All the Fun of a Wedding, None of the Stress: Second Shooting at Tehama
There’s a special kind of joy in photographing a wedding as a second shooter. You get every heart-squeezing moment, the happy tears, the first look, the packed dance floor, without carrying the weight of running the whole day. That’s exactly what I got to experience at Grant and Elaine’s wedding at Tehama Golf Club in Carmel, second shooting alongside the talented lead photographers the DeLauras.
The Best Seat in the House
When you’re the lead photographer, your mind is juggling timelines, family formals, lighting, and a dozen moving pieces. As the second shooter, my job is simpler and a little more fun: find the moments happening just outside the main frame. While the lead captures the couple, I’m catching the groom’s reaction from a different angle, the guests wiping away tears, the quiet glances between family members, and the little details that make a wedding feel like theirs. Between Tehama’s sweeping views of Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula as a backdrop, and all the emotions on everyone’s faces, there was no shortage of beautiful moments to chase.
The Wind Had Its Own Plans
If there’s one thing I’ll always remember about this day, it’s the wind. It was wild. During the vows it nearly blew the ceremony arch right over, and it instantly became part of the story of their day. But by portrait time, that same wind turned into the best assistant we could have asked for, lifting Elaine’s dress and veil into sweeping, cinematic shapes against the Carmel sky.
One of my favorite small moments came from a little further back: her closest friends watching from the side as their best friend married her prince charming. As a second shooter, those quiet in-between moments are exactly what I’m there to find, and they’re often the images couples treasure most.
All the Fun, None of the Stress
Second shooting lets me soak up everything I love about weddings: the energy, the emotion, the creativity, while the lead photographer steers the ship. I can stay present, think creatively, and focus purely on storytelling. It’s the perfect balance, and it makes me a better photographer every time.
Why Couples Love Having a Second Shooter
A second photographer means more coverage and more perspectives on your day. One of us can be with the bride while the other is with the groom. One can capture the ceremony up front while the other catches guest reactions. You end up with a fuller, richer story of your wedding, and nothing important slips through the cracks.
Thank you to Grant and Elaine for letting me be part of your day, and to Kendal and Anthony of The DeLauras Photography for having me on your team. If you’re a lead photographer looking for a reliable second shooter on the Monterey Peninsula, or a couple planning a wedding in Carmel, Monterey, or anywhere on the Central Coast, I’d love to hear from you. Click below to check my availability.
Lead Photographer The DeLauras Photography
