I had the pleasure of second shooting for an amazing photographer who was in town from Boston for a wedding in Fort Worth.

Why do I second shoot? Well, it resets me as a photographer. Instead of taking the lead, I get to watch and enjoy the action and shoot the snippets that no one else sees. I’m also blessed that the lovely photographers that I have shot for let me take the reigns when needed or sit back and catch the moments when necessary. That trust that we have is what makes second shooting a powerful experience for me. I’m a respected member; I’m part of the team.

I also get to do something that I don’t normally do on a wedding day – focus on details. Vivian, (who continuously rocks my socks), seamlessly shots rooms, tables, centerpieces, sign in books, you name it. I’ll snipe a detail here and there but she’s somehow always behind me saying “I already did that”. As a second, suddenly I’m the one who has to do that and I have to remember what I’ve always taught Vivian to do – go wide, go in.

And as I get to the reception site, I take a deep breath and whisper “Go wide, go in. Here I go …”