Mallory Shorter Photography

Do I Need A Second Shooter For My Wedding?

mshorter — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 20:36:36 +0000

You’re getting married and starting to look into wedding photographers. You keep hearing the words “second shooter” thrown around, so let’s get into it!

What is a second shooter?

A second shooter is another photographer, who will come and help shoot your wedding. If you have a second shooter at your wedding it means you will have 2 photographers. The photographer that you hire will provide the second shooter. The second shooter will come help shoot your wedding, but all of your images will be edited by the main photographer that you hired. This ensures you get the max amount of photos and they will also look consistent.

What are the benefits?

1. You will get different angles of all of the big moments!

Here are some scenarios: The bride walking down the aisle vs the groom’s reaction to her coming down the aisle. The first look. One photographer focuses on the groom’s reaction and the other focuses on the bride’s. Same deal with the first dance. The photographers can stand on opposite sides of the room, so you have completely different back drops. One photographer can be zoomed in getting close ups and the other can get wide shots.

2. The photographers can be in 2 different places at once.

Aside from capturing different angles of the same event, the photographers can spread out to capture what’s going on in different areas. For example one photographer can get photos of the bride getting ready while other gets photos of the groom. While the main photographer is taking formal family portraits after the ceremony, the other can be at cocktail hour with your guests. And did I mention the dance floor? 2 photographers will capture tons of different moments happening on the dance floor. Not a single one of your drunk friends will make it out without documentation!

3. Extra Security

Twice as many photographers and twice as many cameras. Hopefully none of the following happens at your wedding, but if it does a second photographer will have you covered! If something happens and one photographer misses it the other will still have it. If a camera breaks that’s twice as many backup cameras. If one photographer is running late the other can cover. Never hurts to have extra hands(and cameras)!

4. They can help your wedding run smoothly.

A second shooter helps with more than just taking photos. They help the main photographer by holding lights and moving things around which helps get photos done quicker and more efficiently. They can also help communicate between the photographer, wedding, planner, and the couple, so that everyone is on the same page without having to stop what they are doing.

5. Best of all, You get more photos!

This one is pretty simple, but probably the best perk of having a second shooter. You will automatically receive more photos if you have a second shooter than if you only have one photographer.

So do you need a second shooter?

I always recommend having one if you’re budget allows. You will never regret having a second shooter. The only scenario where I’d say you might not need one is if you are having a very small(less than 20 people) wedding, but even then you may still enjoy the perks that come with a second shooter.

Bonus! Here are some gems my second photographer took while I was shooting the bridal party, seen in the background!

Calvin Klein Editorial

mshorter — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 19:14:38 +0000

Calvin Klein needs no introduction, but for a quick recap…

Calvin Klein is a global lifestyle brand that exemplifies bold, progressive ideals and a seductive, and often minimal, aesthetic. They seek to thrill and inspire their audience while using provocative imagery and striking designs to ignite the senses.

CK was founded in 1968. Known for their modern, sophisticated and clean aesthetic, their most popular item is underwear.

Photographer: Mallory Shorter Instagram: @MalloryShorterPhoto

Model: Sabrina Smith Instagram: @SabrinaDSmith

Links for the Calvin Klein apparel will be listed below!

Shop These Items!

First Outfit

Second Outfit

Maroon Bra

16 Gifts Photographers Actually Want

mshorter — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 23:21:56 +0000

Here is a list of gift ideas that photographers ACTUALLY want. This list is curated by me, a professional photographer! I’ve included items with a broad price range, so there is something for everyone’s budget! I’ve included links for all of these products which can be found on Amazon, so if you order soon you can get them just in time for Christmas!

1. Disposable Camera $14.99

Bring on the nostalgia! A disposable camera is a fun way for for photographers to rediscover(or discover) an old way of doing something they already love!

View This Product On Amazon

2. SD Card $29.99

Any photographer will love you for this one! They come with different amounts of storage and writing speeds. This one has SO MUCH storage! Enough to shoot an entire wedding! You can find cheaper cards, but the quality goes down with the price. This one is normally $45, but is currently on sale.

View This Product on Amazon

3. Macro Extension Tube $39.95

This is an extension you can add onto your lens that will turn it into a macro lens! This opens up a new realm of photography for them! A macro lens makes it so you can take super up-close pictures, and they are EXPENSIVE! This is a way to give them that new lens excitement without all of the cost! Make sure you know what brand of camera they use.

View This Product on Amazon (Nikon)

View This Product on Amazon (Canon)

View This Product on Amazon (Sony)

4. Polaroid Bundle $139.95

This bundle includes everything you’ll need for some polaroid magic! And lets face it, there’s nothing like the instant gratification of having the image you just took appear in your hands.(You remember. I know you do.) This camera comes in a variety of colors.

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5. Coffee Mug $11.99

This mug is just too relatable.

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6. Remote Shutter Release $59.95

Every photographer struggles with self portraits and this can really help! It allows them to snap the picture instantly without being behind the camera or setting a self-timer. And let’s face it, with COVID meaning a lack of subjects many photographers have turned to self portraits to keep their sanity. Make sure you know what brand of camera they use.

