ease of use and reliability? Is Westcott significantly more intuitive, or would I be better off sticking with Godox and getting more comfortable with the system I already own?

Thanks so much!

I’m a wedding photographer shooting on the R5 with my 35mm and 85mm lens and I favourite low aperture favourite through and through. I have a basic 24-105 that came with my R5 and find myself reaching for it more often for wider epic shots and it’s doing the job-ish but definitely lacking on what I love (depth of field ofc) I can’t decide whether to invest next in the RF 24-70 or the 15-35?
If you have any of these lenses and are a wedding photographer I’d love to hear your thoughts on them!

I’m finally upgrading to mirrorless from shooting with 5d mark iv bodies exclusively. I’m leaning towards the r6iii but want to know your opinion. I mostly photograph weddings/couples. I’d love to upgrade to the r5ii but idk that I can justify the cost right now since I want two bodies.

I’m newer to wedding photography and looking to gain new clients. How do you find couples and secure them booking with you?

Looking for advice. I've been shooting for nearly 15 years, hundreds of weddings, and have never lost a file before. Recently, due to a series of mistakes and miscommunication's I lost the files from one of my assistant shooters memory cards. My heart fell into my feet when I realized what had happened. I've tried recovery and unfortunately it can't be recovered.

I'm trying to sort out what might be the best route going forwards. I have all of my files from the wedding as well as half of my assistant shooters. I barely stopped moving during this wedding and shot it almost as if I were solo so I know I have a full gallery that I can deliver to them. The only thing I know I am missing are the photos with the groom and the individual groomsmen. I do have multiple shots of all of them together as well as a lot of candids throughout the day. I of course will also be missing any additional candids, angles, and guest shots that might be on the lost card.

My anxiety is out of control and any advice/insight is appreciated!

Hi friends! I’m currently about to go full time into photography + wedding photography. I’ve been part time for about 4-5 years so I have built a good business for myself however since I am going full time I wanted to see what gets you the most bookings for weddings? Is it sites like the knot, Google ads, Instagram ads, etc? I primarily get most of my business via Instagram and word of mouth and just reached out to some venues about getting on their preferred vendor list

Any advice is super helpful, thank you!

Hey guys! What’s your experience with The Knot and Wezoree? Is it really worth paying to get featured and become a recommended vendor? Have you actually booked weddings through them, or is the competition super high? Let me know if you’ve tried either one! 🙏🏼

Hi all,

I'd normally do this myself but I have been very behind after an injury and need someone to replace a bride in a photo. I would prefer no gen AI usage as I've already been let down by my usual editor slapping the photo in chatgpt(he's never done that before). Happy to discuss cost and budget.

Recently shot a wedding that was really special to me because the clients were in their late 70s and early 80s getting married. It’s not everyday a wedding photographer gets the opportunity to shoot a wedding for a couple later in life.

I sent the sneak peeks, even posted them and the photos blew up on SM because of how great they were. I’m in love with the photos. Well…. I didn’t hear back from them for forever. They sent a slightly aggressive message weeks before the final gallery is predicted to be completed asking where all their photos were and that they didn’t like how “old” they looked in the photos I sent them.

Didn’t have the heart to tell them that I heavily edited their skin already. Not so much that they’re unrecognizable but enough to get rid of bruising, soften veins and marks on the skin-all the stuff any professional would do. But like actually what the hell do I even say to this? I can keep editing the images of course but it is in no way anything what they look like if I go further. Just venting but seriously why are we surprised we look our age? I’ve had this happen with other couples when they’re upset at their body size. I get it. I understand because many times when I see myself in photos I’m like damn I wish I had a smaller frame but THAT IS YOU. and if I just assume I need to edit you to be a different size or age, that could also be taken as highly offensive if they NOTICE the difference. Wedding season is rough this year

I have a bit of a situation, and I'd genuinely love some perspectives from other wedding photographers.

Someone who used to dog-sit for me recently got married. To save money, she had a "family friend" photograph her wedding instead of hiring a professional wedding photographer. (EDITED FOR CLARITY: this was just a guest who owns a Canon camera (metadata says its a canon rebel THERE ARE NO RAWS they were shot in jpeg)

Well, she reached out to me afterward because the photos were... rough. And I don't mean they just need some color correction or a little exposure adjustment.

We're talking JPEGs, severely blown-out highlights, blurry images, and some pretty significant technical issues. I'm not even exaggerating when I say I think an iPhone 2 could have produced better results. And I really wish I were exaggerating.

I genuinely feel awful for her because these are her WEDDING photos. These aren't moments she can simply recreate. (to add we are not even in the same state anymore and she didnt ask for advice ahead of time or I would have done a search for her/ helped her- she went rogue and then posted she was planning a wedding)

I spent some time looking through the images and even experimented with different AI tools to see what might be recoverable... Unfortunately, some of the blur is simply beyond repair, and when highlight detail is completely gone, there isn't much you can do to bring it back.

I was upfront with her about that. I explained that I couldn't fix the blur in certain images and that attempting to salvage the rest would be a significant amount of work, which would make it expensive, assuming the images could even be improved enough to justify the investment.

And that's where I'm sitting right now.

Part of me wants to help because I know how important these memories are. But another part of me knows that taking on a project like this could mean hours and hours of work without any guarantee of results. (edit to add: she does seem very our of touch with all of this like just I can do magic but we are talking 1/25 shutter on a bouquet toss)

so .....

1. What would you do in this situation? Would you offer to salvage a handful of the most important images first? Charge your normal editing or retouching rate? Refer it to someone who specializes in photo restoration like RetouchUp, to see what can be done (I really do not think anything can)? Or politely decline, knowing the limitations?

