Associate & second shooter guidelines
Hi lovely fellow photographer!
Welcome to the Chloë Caldwell Photography team! I’m excited to have you on board and can’t wait to have some fun shooting together.
It would be really helpful if you could mimic the way I shoot so that I can deliver a consistent gallery to the couple and make editing easier. I’ve put together this little guide with a reminder of settings, set-up and expectations. Full details can be found in the associate and second photographer contracts respectively. I’ve asked you to represent my brand because I really love your work and think you’re great – so please don’t be offended! I know you’ll do a brilliant job, this is just to make sure we’re on the same page.
I want you to feel comfortable whilst working for me so if you have any questions or need any help then please don’t hesitate to ask. Thanks so much and I can’t wait to work with you!
Camera Settings
· Please shoot in aperture priority where possible. Only switch to manual if needed/for dancefloor/creative stuff/if aperture priority is acting up or doesn’t work with the lighting.
· Aperture – please shoot as wide open as the scenario allows, always below F2.8 where possible. Apart from where you need to go higher for staggered group shots, details or creative purposes.
· ISO – I try to avoid a high ISO as much as possible so if you need to lower the F-stop in order to reduce the ISO please do (try to keep below ISO 4000).
· Shutter Speed – please try to keep a minimum shutter speed of 1/200 to avoid camera shake. When shooting in aperture priority, please set a your minimum shutter speed to at least 1/200.
· White Balance – please set to your WB to Kelvin 5500 – this is really important! Please don’t forget.
Shooting Setup
· Memory Cards – please shoot RAW to dual card slots and remember to format cards before you start shooting. I’ll give you cards either on the wedding morning or before the wedding day if we’re starting in different locations/if you’re associate shooting for me.
· Please don’t format your cards for at least 3 days following the wedding when second shooting or 7 days after posting a set of the cards to me when associate shooting, so that I can ensure that the images have been successfully downloaded and backed up. If my card corrupts, your copy will be needed. If you’d prefer not to use your own cards, please let me know in advance and additional cards will be provided. This would mean you wouldn’t be able to keep a copy of the images.
· Time Syncing – if we can, let’s time sync our cameras. If we start the day in different locations let’s try to remember to time sync before the ceremony. If you’re associate shooting for me, please time sync your cameras with each other at the start of the day.
· Overshooting – please don’t do it. It’s no fun having to cull thousands of extra images. As a second shooter I’d like you to capture the moments I’m unable to, so with that in mind, please don’t duplicate what I’m already shooting. Unless I’ve asked you to, there’s no need for you to capture things that I’ll already be capturing like venue shots, bridal prep, the same angle of portraits, etc. When it comes to candids, try to wait for the ‘moment’ rather than bursting 10 of someone. Please aim for a maximum of 1500 files when second shooting (unless of course I’ve specifically asked you to capture additional elements or it’s a particularly jam-packed wedding).
· Framing – please pay attention to your framing. Cutting off toes, fingers, tops of heads, etc, often makes a great photo undeliverable.
Couple's Portraits (as a second photographer)
I may ask you to assist me during the couple’s portraits, for example to help with the dress or if it’s raining. But please remember that not all couples feel comfortable with having a second photographer present during the portraits, and some have paid for a second photographer specifically so that they can capture guests candids during this time, so please don’t be offended if I ask you to remain with the guests. If you are with us, it can be distracting and confusing for the couple if the second shooter is also directing them so please allow me to lead.
Expectations
· Please avoid wearing jeans and be sure to look smart and presentable. If in doubt, dress like a guest, not a staff member! You don’t have to be head to toe in black when working with me.
· Please don’t promote your own business, including giving out business cards or your social media handles. If a guest asks for a card please direct them to me or offer them my details.
Pre-wedding meeting (as an associate photographer)
I will carry out all of the pre-wedding planning and communciation with the couple and provide you with a comprehensive timeline and brief, including a group shot list. I may request that you make yourself available for a short (max 30min) zoom call with myself and the couple just before their wedding to finalise plans and clarify details.
Image Usage
I’m happy for you to use the images 12 weeks after the wedding in your own portfolio on social media, your website or in printed materials. Please don’t submit your images for blog feature.
I want to avoid all opportunities for the couple to see any images other than those delivered by me. It can cause complications if they see a different edit or an image that hasn’t been delivered to them. So please don’t tag the couple, venue or any of the other suppliers on social media, or follow the couple on Instagram. All opportunities for the couple to see any second shooter images should be avoided.
Under no circumstances are you permitted to deliver images to the couple or any of the suppliers. If requested, please direct them to me.
Under no circumstances are images of children permitted to be shared. This includes any image which includes a child (any person under the age of 18), including group shots. If you are not sure that every person in an image is over 18, please do not share it.
Payment
Second shooting – I’ll pay your invoice within 48 hours of the wedding, provided you’ve sent me an invoice. If you send it to me sooner, I’ll do my best to get it paid before the wedding day.
Associate shooting – I’ll pay your invoice within 48 hours of the wedding, provided you’ve sent me an invoice. If you send it to me sooner, I’ll do my best to get it paid before the wedding day. If you’d like a 25% deposit to secure the date, please detail this on your invoice and I’ll pay it upon booking.
Please send your invoice to chloe@chloecaldwell.co.uk. Note that I cannot make any payments until I have received an invoice. Please confirm receipt of all payments via email, thank you.
Thank you
…so much for respecting the above guidelines, I really appreciate it and can’t wait to work with you. If you have any questions or would like to chat about anything before the wedding, just let me know.
Chloë