Second photographer: How to Photograph Groom Prep Photos
This blog post and gallery preview provide insight into the role of second photographers at Suess Moments. The post aims to demonstrate the specific elements to capture during groom prep photos on a wedding day and offer guidance on achieving the correct approach to photographing this aspect of the event.
What you will learn: How to Photograph Groom Prep Photos
- Camera equipment
- How to shoot off-camera flash
- What’s important
- A standard second-shooter wedding photography shot list
What to do BEFORE you take a photo
- Clean your lenses
- Shoot in RAW, never JPEG
- Print a copy of the timeline/shotlist
- Memorize the couple’s names and their parent’s relationship status. Please do your best to memorize the best man and parents’ names.
- Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early in case of traffic delays and have enough time to set gear
- Text the day of contact for the groom, introduce yourself, and share your ETA.
- Memory card settings should make the cards I gave you the main card and your second card as backup. Please return the cards at the end of your session.
- Match your camera time settings to time.gov (please do this every time as sometimes the camera is off by a few seconds)
- Please pick up your x3 64GB SD cards from me, then format them.
- Remind yourself not to delete photos from the camera, as this may cause memory card corruption! It’s okay; I mess up shots, too—I will not judge.
Detail Shots
As soon as you arrive as a 2nd photographer on a wedding day, these are the steps on how to photograph groom prep photos (detail shots):
- Say hello, and introduce yourself – ask for each person’s name and who they are to the groom
- Ask where the details are, and if the groom has any gifts, personalization vows to photograph
- Ask the groom who he wants to help him get dressed. Then remind those people that they need to be fully suited for their photo op in 15 minutes while you capture details.
- Stylize a flat lay on the ground, with no artificial overhead light (use window light), as you take photos of his details: watch, cufflinks, personalization, shoes, socks, vows (inside), etc.
Estimated time
15 minutes
The camera equipment for wedding detail flatlay photos
- A macro lens of your choice
- I use the Nikon z 50mm macro lens for my Nikon Z6ii
- It is recommended to use a neutral, color, flatlay mat. They can cost a lot, but I use a clean floor or a roll up liner and carry it in a tube.
Getting the Groom Ready
This part should be directed but captured candidly. You will need to scout your space and look for the best window light and a background where the groom doesn’t have distractions. Ideally, this would be a blank wall, but this isn’t always possible. If there are picture frames, you can always place the groom in the center of the picture frame to create an exciting composition. If there are lamps in the background, ask to please move them temporarily. You can shoot the groom backlit (in the middle of the window) for a creative shot. However, as safe and traditional shots, photograph the groom getting ready facing the window light or at a 45-degree angle. Try always to keep his face towards the light when possible. Don’t be afraid to mix it up – wide and tight focal lengths or even find a mirror or shoot through doors to get creative.
Estimated time
20 minutes
Camera equipment for groom getting ready photos
Camera settings for groom getting ready photos
- ISO can be anywhere between 100 – 3500
- Shutter speed always doubles the amount of your lens focal length
- The aperture is set to 4.0 or lower. Group shots are set to 4.0 or higher.
Capture a story
One of the most critical parts on how to photograph groom prep photos is to capture a store. Once you have some great pictures of the groom getting ready in his suit—putting on the accessories and all—ask him if he has a letter to read, vows to write, or a gift to open. If there’s a videographer, they may need to set up audio. If silence is required for audio recording or if the groom wants it quiet, you can move the groom into a private space (with a window light) or ask the people in the room to clear out for a few minutes.
Estimated time
10 minutes
Not staged, but create memories for the groom
Our job as professional wedding photographers is to document the wedding day in a way that the couples remember how the photographs feel. It’s not about a photoshoot – it’s more about the candid moments – because that’s when a couple can look at it and share a story about the moment. Those are the photos they cherish most. It’s also very important when working as a Suess Moments photographer to skillfully capture the groom’s getting ready photos in a way that’s beautifully lit and composed like art.
Estimated time
15 minutes
Memories you can suggest for groom getting ready photos:
- Ask the groom to toast the groomsmen
- A first look between the groom and his mother
- Turn on some music and vibe
- Take a walk outside
- Play a game
Photos with his favorite people
Okay, so they say they like candid photos, but they honestly want a clear photo of faces looking into the camera. Please ask the groom if he wants group photos or individual shots with anyone in the room, such as college friends, cousins, siblings, each parent, pets, kids, etc. Also, please remind the groom to unbutton his suit if he plans to place his arms around people to avoid the suit jacket from bunching up in photos. Additionally, you can advise the guys to keep their hands in their pants pockets and for the ladies to either hold onto a guy’s biceps or place their hands on hips.
The two poses
- Ask them to start by having the groom look at who he is next to and take a moment to say, “Thank you for being here today.” This should capture a laugh, smile, hug, handshake.
- Next, ask them to look at the camera; because of what has just happened, they should have a natural smile.
Estimated time
This can take about 1-2 minutes per group shot
Camera Gear
Please use your 35mm or 50mm lens for these group shots
Using off-camera flash for creative groomsmen portraits
This is by request only or if you have time to get creative groomsmen portraits on a wedding day.
To create an epic photo of the groom with his groomsmen, consider making the groom the focal point and maybe his best man/father. You can use a dark space like a bar, lounge scene, or backlit window scene and situate the groom in the center while the rest of the groomsmen are seated around him. This should only take about 10 minutes during groom prep photos but pre-planned as soon as you arrive for wedding photography as a second shooter.
Estimated time
This can take about 15 minutes.
The photography gear you need for off-camera flash creative groom prep photos
- Godox AD200 pro
- Flash stand
- Trigger for camera flash mount (I use Nikon)
- Magmod grip + grid + sphere
- Madmod shoe
- Video tutorials shown in How I Shot It on Youtube: Ft. Seth K. & Ft. Raph N.
The wedding shot list for second photographers: Groom Prep
Screenshot and download this to save as your cell phone screen background