View This Product on Amazon (Nikon)

View This Product on Amazon (Canon)

7. Personalized Keychain $12.99

I think this is a cute gift for anyone, not just photographer!

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8. Adobe Subscription $119.88

If they are newer to photography and don’t already have a subscription this is a game changer! Give them a subscription to the 2 the most popular editing softwares out there! This is what the pros use and if you get this for them you will be giving them a huge leg up!

View This Product on Amazon

9. Film Roll $48.79

For the film photographer! Full disclosure, I haven’t personally used this specific type of film, but I have heard a lot of good reviews and it’ll definitely be my next film purchase!

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10. Tote Bag $16.90

Who doesn’t need a tote? I’m not going to sit here and tell you how useful a bag is.

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11. SD Card Case $8.99

I love this sd card case! It holds multiple cards and all kinds from Micro SD and SD, to CF cards, so you can’t go wrong! It’s durable and also stylish! Available in an array of colors.

View This Product on Amazon

12. Batteries $18.98

So much of photography equipment require batteries! This will be super helpful, specially for wedding photographers who use speedlights! I ordered this for myself and it felt so good holding this big box of batteries when it came in the mail.

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13. External Hard drive $62.99

Photographers are notorious for needing more space to store their photos! The more storage the better because they likely keep running out of space and buying more hard drives, so its nice to consolidate when possible!

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14. Polaroid T-Shirt $21.95

Because who doesn’t love some Polaroid swag?

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15. Dual Camera Harness $89.25

Perfect for wedding photographers or any photographer who needs to carry 2 cameras! This is the one I personally have my eyes on. I love the vintage leather design!

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16. Mavic Pro 2 Drone $1599

Drones are the newest and greatest thing the photography scene! It offers photographers the opportunity to see and photograph things in high quality from a perspective they’ve never had access to before.

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What Not To Buy A Photographer

Camera Lens Mug

On behalf of photographers everywhere… Don’t, Just don’t…

Unless, you want to give them a heart attack by leaving it in the sink. In that case, here’s the link

View This Product on Amazon

Black Lives Matter Street Art

mshorter — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 00:42:08 +0000

On Tuesday morning, June 9th, a group of 17 artists came together in collaboration with the city of Charlotte to create a mural reading “Black Lives Matter” along North Tryon Street between 3rd and 4th street. Each artist designed a letter with its own message. The painting was finished around 7pm the same day. A crowd gathered in a peaceful assembly to see the newly unveiled mural and take a knee in remembrance of George Floyd. Below art the 17 artists who contributed to the mural.

Dammit Wesley, @dammit_wesley
Dakotah Johnson, @dakotahaiyanna
Matthew Clayburn, @matthewclayburn
Abel Jackson, @artbyabel
Garrison Gist, @2gzandcountin
Owl & Arko, @owl.clt and @arko.clt
Kyle Mosher, @thekylemosher
Franklin Kernes, @fk.creative
Kiana Mui, @kmuii
Marcus Kiser, @marcus_kiser
Georgie Nakima, @gardenofjourney
Zach McLean, @part_t1m3
Frankie Zombie, @frankie.zombie_
CHD:WCK!, @chdwckart
John Hairston, @jagolactus_
Dari Calamari, @daricalamari

“I Can’t Breathe”

mshorter — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 03:10:49 +0000

Early afternoon on Sunday May 31st demonstrators gathered in Uptown Charlotte for a march, protesting police brutality against the black community, triggered by the recent murder of George Floyd, a black man killed by Minneapolis police officers. Floyd was suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill.

Photos by Mallory Shorter

In the evening, a large gathering of demonstrators took to the streets of the Uptown district for what, for the most part, was a peaceful assembly.

At every block the demonstrators were met by police officers on bikes who barricaded the streets to allow them to march through. The crowd stopped, face to face with the officers, with their hands up shouting “Don’t shoot” before continuing.

A bus load of officers in tactical gear pulled up behind the protesters, before rushing them.

The majority of the protesters fled through a parking garage, as the officers closed in shouting “Move!” Those on the outside scattered and a woman can be seen throwing a drink on the officers.

The officers threw tear gas towards the opening of the garage as a second wave of officers ran in as reinforcement.

A woman was arrested and held in the middle of a group of officers. She was allegedly carrying a gun.

The demonstrators marched the streets chanting phrases such as “No Justice No Peace,” “Black Lives Matter” and “I can’t breathe.”

A few of the protesters stood between the officers and their fellow demonstrators encouraging, them to keep moving.

At around 8pm the crowd started to dwindle down.

During the evening, the march was relatively peaceful. However, as day turned to night its been reported that the activities grew more violent. Reportedly, more than 15 arrests were made during the demonstrations Sunday night. Some protesters went on to throw objects at the officers, damage windows at the Wells Fargo and Chipotle on South College St. CMPD responded with tear gas and arrests. At around 9pm hundreds of protesters went to the sheriff’s office and set off fireworks.

