Third Shooter | Lighting Assistant Wedding Photography Pathway

Goal: Build your skills to confidently fill the third shooter/lighting assistant role at weddings.

If you're interested in photographing weddings, but you're not sure where to begin, you've come to the right place. Working as a third shooter & lighting assistant (you will do both) for an established wedding photographer is the best way to start your wedding photography journey. Think of it as an internship (often paid) that will give you hands-on experience in the field and sharpen your skills as a photographer. The following pathway features a selection of videos from our Wedding Workshop Series that will help prepare you to confidently step into the role of a third shooter/lighting assistant.

Let's get started!

Overview of 3rd Shooter Duties

• Lighting Assistant
  
  • Understand Lighting Conditions & Light Quality
  • Understand Impact of Various Light Modifiers
• Photojournalism and additional angles throughout the day, including the following:
  • First Look
  • Baraat (for Hindu/Indian Weddings)
  • Ceremony
  • Reception

Section One: Lighting

Here is a list of the most important videos to watch in regards to understanding lighting as a 3rd shooter and also fulfilling your role as a lighting assistant.

• Lighting Primer Guide (All 8 Videos)
• Lighting 101, Ch. 1.3: 5 Reasons to Use Flash
• Lighting 101, Ch. 2.3: Flash vs. Ambient Light Exposure
• Lighting 101, Ch. 2.5: Flash and Ambient Balancing for Natural Effect
• Lighting 101, Ch. 3.6: Light Qualities
• Lighting 101, Ch. 4.6: Flash Power and Zoom
• Lighting 101, Ch. 3.9: Corrective White Balance
• Lighting 101, Ch. 5.4: Grid/Snoot + Direct Flash
• Lighting 101, Ch. 6.8: Event Bounce
• Lighting 101, Ch. 7.2: Natural vs. Dramatic Light

Section Two: Photographing the Ceremony

These are the main videos to watch in regards to photographing the ceremony.

• Wedding Workshop 5, Ch. 1.1: Why Are We Here
• Wedding Workshop 5, Ch. 1.2: Ten Easily Avoidable Blunders from Two Hundred Wedding Photographers
• Wedding Workshop 5, Ch. 1.4: Pre-Ceremony Checklist from Two Hundred Wedding Photographers
• Wedding Workshop 5, Ch. 2.2: Within a Single Wedding Moment
• Wedding Workshop 5, Ch. 2.3: Lead, Second, and Third-Shooter Movement
• Wedding Workshop 5, Ch. 2.4: Team Lens Synergy
• Wedding Workshop 5, Ch. 2.5: Processional Movement and Positioning
• Wedding Workshop 5, Ch. 2.6: Ceremony Movement and Positioning
• Wedding Workshop 5, Ch. 2.7: Recessional Movement and Positioning
• Wedding Workshop 5, Ch. 3.1: Pre-Ceremony Grip and Grins and Candids
• Wedding Workshop 5, Ch. 3.6: Ceremony, Wedding Party, and VIPS
• Wedding Workshop 5, Ch. 3.10: Bonus
• Wedding Workshop 5, Ch. 4.5: Hindu Indian Weddings - Baraat

Section Three: Photographing the Reception

These are the main videos to watch in regards to knowing what to anticipate while photographing the reception. Explore the complete chapters for tips on lighting techniques.

• Wedding Workshop 8, Ch. 1.3: The Intuitive Guide To Flash Power
• Wedding Workshop 8, Ch. 2.1: The Grand Entrance - Goals & Must Haves
• Wedding Workshop 8, Ch. 3.1: First Dance & Parent Dances - Goals & Must Haves
• Wedding Workshop 8, Ch. 4.1: Toasts & Speeches - Goals & Must Haves
• Wedding Workshop 8, Ch. 5.1: Cake Cutting - Goals & Must Haves
• Wedding Workshop 8, Ch. 6.1: Bouquet/Garter Toss - Goals & Must Haves
• Wedding Workshop 8, Ch. 7.1: Open Dance Floor - Goals & Must Haves
• Wedding Workshop 8, Ch. 8.1: Lighting Techniques For Miscellaneous Reception Portraits

Other Important Moments

You'll also need to work directly with the lead shooter to cover certain moments like the first look. Check out the video below for additional insight.

• First Look: Wedding Workshop 4, Ch. 6.1 First Look Positioning

We hope this third shooter/lighting assistant pathway helps build your skills and give you the confidence to reach out to other photographers and offer your services as a third shooter. You can also check out the Second Shooter Pathway and general Wedding Photography Pathway for additional information on photographing weddings. When you have the time, it will be worth your while to watch all of the workshops that make up the Wedding Photography Training System, as well as our Flash Photography Training System, The Complete Posing Workshop, and more.