Okay, I’m just gonna say it — photographers make their jobs way harder than they need to be. 🙃
If you’ve ever finished a wedding day completely wiped not just from the actual work, but from the mental strain of managing people who didn’t really know what to do… you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. And I’ve learned the hard way that a little workflow prep before the wedding can change everything.
So let’s talk about the three most common second shooter struggles — and how to avoid them.
1. The “wait… what are you doing?” moment
Have you ever glanced over mid-ceremony and realized your second shooter is capturing the same angle as you… again? Or worse — missing something completely? That feeling in your stomach when it’s too late to fix it? Yeah. Been there.
Most of the time, it’s not that they’re a bad photographer. It’s just that no one told them what was expected. Clear roles, shot lists, and boundaries before the wedding are a game changer — but only if you actually communicate them.
2. The pre-wedding-day anxiety spiral
You know that moment the night before a wedding when you realize you haven’t sent your second shooter any details yet? Not the timeline, not where to park, not what lens you’ll be using, not even where to meet you?
It’s easy to forget when you’ve got a million other things on your plate. But skipping that prep moment in your workflow almost always leads to day-of stress — for both of you. (And spoiler: when you’re stressed, your couple can feel it.)
3. The constant cycle of reteaching and reclarifying
Every wedding you’re onboarding someone new, sending a last-minute text, repeating your expectations on the fly. It’s exhausting — and it chips away at your client experience, your brand consistency, and your peace of mind.
But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be this way.
It can be easier, smoother, and way more aligned with the brand you’re building with a solid workflow.
Creating a second shooter workflow — even just a simple onboarding structure — will save your time, your sanity, and honestly… your photos.
That’s why I put together a free guide with three powerful questions to help you vet second shooters before you bring them onto your team. These questions are designed to help you get to the heart of who someone is and whether they’ll show up the way your business (and your clients) deserve.
🥂 Grab the free guide HERE and take the guesswork out of hiring second shooters!
Whether you’re new to outsourcing or have a different second shooter at every wedding, now’s the time to start building a smoother, stronger system. You’ve got too much talent to be stuck reteaching the same thing every weekend. See more photographer education blogs here!
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