One thing that surprises couples when they inquire with us is hearing that Hayes and I still second shoot weddings for other photographers. After nearly ten years in the wedding industry, many people assume we’d stop doing that altogether.

But the truth is: we intentionally continue.

While we only take on 15–20 of our own weddings each year, so we can fully serve our couples and create an intentional, personalized experience, we often fill the rest of our calendars second-shooting for others.

And honestly? It has made us better photographers in every possible way. Not just creatively — but emotionally, logistically, and professionally too.

It Keeps Us Sharp

Wedding photography is one of those things that truly works like muscle memory. The more consistently you photograph wedding days, navigate timelines, adjust lighting quickly, direct couples naturally, and anticipate moments before they happen, the more instinctive it becomes. When photographers go long stretches without shooting weddings, it’s easy to lose some of that flow. Things can start to feel less natural and more stressful.

Second shooting allows us to stay constantly immersed in wedding days, which means when we step into our own weddings as lead photographers, we’re calm, prepared, and fully present. There’s confidence that comes from repetition and experience, and our couples benefit directly from that.

We Learn From Other Perspectives

One of the most valuable parts of second shooting is getting to work alongside other talented creatives. Every photographer approaches weddings differently: how they direct, communicate, use light, and tell stories. Even after years in the industry, there is always something to learn.

Sometimes it’s a new approach to posing or a creative framing idea. Other times, it’s simply watching another photographer interact with their couple in a way that reminds us how important the experience is alongside the photos themselves. And it goes both ways! We learn from others, and they learn from us, too. That constant collaboration ultimately helps all of us provide better experiences for our couples.

It Helps Us Prepare for New Venues

One of the hidden benefits of second shooting is getting to explore venues before we ever photograph our own couple there. We get familiar with the lighting, landscapes, timelines, ceremony locations, portrait spots, reception layouts, and how the venue flows throughout the day. So when one of our couples books that venue later on, we’re not walking in blind.

We already know where sunset hits best, the backup locations for harsh weather, and how the space photographs at different times of day. That familiarity allows us to walk into wedding days with confidence and intention instead of spending valuable time figuring things out on the spot.

It Lets Us Fall in Love With Weddings Again and Again

As lead photographer and videographer, there’s a lot happening mentally behind the scenes. We’re managing timelines, keeping family photos moving, watching lighting, tracking details, communicating with vendors, and making sure every important moment is covered.

We love leading weddings, but second shooting removes the pressure of carrying the entire day. It allows us to step back, breathe a little more, observe more intentionally, and remember why we fell in love with wedding photography in the first place. Sometimes, getting out of the “lead role” helps reignite creativity and inspiration in the best way.

It Gives Us Space to Be Creative

When second shooting, we aren’t responsible for capturing every single “must-have” image.

Because of that, we get more freedom to experiment creatively: playing with framing, capturing movement, focusing on emotion, noticing tiny details, trying artistic compositions, and documenting moments in ways we may not have otherwise. And the more we practice creativity, the more naturally it becomes part of our workflow when we lead our own weddings.

Our couples end up receiving galleries that not only include the timeless moments they expect, but also artistic images filled with texture, emotion, movement, and storytelling.

We Get to Experience Different Cultures and Traditions

One of the greatest gifts of wedding photography is witnessing the many ways people celebrate love. Through second shooting, we’ve had opportunities to experience cultural traditions, family dynamics, and wedding customs we may not have otherwise encountered. Every wedding teaches us something new about people, celebration, connection, and storytelling. That perspective makes us more thoughtful photographers and better observers of meaningful moments.

It Makes Us Better Under Pressure

No two wedding days are the same. Timelines run late. Weather changes unexpectedly. Lighting conditions shift. Family dynamics evolve. Unexpected problems happen. The more situations we encounter, the better equipped we become to navigate them calmly and confidently.

Second shooting has exposed us to hundreds of unique wedding-day scenarios over the years, which means we’ve learned how to adapt quickly without losing our composure. Experience matters, but varied experience matters even more.

It Keeps Us Humble

This industry changes constantly: Trends, technology, and storytelling evolve. We never want to become the kind of photographer/videographer who thinks we’ve learned everything there is to know.

Second shooting reminds us that growth never stops, and honestly, we don’t want it to. We want to continue learning, improving, and refining the experience we provide our couples. Because the moment you stop being teachable is the moment you stop growing.

Why This Matters for Our Couples

At the end of the day, second shooting isn’t about “needing more experience” or not being established enough to lead weddings ourselves. It’s about intentionally staying inspired, adaptable, creative, and sharp. It’s about continuing to grow so our couples receive the absolute best version of us every time we show up with cameras in hand.

After nearly ten years in the wedding industry, one thing has become incredibly clear to us: The best photographers never stop learning.

Venues: Juene Perche, Monserate Winery – Villa De Fiore, Surf and Sand Laguna Beach, South Coast Winery, The Havens Country Club

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