Garyminor Loc: Raleigh, NC

I'll be a guest at my grandson's wedding late this April. The photographer, a professional wedding photographer, is family friend, traveling in from a distant city. All of his pictures will be available to the family and can be distributed to anyone they wish. I have a new camera and flash (Cannon 70D and 430EX II) and would like to take some pictures of my own, also to be freely given and distributed.

I plan to operate with these guidelines.

1) Stay out of his way. Ideally, he wouldn't know I was there.

2) Don't try to duplicate his shots.

3) Take pictures that he can't get because is tied up elsewhere.

4) Go where he isn't. That is, other locations, other times. The bridesmaid's' luncheon will be at our house. I should get some good shots then.

5) ???

Help me fill in more items. Comments are welcome.

Cattreasure

Looks like you have a good plan. If you are looking for some other interesting shots, how about hang out with the guys while they are getting ready for the wedding. Usually turns into some fun shots. How about the rehearsal and groom's dinner. My personal favorite is going with the bride for her hair and makeup trial run along with her final fitting.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

First it is great that you are considerate enough of the primary photographer to make a list and it is a very good list. The most annoying thing is when some unknown photographer starts moving around, getting in the shots, and you never know where they will be next.

Having said that, make sure you call the photographer, send an email, or at least talk with them the day before. I am sure it will be a much more pleasant experience for both of you.

I got into this wedding gig just doing pics from the pew as I call it. I talked with the photographer and bonded immediately. He took me under his wing so to speak and started calling me over to see some of his techniques.

I think most of us are interested in sharing the passion, but like I said, there is nothing more annoying than trying to figure out why that stranger is jumping into the father daughter dance image.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I think you sound like an ideal second shooter. I do agree, that you should at least take a few minutes to meet with the paid photographer, and set up a "game plan" for some shots that he knows he will be unable to get because there is only one of him.

Share your results, I'm sure we'd all love to see them. (only critique if you ask for it)

fotodon Loc: Oberlin, OH

I agree with all the posts. I would add, please contact the pro and establish a working relationship. What you will be able to do is what he will allow. You will have to honor his wishes to respect your grandsons right to a smooth wedding. Since he is a family friend he may be OK with you acting as a second shooter so that you can both work at giving the family some great memories. That would be ideal.

However, that may not happen. At my granddaughter's wedding the pro was a friend of the groom's family. (Groom's family paid for everything) I contacted the pro through my granddaughter and son to let her know that I would be taking a few shots of my family at the reception. When I got my camera out the pro through a fit and told me that she would leave if I didn't put it away. Of course I did for my granddaughters sake. After the pro left the reception, I got my camera out and got some great shots. It was an afternoon reception in July and the pro left before the evening sweet light. I got what she missed and the below shot is in several homes where there are none of hers.

fotodon Loc: Oberlin, OH

I want to add to my above post that this image was not the one I wanted to post. The one with the power line removed and better editing is on another computer. Before you all do critiquing...the wedding was very austere and was at the county fairgrounds. Every other background would have had ugly horse and cow barns. And, guess what was in the paid pro's backgrounds.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Wasn't going to critique, as no critique was requested. My comment was that sometimes, knowing the person well, makes it easier to capture their personality. I think that's why we really try to get to know our clients, and don't do weddings for people that we can't meet with and get to know. It shows up in the pictures.

As you can see from Don's photo here, you can see how comfortable she is with him.

bk

fotodon Loc: Oberlin, OH

So true about getting to know your customer. And, as a "smart"????? photographer, I automatically request critiques and happily accept them. Just wanted to save you all the many keystrokes it would take to point out what I already know is not good.

BTW. I posted this shot as much to show off my beautiful granddaughter as to illustrate the story. And, the over the shoulder inset was very important to her as the tattoo was gotten to celebrate her first child, my first great grandchild. The pro didn't get this one either. I think I would have gotten this even if the bride was not related because we always get to know the B&G very well before the wedding. Other than to bring my granddaughter to tears over my shooting a few shots, she never spoke to her. She acted like her only customer was the groom and his family although she told the grooms stepmother to put her T3i away. Sheesh!!!

For the newbies; "No photographer" clauses in contracts are a very touchy thing. Too strong and you will scare the best clients (outgoing B&Gs) away. Lack of will open you to another photographer showing up to shoot the wedding. This seems to be happening more and more as B&Gs and respective families seem to be planning weddings in their own vacuum and friends and relatives are offering to use their shiny new DSLRs.

This item has driven major and constant tweaks in our contract. We can't seem to find the perfect wording and have decided that we are going to go over this item with the B&G in detail, note comments on the contract, and initials by all parties, maybe even parents. Maybe I should start a new thread on this, but I would appreciate any comments.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Wording on that part of the contract would be a great post all by itself. I know ours is pretty vague, as we really have only run into one situation where it became a problem. Not too bad in 30+years. The thing is, the reason things are put in contracts are because they HAVE been a problem either to you, or someone, to the point where it is something to be addressed.

It would be interesting to see excerpts from various contracts to see how different people (and their lawyers) handle it.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

I wasn't even thinking of a critique because the image and the moment captured makes any power line editing meaningless. It sounds like the hired pro was not capable of seeing those opportunities.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Honestly, as "the hired" guy at most weddings I attend, even with second shooters, it is really impossible to capture every single moment, because so much of the day is full of beautiful things to capture.

I'm not taking offense, just giving an opinion from the other side of the fence.

That's why we always have a minimum of 2 shooters, and sometimes 3. (but I'd venture to guess we still miss things) All we can do is our best. It says that in our contract. :)

fotodon Loc: Oberlin, OH

Absolutely correct Bob. However, I was pointing out that the pro didn't bother to communicate with my granddaughter and missed some important shots for her. You and I both know that by establishing a real relationship with the B&G mitigates this type of situation. Sometimes we even know to get an important shoot even when it is not requested. But sometimes circumstances mess things up. S'ht happens.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Absolutely, That relationship is also important, because we get a lot of family photos, baby photos, and referrals from those clients that become friends. I get emails and Christmas cards from many of our past clients, and I also send them out, not just as a business, but just cards that are signed by me. I think if I kept sending them, with "sales pitches" it may even work against me. I've been told my new customers (just one this morning) that said, "a friend of yours suggested I contact you" that friend, was someone who's wedding I shot a few years ago.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Seems like we strayed from the original question a bit .......

Back to the original question ..........

My advice would be to capture only candid moments. Often the pro is snapping the posed shots and there is a need for that. However, if you ask most bride and grooms which pictures were their favorites it will be candid/emotional shots.

Often the best photos are not the ones that are planned/posed ........

Every young girl watches a wedding with amazement, it's a fairy tale to watch for them, great candid/emotional snaps.

Mother of the bride, grand mother of the bride. Usually get emotional during the ceremony, great opportunities for candid/emotional snaps.

Remember the pro and 99% of the other camera snappers there will have their attention on the B&G ......... no need to stumble over each other only to duplicate shots ... always find a different vantage pint and then look for the candid/emotional snaps ;)

Here are a few examples, I was there as a second shooter ....... all were candid.

BTW, all were taken with a Canon 70D and kit lens ;)

A quick glace from the bride ....... incredible look


Snaps of people taking selfies is always good for candid snaps


Grand mother of the bride and one of the grooms men ....... granny still rockin' it


Candid moment between bride and the flower girl .......... a fairy tale to watch. Look at the feet on the flower girl.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Great examples of candid shots.