Second Shooter Guide
WELCOME TO THE TEAM
Daniella dyan photography
Hi!
I'm so excited to have you as part of the Daniella Dyan Photography team! This guide is here to help you feel prepared, confident, and equipped for a successful wedding day.
Providing an exceptional experience for my couples is my top priority. Every interaction, from our first email to the delivery of their final gallery, is centered around making them feel comfortable, celebrated, and cared for. As my second shooter, you play a huge role in that experience.
When you're shooting alongside me, you're representing my business and becoming an extension of my brand. I strive to create a calm, positive, and fun atmosphere where couples can fully enjoy their day while trusting that every meaningful moment is being documented. Your professionalism, attitude, communication, and attention to detail are just as important as the photos you capture.
This guide outlines my expectations, workflow, and approach so we can work seamlessly together and provide the best possible experience for every couple. Please take the time to read through everything before the wedding day. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out at danielladyanphoto@gmail.com.
I can't wait to work with you and create something beautiful together!
Dress code
As a second shooter for Daniella Dyan Photography, your appearance should reflect the professionalism and elevated experience we provide for our couples. Weddings are formal events, and we're often working alongside planners, venues, families, and other vendors throughout the day. Dressing professionally allows us to blend into the environment while representing the brand well.
Please wear all black attire. This can be either:
A modest black dress, or
Black work slacks paired with an elevated black top or blouse.
Clothing should be clean, polished, comfortable, and appropriate for a full day of movement. Please avoid bright colors, patterns, graphics, denim, athletic wear, or clothing with visible logos.
For footwear, comfort is key. You're welcome to wear comfortable black sandals, flats, or sneakers, as long as they are clean, simple, and professional. Please avoid all-white sneakers or shoes with bright colors or distracting details, as they tend to stand out in reflections and behind-the-scenes photos.
Wedding days are long, fast-paced, and often involve walking, kneeling, climbing stairs, and standing for extended periods. Dressing comfortably while maintaining a polished appearance will help you feel confident and prepared throughout the day.
Professionalism & Expectations
As part of the team, you are representing my brand through both the images you capture and the way you show up throughout the wedding day.
I value a calm, positive, and professional presence at every wedding. My goal is to create an environment where couples and their families feel comfortable, supported, and able to fully enjoy their day. As a second shooter, please be proactive, observant, and intentional, look for moments happening around you, anticipate what may be needed, and help create a seamless experience for everyone involved.
Respect for the couple, their families, the venue, vendors, and any cultural or religious traditions is incredibly important. We are guests in these spaces and should always represent ourselves with kindness and professionalism.
Please avoid complaining, gossiping, excessive phone use, or any behavior that could take away from the positive atmosphere of the day. Stay engaged, team-oriented, and focused on serving the couple. Every interaction, whether with guests, vendors, or the wedding party, reflects the experience we provide and the reputation we are building.
Equipment and Camera settings
Please arrive fully prepared with professional, reliable equipment and ensure everything is tested and ready before the wedding day. As a second shooter, your gear plays an important role in helping us capture the full story of the day.
Second shooters are expected to bring:
- A full-frame camera body with dual card slots preferred
- A backup camera body
- Multiple fully charged batteries
- Empty, reliable memory cards (for yourself, I will provide you with mine)
- At least one flash for receptions and low-light situations
- A variety of lenses that allow you to capture different perspectives (a 50mm and 24-70mm are highly recommended)
Before arriving, please test all equipment and make sure:
- Batteries are fully charged
- Memory cards are formatted and ready to use
- Cameras and lenses are functioning properly
- Flash equipment is working correctly
All images must be captured in RAW format. Please double-check your camera settings before the wedding begins to ensure you are not shooting JPEG.
You are expected to shoot in manual mode and have a strong understanding of your camera settings. If you are comfortable shooting in Kelvin white balance, please do so to maintain consistency throughout the day. If you are not familiar with Kelvin, please use Auto White Balance rather than guessing or changing settings inconsistently. You can always feel free to shout out and ask what Kelvin I am at!
Capturing Groom
and groomsmen
Groom Getting Ready & Groomsmen
My goal during the groom’s getting ready portion of the day is to tell the story of his morning while also creating timeless portraits of him and the people closest to him before the ceremony.
Every groom and group of groomsmen is different. Some guys will be completely into the photos, while others may need a little more encouragement, so read the room and work with their energy. Keep things relaxed, play around, crack a few jokes, and help everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera.
I love a mix of candid moments, lightly guided interactions, classic portraits, and a few more editorial images. Nothing should feel overly stiff or forced.
Groom Getting Ready
Upon arrival, gather his details and capture a flatlay.
Don't forget the smaller details throughout the process, including his watch, cufflinks, shoes, tie or bow tie, boutonnière, cologne, vow book, letters, gifts, and any other meaningful accessories.
Capture a variety of moments rather than photographing the same action or pose repeatedly. Document what is naturally happening, but don't be afraid to gently direct the groom into better light or have him repeat an action if needed.
Look for/Guide:
- Sitting naturally while getting ready
- Buttoning his shirt or jacket
- Adjusting his tie or bow tie
- Fastening cufflinks
- Putting on his watch
- Spraying cologne
- Putting on or tying his dress shoes
- Straightening his jacket
- Looking out a window
- Reading a letter or opening a gift from the bride, if applicable
- Laughing and interacting with the guys while getting ready
- Quiet moments before the ceremony
Indoor Lighting
When photographing the groom getting ready indoors, look for natural window light first.
