Why Second Shooters Are Important To Your Brand.
Montage Healdsburg: Jake, Jimmy, Josh, & EJ…almost had all J’s.
When I look back at the five-day wedding we just filmed at the Montage Resort in Healdsburg, one thing stands out above everything else: my second shooters.
For a wedding of that scale, I knew I couldn’t just hire anyone—I had to bring in a team that was not only talented, but who also felt like an extension of me and my brand. That means shooters who go above and beyond, who have charisma, who treat people well, and who carry themselves with the same excellence I want couples to feel when they hire me.
The BoyS
Above and Beyond at Every Turn
What blew me away was their willingness to do whatever it took to capture the wedding exactly how I envisioned it. They weren’t just waiting to be told what to do—they were anticipating moments, double-checking angles, and making sure nothing slipped through the cracks.
One of the most powerful moments for me personally was walking into the ceremony site minutes before we were about to start. Everything was already set: cameras in place, audio locked down, coverage happening without me having to micromanage. For the first time all week, I had a five-minute window to just breathe, knowing my team had it covered. That kind of trust is priceless.
A Team That Feels Like Family
The couple noticed it too. At the end of the wedding, they weren’t just thankful for me—they were grateful for the entire team. That affirmation told me I had chosen the right shooters.
And even the photographer gave one of the best compliments I could have asked for. She said all of my shooters had the same energy: they were kind, easy to work with, and carried a certain charisma that made them stand out. That’s not something you can fake. That’s brand alignment in action.
The Behind-the-Scenes Made Simple
Luxury weddings sound glamorous, but the logistics can be anything but. A few days before the wedding, I realized I had forgotten exactly how many hours I’d booked each shooter for. Normally, that would’ve meant digging through old texts and stressing over whether I was shorting someone or overbooking.
But because everything was contracted through Second Society, all I had to do was pull up the agreements, check the hours, and give official start times. After the wedding, I knew exactly what to pay each shooter, throw some extra tip on top and was able to take care of it the very next day. No second-guessing, no backtracking, no stress.
The Core of My Brand
If I had to sum it up, here’s what makes my second shooters an extension of my brand:
I hire guys who go above and beyond, who show up with amazing attitudes even in brutal heat, who give me excellence no matter what they’re getting paid, and who make couples and guests feel comfortable in front of the camera. That’s the standard. That’s the Rora Film Co. experience.
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I solely rely on Second Society to find and book my guys. Every contract, and every detail in one place so I can focus on creating, not managing chaos.
👉 If you’re not already using Second Society to contract and pay your shooters, sign up today for free and make your brand stronger from the inside out.
