A Letter From Rae: My First Time as a Second Shooter at The Hillside Estate
Dear Friends,
If I’m being completely honest, this post isn’t the one you’d expect from a wedding photographer with 14 years of experience. Most people want to read a blog where everything went perfectly — where every image was flawless, every detail was captured just right, and every moment unfolded seamlessly. But this story is a little different.
A few weeks ago, I had the honor of second shooting for one of Dallas ' most amazing photographers at one of the most breathtaking wedding venues in the Dallas-Fort Worth area — The Hillside Estate. Nestled in the heart of the metroplex, The Hillside Estate is everything you’d imagine when you think of timeless luxury: elegant architecture, rolling hills, and light-filled rooms that feel straight out of a European dream.
But this time, I wasn’t the lead photographer.
For 14 years, I’ve been the first shooter — the one calling the shots, guiding the couple, styling flat lays, and making sure every image told the full story. Even when I shoot alongside my daughter, she usually lets me take the lead. So stepping into the role of a second shooter was… humbling, to say the least.
If I’m being transparent, I struggled a bit. I didn’t fully understand how different the role would feel — that while the lead is focused on the couple and the key moments, the second shooter captures the story around them: the laughter from the guests, the quiet tears from the parents, the atmosphere that completes the day. I kept feeling like I might miss something, forgetting that both roles are equally important.
Looking back, I realize I could have been a better second shooter by:
- Listening more closely for cues from the lead photographer.
- Observing her rhythm and anticipating needs rather than trying to direct.
- Remembering that being supportive is being successful in that role.
- But even in my learning moments, I was filled with gratitude.
Shooting a luxury Dallas wedding at The Hillside Estate opened my eyes to a different world of elegance and refinement. The cocktail hour alone was an experience — the way guests dressed, the delicate designer clutches, the attention to detail in their shoes, jewelry, and nails — it all spoke to the level of sophistication that defines high-end weddings.
And while I don’t have all the stunning flat lays, ring shots, or detail spreads that often fill my blog posts, I do have something else: the story told from a second shooter’s perspective. The moments that happen quietly in the background — a father adjusting his tie before walking his daughter down the aisle, a bridesmaid helping with a train, or guests laughing together under the chandeliers.
Most importantly, I walked away deeply inspired. Working alongside one of the best photographers in the DFW area reminded me that growth never stops — no matter how many years we’ve been behind the camera.
While I may not have handled everything perfectly that day, I’m still deeply grateful for the experience. It gently reminded me that humility and growth are lifelong companions on this journey—even after 14 years of capturing love stories. If I’m honest, I do wish I had been given the opportunity to learn more from her. Constructive feedback would have meant so much to me. But only G-d knows why that wasn’t part of the story.
Even so, there is no bitterness in my heart. I truly pray for her business, for her brides, and for continued favor over the work of her hands. And I remain thankful—for the lesson, for the stretching, and for the quiet refinement that happens when no one else sees it.
Preserving your love like a handwritten letter, ✉️
Rae De Lain