I'd genuinely love to hear how others would approach both sides of this. Where do you draw the line between wanting to help someone and recognizing that not everything can be fixed? And is there an ethical way to turn an experience like this into education for her?

hello! i have an idea for small buisness. i got camera from 1908- wooden one and i want to put inside normal camera and make BnW photos on weeddings and events.
i'd have one soft box and one flash light behind it, i want to print the photos of course.
the general style to be vintage and produkt to be premium.

i dont know how i should call it.... its not a 'fotobooth' per se but it lives in the same family haha
i want to treat this as small foto session rather ten booth like thing.

i live in switzerland so i came up with name Atelier 1908- fits the meaning, french word (pretty known for small cozy studio) but maybe some one might have some inspiration??

I’m a freelance wedding videographer, and another videographer I’ve known for years asked me to associate shoot a wedding on September 25, 2027. I said yes and marked it on my calendar, but he said we’d discuss it further and that conversation never happened. We never discussed hours, a formal agreement, or cancellation policies.
I recently accepted another job that conflicts with the date and gave him nearly 11 months’ notice. He’s now insisting I help find a replacement or pay a $120 cancellation fee, neither of which we discussed beforehand.
I understand why he thought I was committed, but I feel these expectations are being imposed after the fact.
Am I being unprofessional? Is finding your own replacement standard practice for associate shooters?

Okay, I’m new to the wedding industry so looking for opinions. I shot a wedding where the florist was very kind, but made a point to text me after telling me not to include any photos where you can see her face in the final gallery.

I mean, okay no big deal. She then goes on to tell me she’s putting me on her preferred vendors list and that she loved working with me.

Okay great. Fast forward, I post some client photos on Instagram and tag her as the florist and send a collaboration invite. She doesn’t like, comment, or accept the collab, but I see she was active and sharing other content.

A bit of a bummer, but whatever. She then texts me a week later asking me to send her the final gallery.

I don’t want to send it, but I know I’m probably just being petty because of her lack of support on socials. Do you guys just send over free professional photos to the vendors?

I shoot on a canon r6 II. I’ve got my AF on servo/eye detection and love it except for in situations like this: during the ring exchange I like to get a close up shot of their hands. I’ll have my focal point right over their hands but it will continue to focus on faces in the edge of the frame like the officiant behind them. Or if I want to capture a close up of their vow books as they’re reading them it will focus on the guests in the background instead. I know it’s doing what it’s supposed to do so I’m not complaining about the quality of the eye detection. I’m just curious if there is a custom button setting that would allow me to turn off eye detection for certain shots but keep it on most of the time? I shoot more documentary style for most of the day and am very detail oriented so it would help me A LOT.

i am currently uploading on Instagram and Facebook 3 times a week, and commenting on any posts asking for photographers within the Facebook groups I’m in. however i do want to get a bit more serious with my marketing, but unsure how or where to start! i am UK based, any tips would be really appreciated! 🌟🦋❤️

Hey all.

I have a booth coming up at the end of the month at a wedding show. 5x10’ for context.

Just wondering what others have used for flooring. The show covers the backdrops just no floor.

I was thinking of picking up some of the square floor mats that look like wood from Walmart as it looks ok and is comfy to stand on for long periods of time.

Just wondering on thoughts for those that have had their own booth.

Please & thank you 🙏🏻

So upon delivering the photobook and the usb after finalizing the wedding gallery and sending the online gallery, I like to surprise my couples with a little thoughtful memory/gift, so I wanted to ask you for more ideas or if you do anything similar?
So far it is a little portrait painting (enquiring real artists) of the two of them
Since the artist is lowering the nr of commissions and expanding her business elsewhere, I need new ideas for something special and little to give out as a memory

Hey everyone!

I've been doing product photography for a few years and recently started getting into wedding photography.

I'm looking to get a dual-camera leather harness, but there are so many options out there that I'm having a hard time deciding.

My budget is around $100–180. Ideally, I'd like something made of genuine leather, comfortable enough for a full wedding day, and secure enough to trust with two cameras. Thanks in advance!

Over the past few months I’ve immersed myself into the business side of photography and I’m starting to get some traction on the wedding side of things. Part of starting my business was opening a business account and there was a promotion where I spend X amount of money and then get a bunch of money back. I’m $1000 away from what I need to spend to get said money back, so what should I buy?

I currently have…
Canon R6Mkii
Canon RP
RF 28-70 f2
RF 70-200 f2.8
RF 16 f2.8
RF 24 f1.8
RF 50 f1.8
RF 85 f2
Godox V100
Godox XPro trigger
A soft box, a couple umbrellas, a single C-stand and 5 in 1 reflector

What would you say might be the most beneficial items to add to my kit?

Obviously a second body that is capable, such as another R6Mkii is down the road, but probably not a part of this purchase. Lens filters?

I’m OK on SD cards and other storage at the moment, and I have a peak design sling that I use on shoot days.

Back when I shot weddings for 10+ years, I used a facebook photography group as a way to find second shooters. I've since moved onto a different career, but I'm interested in second shooting as a side hustle.

Are there other ways of finding photographers who need second shooters that I'm not aware of?

Today I broke down and ordered a telescoping garment hook. I’m short and sick of struggling to hang wedding dresses for photos. Just wanted to share in case anyone else can benefit. Hoping the $16 investment will be well worth it!

Post individual wedding, engagement, proposal, couples photos or photo sets or blogs for feedback.

It doesn't matter if you are a seasoned pro, a second shooter, or if you are posting your first wedding photographs as a lead photographer. Don't be shy... constructive feedback is a great way for us all to learn and get improve. Be nice... Be constructive!

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• Single Images: Please post single images if you would like a quality and in depth critique of technical execution, lighting, composition, posing, perspective, post processing, etc. If you would like to post more than one individual photo, please do so as separate comments.
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