Second Shooter and Blogging

nicoleshilliday

Anyone have any thoughts on using second shooter photos on your blog to help show the entire wedding day story?

I usually write something like "captured by the second shooter" or something like that under the photo.

I never use their photos on my main site, but with the blog it is more about showing a story of the entire day...

What do you do? :scratch

Moogle Pepper

You can say as you introduce the visitor to the images in the first or so paragraphs, "second shot by (whomever) and images are mixed.". This way it doesn't break the flow as you look at the images.

BlueSkyPhotos

I just say who shot the event, without specifying who did what image. I do the same in the smugmug event galleries. I never use second shooter's images on my main site.

Sam

I personally don't see any issue with using your seconds images on your web site. You are showing your potential clients what they can expect when they hire you. Your second shooter is part of that.

Nothing wrong with letting your clients know and see the work of your second. That way they can see that the added cost for the second is well worth it.

Sam

marikris

Being main, it's hard to be able to capture everything when you have to deal with formals and the must have shots. So I think it's important to use your second's images on the blog to show the wedding story. Unless the story is not what you're trying to show and just want to showcase what you felt were your best shots.

I just preface it with an intro on who the second shooter is and that his/her shots are mixed in. I used 4 of my second's images on the blog, and I had them in storyboards so it was not appropriate to insert her name in every photo she shot.

bnlearle

I always say something like "my friend, so and so, who's an awesome photographer, came and second shot with me and killed it!" or something like that. Then I blog the images like normal. The second shooter's images are never in my portfolio.

Matthew Saville

Yeah, if you build your entire business around a standard of excellence and not JUST the personal style of one person, you as the primary photographer will be known as a professional whose "team" is also exceptionally skilled. These days, tag-along and 2nd shooters are a dime a dozen, and maybe it can be a selling point that your 2nd shooters are people you trust to get GREAT images.

I've been a "special request 2nd shooter" at least twice in the past, where a bride and groom either specially requested that I be a "co-shooter" for the wedding, or that I simply be the lead shooter's pick as a 2nd. Doing another one next month I believe.

It's an alternative to the current philosophy about personal branding, but I firmly believe that this "standard of excellence" thing I'm talking about can be a selling point especially in the higher end markets where a skilled 2nd shooter is EXPECTED.

So, feel free to use 2nd shooter images however you please, even in your main portfolio if you decide to represent your business that way. Instead of having "photography" on the end of your business name, have "photographers".


But, like I said, it's just a BUSINESS decision for you to make about how you represent yourself... :-)

=Matt=

Blurmore

I work as a second shooter for a photographer who regularly posts about 50/50 of their blogged/facebooked images of mine/theirs and doesn't credit me. I could care less....so long as the money is in the bank.

nicoleshilliday

Thanks for the advice.

I just always have a hard time with the mine is mine and yours is mine shooting

Kinkajou

I have seen a couple photographers point out a couple of images specifically, e.g.: here are a bunch of shots from the day. ____, my trusty second shooter got that awesome ring shot and the lovely shot of mom and dad.

In any case, I think I agree that it's a nice thing to do... show your second some love. Publicly let them know that you appreciate their work.

Moogle Pepper

kinkajou wrote: »

i have seen a couple photographers point out a couple of images specifically, e.g.: Here are a bunch of shots from the day. ____, my trusty second shooter got that awesome ring shot and the lovely shot of mom and dad.

In any case, i think i agree that it's a nice thing to do... Show your second some love. publicly let them know that you appreciate their work.

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