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. Please don’t format your cards for at least 3 days following the wedding so that I can ensure that the images have been successfully downloaded and backed up. If my card corrupts, your copy will be needed.

Time Syncing

We’ll time sync our cameras in the morning before we start shooting. If we start the day in different locations let’s try to remember to time sync before the ceremony.

Camera Settings

Please shoot in Aperture Priority wherever you can. Of course feel free to switch to Manual when needed (using flash/creative stuff/when the couple is backlit). When shooting in Aperture Priority please use a minimum shutter speed of 1/250 and maximum ISO of 8000. This just helps prevent the camera from choosing anything a bit wild in difficult conditions. I like to shoot between f/1.6 and f/2.2 to keep things soft and natural, apart from when you need to go higher for group shots/flatlays/creative reasons. Please try to keep your shutter speed at 1/250 or above to avoid camera shake or motion blur.

Overshooting

Please try not to overshoot, culling thousands of extra images isn’t ideal! As a second shooter I’d like you to capture the things I’m unable to, so with that in mind, please don’t duplicate what I’m already shooting and try and avoid bursting images.

Shot Priorities

As a second photographer, your role is to help tell the full story of the day by capturing moments, perspectives, and details that I can’t always get to while I’m leading. I’m never expecting huge volumes of images - thoughtful, well-timed moments are always more valuable than lots of similar frames. This is just a general guide to what I usually rely on you for. Every wedding is different, and I’ll always mention anything specific when I send over the timeline and final details of the day.

Groom prep

• Boys getting ready, natural interactions rather than heavily posed shots

• Details (watch, cufflinks, shoes, buttonholes)

• Groom portraits once they’re ready

• Groomsmen line up & always love a walking shot

Ceremony

• Grooms reaction during the bride’s entrance

• Guest reactions and emotional moments

• Wider shots if you can grab them without being distracting

Drinks Reception / Cocktail Hour

• Guest candids and natural interactions

• Laughter, hugs, people chatting with drinks in hand

• Detail shots of any stationary/signage

• If it’s a particularly tight day on timings I may ask you to shoot the room (table details, wides & florals)

Couple Portraits

• Different perspectives to mine - wider frames, close-ups, or creative angles

• In-between moments and natural interactions

• Please let me lead and direct during this time, and just focus on adding variety rather than duplication

Speeches

• Guest reactions, laughter, and emotion

• Parents, close family, and wedding party responses

This is a general guide rather than a set of rules, so please don’t feel any pressure. Every wedding day is different - if timings are tight I may ask you to cover specific moments for me, but for the most part we’ll be working side by side on the more relaxed days, keeping things natural and fun.

Lighting

For groom prep photos, please find a spot with the best natural light and turn off all internal lights off where possible. Where you can, get the groom party outside for buttonholes and some nice group shots, the casual walk and pat on the back shot etc.

Couples portraits

You are always welcome to join me during couple’s portraits. The only exception is if the couple don’t feel comfortable having too many cameras on them or have specifically booked a second photographer to capture guest candids during this time. For these reasons, please don’t be offended if I ask you to remain with the guests but most of the time it’s no issue!

If you are present during portraits, please allow me to lead and direct the couple, as multiple directions can be distracting or confusing.

Image Usage & Social Media

I’m happy for you to use the images 12 weeks after the wedding in your own portfolio on social media and your website, provided the couple have agreed to sharing. I will let you know if they do not want images shared. 

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. With this in mind please note the following rules:

• Do not tag the couple, venue or any of the other suppliers on social media (this includes hashtags, location tags and account tags)

• Do not follow the couple on social media (and please let me know if they follow you)

• If you share images on social media, please include in the caption ‘captured whilst second shooting for @nadinelorettaphotography’

• Do not submit your images for blog feature 

• You are not 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.

Payment

I’ll pay your invoice the week before the wedding, provided you’ve sent me an invoice. Please send your invoice to nadinelorettaphotography@outlook.com.

Note that I cannot make any payments until I have received an invoice. Please confirm receipt of all payments via email, thank you.

-

I really appreciate you taking the time to read through these guidelines, and I can’t wait to work with you! I’ll make sure to send a detailed timeline ahead of the day, along with any other important info you might need. I love working as a team and think it’s so important to have fun while making the couple’s experience as happy and enjoyable as possible.

If you have any questions or would like to chat about anything before the wedding, just let me know.

Nadine x