Erika & Drew

mshorter — Tue, 05 May 2020 17:22:39 +0000

After getting to know Drew + Erika from photographing their elopement, I couldn’t wait for their big ceremony and reception! They are such a fun couple and their friends and family were more than welcoming! This was my first Gen Z wedding, and I gotta say I’m ready for more! Everyone felt so comfortable and the focus was just making sure everyone had a great time! Thanks Eika + Drew for inviting me back for wedding part 2!

Erika + Drew, A Court House Wedding

mshorter — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 17:01:40 +0000

A warm sunny day in winter.

Erika came to me looking for someone to photograph their elopement and then a few months later their big ceremony. This is their elopement. I was a little worried about it being cold because this was in February and it was also in the middle of the day which can mean less favorable lighting conditions—BUT WE LUCKED OUT!— Perfect temperature and soft clouds for some beautiful diffused light! They got married on the steps of the South Carolina State House with just Erika’s mother and a friend cheering them on.

After their ceremony, we took a walk around the State House grounds to capture that “just married” look of excitement in their eyes with some portraits, embellished by freshly planted pansies, palm trees, and the historic Capital as a backdrop. Erika + Drew barely needed any direction!

Their organic emotion was more than enough to fill the frame! Check it out for yourself!

Trynady + Casey

mshorter — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 16:40:36 +0000

If there was one word to describe Trynady + Casey’s wedding, its heartwarming.

This could not have been illustrated more beautifully than through their intimate ceremony on a peaceful pecan orchard blanketed in sun rays. The girl’s started off getting ready at Trynady & Casey’s house while the guys were next door at Casey’s parent’s home. The weather was beautiful and the southern porch culture was in full swing.

From there they went up and around the corner to the local pecan orchard where friends and family gathered for this hometown wedding. Everything felt so cozy! It didn’t take long to see that they got their warm hearts from their welcoming families and tight-knit friends.

Thank you, Casey + Trynady, for showing me an adorable new venue and inviting me into your world for a day.

9 Reasons You Should Do A First Look

mshorter — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 23:17:06 +0000

A first look is some time set aside before the wedding for the bride and groom to see each other for the first time in their full wedding attire. It normally takes no longer than 10 minutes. Ultimately, deciding whether you want to do a first a first look at your wedding is a personal decision. And the percentage of couples who decide to do one vs. not is just about even. With all of that being said, a first look can be a WEDDING LIFE-SAVER and here’s why!

1. Calm your nerves

Weddings can be stressful and who’s better at putting you at ease than the person you’ve chosen to be there for you for the rest of your life!

2. A private moment with your partner

Ironically, this can be one of the few intimate private moments you’ll have with your partner all day. Enjoy having a moment with one another to talk about all the crazy things that have happened that morning, what you’re looking forward to, and just unapologetically gawk at that beautiful human being you’re about to marry!

3. Time to fix makeup/ get tears out before the wedding

All of your emotions have been welling up all day. You’re probably going to cry. At least, if you do it before your ceremony you’ll have time to fix your makeup before going in front of all of your guests.

4. The first time you see each other is going to be special no matter what!

Regardless of what time you see each other, that moment is going to be epic! When you see each other at the end of the aisle it’s still going to be an entirely different experience in itself.

5. The groom’s reaction is often more emotional & less restricted when others aren’t watching.

When the groom is alone with the person he feels most comfortable with in the world, he’s much more likely to let those walls down and get emotional rather than trying to hold it together and not cry in front of all of his friends and family.

6. Take care of most of your formal portraits before the wedding starts!

By doing a first look you can knock out SO many pictures that you would otherwise be doing between your ceremony and reception. You can get ALL of your bridal party photos done, some of just the two of you, and maybe even some photos with your immediate family if they’re around.

7. This is the best you are going to look all day!

Your hair and makeup is freshly done and you’ve just gotten into your formal attire. You’re only going to get sweatier as the day goes on and the longer you’re in those clothes the more of a risk you have of getting something on them. Why not get some photos while you are fresh, clean, and not stressed about getting to your reception.

8. Join the cocktail hour/reception early!

A lot of times if couples don’t do a first look they’ll have to completely miss the cocktail hour. You’ve spent a lot of time and money planning your wedding! You should have time to enjoy it! By doing a first look you can get in to our reception quicker and maybe even get to cocktail hour!

9. The emotions are so organic!

The emotions during a first look are so completely raw and genuine. As photographer those are exactly the kinds of shots I want to get and as a couple those are the shots you’re going to treasure for the rest of your life.

Essentially what it boils down to is, if you do a first look you will feel better and less stressed throughout the day, you will look nice and fresh in your formal photos, and you will have more time to get jiggy at your reception.

Fun Fact

The tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other began when arranged marriages were the norm. In fact, the bride and groom did not meet and the veil was kept over the brides face until the end of the ceremony for fear that the groom might find the bride unattractive and call off the wedding. Romantic right?