If possible:
Move the groom near a window for getting-ready photos and portraits.
Turn off overhead lights. Avoid mixing orange artificial lighting with natural daylight whenever possible.
Pay attention to what is behind him and clean up distracting clutter when you can.
If the getting-ready room isn't visually ideal, don't feel like you need to create every portrait there. Document what you need indoors and please take the groom outside for portraits as well.
Meaningful Interactions
The groom getting ready isn't only about the groom. Pay attention to the people surrounding him. These people matter!
Be observant and ready for genuine interactions such as:
- Mom pinning his boutonnière
- Dad helping with his tie or jacket
- A parent or best man fixing something for him
- A parent or friend patting him on the shoulder
- Hugs with parents, siblings, grandparents, or friends
- Laughing with the groomsmen
- Reading letters
- Opening gifts
- Quiet or emotional moments before the ceremony
Please Include the Parents
I always want photographs of the groom with his parents whenever they are present.
Make sure you get:
- Groom + Mom
- Groom + Dad
- Groom + Mom + Dad
Groom Portraits
Once the groom is completely dressed, take a few minutes to photograph him individually.
Please take groom portraits outside whenever possible, even if you already photographed him indoors.
Capture a variety of:
- Full-body portrait looking at the camera
- Mid-length portrait
- Close-up portrait
- Looking off to the side
- Hands in pockets
- Adjusting his jacket
- Adjusting his tie or bow tie
- Fixing his cufflinks or watch
- Walking toward the camera
- Walking away from the camera
- Natural smile/laugh
- Relaxed, more serious expression
- A few editorial-style portraits
Don't crop every image tightly. I want a mix of full-body, mid-length, and close-up compositions.
When shooting full body, make sure his entire body AND shoes are in the frame. Do not accidentally crop his feet or shoes.
Groomsmen Portraits
Full Groomsmen Group
Work through these setups:
- Hands in Pockets: Groom in the center with the groomsmen evenly spaced on either side. Have everyone relaxed with hands in pockets and looking at the camera.
- Left Over Right: Keep the same formation and have everyone bring their left hand over their right in front of them for a clean, classic variation.
- Flying V: Put the groom slightly in front with the groomsmen forming a loose V behind him. Have everyone walk toward the camera, talking and interacting naturally as they move.
- Play Around: Let the guys loosen up and have fun with the groom. Encourage laughing, joking, hyping him up, putting arms around each other, or whatever feels natural for the group.
- Vogue / Editorial: Finish with something more editorial. Give everyone slightly different stances, use hands in pockets or adjusting jackets, and have them look in different directions for a cool, effortless feel.
Groom + Each Groomsman
Please get the groom individually with every groomsman:
One full-body portrait. Make sure their entire bodies and shoes are in the frame. Do not crop their feet!
One waist-up portrait.
For the full group, I typically shoot around f/4 to keep everyone in focus. When moving into groom + individual groomsman portraits, open back up to around f/2.8–f/3.2.
ceremony
During the ceremony, I’ll often be focused on the main moments, so I want you looking for everything happening around them.
- The Reactions: Parents, grandparents, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and guests. Look for tears, smiles, laughter, and emotion.
- The Little Moments: Hand holds, a parent squeezing someone’s arm, bridesmaids wiping tears, the couple exchanging glances, and all those tiny interactions that are easy to miss.
- The Perspective: Give me different angles whenever possible. Think about what you can capture that I may not be able to from where I’m standing.
The obvious moments matter, but always look beyond them. While everyone is watching the couple, watch everyone else.
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour is such a fun part of the gallery! Focus on the setting, the details, the fashion, and the people.
- The Setting: Start from afar. Capture the architecture, overall layout, bar, cocktail space, and atmosphere.
- The Food & Drinks: Signature cocktails, champagne, passed hors d’oeuvres, food displays, bartenders pouring drinks, guests holding cocktails, and all the little food and beverage details the couple intentionally chose.
- The Fashion: Bags, shoes, dresses, suits, color, textures, accessories, and personal style. Have fun with this!
- The People: Go around and ask groups to take a photo! Capture friends, couples, families, and different groupings of guests together.
Think of cocktail hour as its own little story: the setting, what they served, what everyone wore, and who was there.
Reception
The reception is all about details, energy, and reactions. Stay observant and keep looking beyond whatever the main event is.
- The Details: Capture the room before guests enter whenever possible. Tablescapes, florals, candles, menus, place cards, signage, cake, champagne, and all of the intentional choices the couple poured into their day. Shoot wide, medium, and tight, and find different angles. My couples pour their heart into their details, it deserves the proper appreciation.
- The Reactions: During speeches especially, scan the room. Look for the couple laughing, parents tearing up, friends reacting, people holding hands, and guests interacting with each other.
- The Energy: Once the party starts, capture what it actually feels like. Dancing, movement, drinks in the air, hugs, laughter, and the people bringing the dance floor to life.
- The In-Between: Keep your eyes open between scheduled events. Some of the best photographs happen when nobody thinks they're being photographed.
I can't wait to work with you!
Thank you for being here and for working alongside me. I truly appreciate the time, energy, and care you put into helping me document a wedding day.
At the end of the day, our job is to tell someone else’s story. Stay present, notice the little things, and remember that the moments that may feel small to us could become some of the most meaningful photographs to them.
Thank you for helping me give every couple a gallery that allows them to relive their day for years to come.
Daniella