Episode 45- How to be a Second Shooter that someone wants to always hire ft. Jimmy from Second Society!
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In today’s episode, Toni is sitting down with Jimmy from Second Society to chat all Second Shooting. Jimmy is the owner of Second Society, a growing community of high-level shooters located throughout the USA. Jimmy and Toni have a refreshing conversation about second shooting and what it means to be a good second shooter as well as a good lead shooter when it comes to working with other shooters on a wedding day. If you want to learn how to make second shooting more of a career than a side gig, learn how to provide more value as a second and be able to make more because of it, and hear about new ways to find second shooters or second shooting jobs, then you’re in the right place!
EC: Can you think of why second shooting is beneficial to photographers?
Jimmy: I think there is so much more freedom when second shooting. You can try something new and creatives which will benefit you down the road. You can also serve yourself, which in this wedding industry you can be very easily burnt out. You can say yes to every single wedding and you can be stressed out with editing. This is a good way to still get good photos but not edit every single day.
EC: Can you talk about your experience second shooting?
Jimmy: I absolutely love second shooting, and I've gotten pretty good at charging decent rates for it. When I'm second shooting, I really dive into the company and try to mimic their style in my own work. I make it a point to figure out what kind of photos they like to take and then replicate that vibe when I show up to shoot with them. And it's not just about the company – I also make an effort to get to know the couple I'll be working with. It helps me capture their unique story in a more genuine way. By blending the company's style with my own flair, I aim to create a seamless and awesome photography experience every time.
EC: How do you provide the most value for your lead shooters?
In the beginning of shooting my own weddings, I hired second shooters who I didn’t really feel added value, and I didn’t even use many of their shots. It felt like they were there to get a paycheck and then leave. When I now hire second shooters, I look for shooters who are going above and beyond, and I love bringing in someone else who gets shots I never thought of getting before. I also love second shooters who have a great relationship with the couple. I want the second shooter to be an extension of who I am, and make the couple feel comfortable and excited for their day.
EC: If photographers are struggling to find second shooters, how can they use Second Society to find that?
Jimmy: With Second Society, you have the ability to search for high profile second shooters all over. You can see a bio about them, a list of their gear, and a list of who they've worked with in the past. It adds credibility to second shooters on the website to make your search easier. You can also view their calendar to see their availability, so it gives you a very easy list of second shooters to choose from for your wedding dates.
2. Can you think of why
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