A few weeks ago I was asked to put together some of my best portfolio pieces from weddings and engagements and send them to another photographer. Below is one of the photos that was selected. Someone was interested enough in my skills as a wedding photographer to consider me for some extra work that they may have in the future. And I am very excited.

Is this vague enough? All I will say is Associate Photographer. Cue the music!

Flower bouquet as portfolio

And there has been a meeting to talk details and for me things are now cemented and moving forward. More will be announced when there is more cement with other cementees.

It is always cool when people see some skills that I might have. I just have to work on my marketing, branding, and second shooting skills.

So I try to pick an angle off to the side and I try to use a different lens than the main photographer. And this can mean a lot of the time people aren’t looking at the camera when I press the shutter. However, it means I get a cool photograph like this – the groom is fully thinking about his new bride. The bride is looking towards the main photographer – but the angle makes it look like a Calvin Klein model looking away from the camera. Very cool – and I approve.

A moment with the bride and groom

What I should have done was to move the flowers off the table before the cake cutting began but I still like this photograph. Not every photograph comes out perfect – but hopefully most photos capture a story.

Bride and groom cut the cake - flowers block the knife

And the bride isn’t wearing a wedding ring – I zoomed in and didn’t see one. Maybe the main photographer had borrowed the rings for the ring photography.

Photographers can drive themselves nuts looking at the little details. Sometimes while looking at the little detail you miss the big picture.

I know Thanksgiving was last week but I was just thinking about how I have really been blessed this past year and in particular to several photographers I helped out as a second shooter. For those unfamiliar with the term – a second shooter is hired to help the main photographer. I helped a number of photographers – but I will mention 3 today. The others will have to check back another time to see if I mentioned them.

The first two are an amazing wife and husband team – Heidi and Tim Uhl of Retrospect Studios. If I remember they were the first photographers I ever assisted at a wedding and the first photographers to hire me as a second shooter. They are just awesome people and a lot of fun. I learn a lot from them – and I constantly pick their brains for tips, tricks and even just to hear their stories of weddings they have shot.

Heidi Uhl of Retrospect Studios and some guy - let's call him Charlie Pippen

Tim Uhl of Retrospect Studios

The other photographer is my friend Brian Gordon – he is an up and coming photographer. He had me second shoot at a wedding in Bountiful at the beautiful Canterbury Place. And it was a blast.

Brian of B. Gordon Photography

And in the new year I hope I get the chance to photograph for them again. And I am hoping to photograph for other photographers as well. The photography scene in Utah is quickly becoming a great community.