Second Photographer for Weddings
DAN HIGGINSON
Hey, There!
I’m Dan Higginson, old punk, meditator, cocktail connoisseur, and documentary photographer.
I’m a confident full-time wedding photographer based in Rochester, Kent. I’m not a camera nerd; what I love is people.
Experience
I stopped counting the weddings I shot when I hit a hundred.
I’ve documented non-religious, Christian (British and Greek), Jewish, Hindu, Turkish and Islamic weddings. I’ve worked in huge fancy wedding venues, cramped dark castles, churches with pulsing LEDs, high-profile places that need copies of your ID for security, and tipis in family gardens. At this point, nothing phases me.
I’ve enjoyed associate / second shooting with Matthew Lawrence, Lauren Mitchell, Bhavesh Chauhan, S2-images, Danny Jack, Charlie Bluck, Jade Greenbrooke, and many more. I’m sure someone on that list will sing my praises if you reach out.
A safe pair of hands
Photographers I’ve worked for tell me I’m a laugh to have around on as a second, I can SMASH candids, and I always get lovely feedback when the main photographer speaks with their couple after the wedding.
I started photography over twenty years ago (yep, I’m officially in my late thirties), and I’ve carried a camera compulsively for the last ten years and shoot A LOT of frames!
Writing this feels a little gross, but I’m not sure how else to prove my experience; I’m a strong documentary photographer (not my own words!) I’ve had my (non-wedding) documentary photography exhibited in the Copland Gallery, The Art House (London), The Guardian, The Big Issue, and others.
Check out my personal work or my podcast, The Idle Hands Society, if you’d like to see what I get up to when I’m not shooting weddings.
How I work
I lead shoot my own weddings, so I know what you need from a second. I love to get amongst the action and shoot close on prime lenses. I’m not the shy ‘fly on the wall’ type.
I love to get a few lovely photos of the Groom or Bride in the morning and a great group photo. I’m also not shy about shooting grip and grin’s when people want them. I’ll use on or off-camera flash when the light is flat.
Gear
and the Other boring stuff
Okay, I know this is a boring topic, so I’ll sum it all up as quickly as I can.
I use primes on a Canon R5 & an R6 Mark II. I'll use an on- or off-camera light when ambient light is too flat. I always shoot RAW to two cards. My minimum shutter is always 1/250 (unless I’m deliberately trying something artsy after I get the ‘safe’ shots). And I’m happy to shoot as liberally or conservatively as you like.
If analogue film is your vibe, I’m comfortable with anything from 35mm to large format. Give me a pay bump of £50, and I’ll shoot a roll or two of analogue film for you and hand it over at the end of the night. I can suggest a couple of labs if you like. Your couple will love it!
Questions answered.
Three locations? No drama. I drive.
I can shoot on your SD cards or use my own, and you can ingest them before I leave.
Grabbing you a coffee, a light stand, or Auntie Ethel is all part of the job. I don’t make a fuss.
I always bring food, giving your couple more cash to buy prints!
I’ll get some amazing photos of you working for your social media or website whenever possible.
I usually expect you to pay my invoice via bank transfer within seven days of the wedding. Most people like to settle up before that.
When I hire a second, I let them use the photos however they want so long as they wait until I’ve delivered the gallery to my couple and don’t tag people on social media. That way, I know they’ll give me their best work. You get extra kudos if you work the same way.
I can send you a full gallery on request.
Get in touch
Send the details over in a WhatsApp message, and I’ll let you know if I’m available.