Lessons from my last wedding with second shooter

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 200, ƒ/5.6, 1/30–Pocketwizard AC9 to combine with my Pocketwizard TT5 and then using the phone cord plug into the back of the Alienbees B1600.

Available light or strobes?

First of all I had a wonderful second shooter for my last job. Laura Deas Espeut is one of my favorite people to work with through the years.

I asked her to just shoot as she normally does and that the two styles would give the bride and groom some options. She did a great job.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L, ISO 640, ƒ/2.8, 1/100

Now I am not going to make a call as to which is better. This is about seeing how each is as much a style choice as anything else.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 200, ƒ/5.6, 1/30–Pocketwizard AC9 to combine with my Pocketwizard TT5 and then using the phone cord plug into the back of the Alienbees B1600.

Here I strobed the group jumping and then Laura shot about the same time from slightly different angle with available light.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon EF 28mm f/1.8, ISO 640, ƒ/1.8, 1/500

Here is another example:

Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8, ISO 640, ƒ/1.8, 1/800

This is Laura's shot of the bridesmaids with the bride.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 100, ƒ/5.6, 1/30–Pocketwizard AC9 to combine with my Pocketwizard TT5 and then using the phone cord plug into the back of the Alienbees B1600.

I personally love available light and think most of the time if it looks good then go with it. Every once in a while I think strobes can make a photo a lot better.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 100, ƒ/8, 1/100–Pocketwizard AC9 to combine with my Pocketwizard TT5 and then using the phone cord plug into the back of the Alienbees B1600.

Here I had the groomsmen and the groom walk towards the camera in the flying formation. This helped them keep their eyes open rather than walking straight into the sun.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 100, ƒ/5.6, 1/400–Pocketwizard AC9 to combine with my Pocketwizard TT5 and then using the phone cord plug into the back of the Alienbees B1600.

Recommendation: Know available light and the ability to create light with strobes or constant light

My recommendation is for every working pro to know how to do both and use whatever you need to get the photo and remember to try and make your work distinguishable from all the competition.