Second shooting weddings is one of my favorite things—it’s all the fun and creativity of photography without the pressure of being the lead. Recently, I got to second shoot a wedding at the stunning Copley Theater in Aurora, IL, and it was such a perfect example of why I love this role so much.

For this wedding, I stayed with the groom and his groomsmen, so I didn’t get to photograph the bride or bridesmaids.

We also took some time to head over to the Paramount Theater nearby for a few portraits, and wow, what a stunning backdrop! The Paramount added this extra bit of elegance to the day and gave us such a gorgeous, urban-suburbs feel that only the Chicago area can deliver. Since I wasn’t managing the timeline or logistics, I had so much freedom to experiment with creative angles and lighting, which is one of my favorite parts of second shooting.



This day reminded me why I love weddings so much. As a second shooter, I get to soak in the moments, focus on storytelling, and just enjoy the process without the stress. It’s such a refreshing way to stay creative and inspired!