How to Be the Second Shooter Everyone Wants to Hire with Jasmine Ortiz
Release Date: 06/12/2025
Live Coaching: When Marketing Feels Like Too Much (And What to Do Instead)
Play It Brave Podcast
On today’s episode of Play It Brave, I’m bringing you behind the scenes for Part Two of my coaching call with photographer Staci Addison. In Part One, we focused on nervous system safety, trauma, and getting her out of chronic fight-or-flight so she could actually show up for her business. In this Part Two, we shift into strategy – creating a marketing plan that feels simple, sustainable, and true to who she is, instead of a giant pile of “shoulds” that leave her frozen and overwhelmed. I walk Staci through how to narrow her focus to just a few key marketing channels, how to build...
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Live Coaching: When You Want to Grow, But Your Body Says No
Play It Brave Podcast
Today I’m sharing something different: a real coaching call with my client, Staci Addison. Instead of jumping straight into marketing, we start where sustainable growth actually begins—helping your nervous system feel safe after grief, burnout, and a long, hard season. Most creatives don’t get stuck because they lack strategy; they get stuck because fear, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and old money stories keep their bodies from feeling safe enough to take action. When we rebuild safety and self-trust, the execution part finally clicks. On this call, I guide Staci to separate the...
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The Price of Status: What It Really Takes to Get Published with Sandra Åberg
Play It Brave Podcast
Today I’m joined by my brilliant friend, fashion-and-wedding photographer Sandra Åberg, for a real talk we’ve both been having off-mic for years: does being “published” (Vogue, Harper’s, Martha) actually mean you’ve arrived—or is it another industry illusion that keeps creatives chasing validation? We swap origin stories (Milan fashion sets, Sports Illustrated mayhem, and stumbling into weddings), talk integrity lines, and share the unseen mechanics behind advertorials, vendor lists, and “top” roundups—what’s paid, what’s earned, and what actually moves the needle in a...
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The Myth of the Perfect Leader with Jessica Drogosz
Play It Brave Podcast
If you’ve ever paused on your next chapter because you think you need to be “more ready” or “more perfect,” this one’s for you. My dear friend, multi-hyphenate creative and mentor Jessica Eileen Drogosz joins me to dismantle the myth that leaders must have it all together before they lead. From building associate teams and separating brands to launching a heart-led coaching offer, Jessica shares the real (and often messy) middle—where clarity, courage, and connection are forged. So many of you are standing on the edge of your next season—coaching, teaching, creating a course,...
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How to Get Published: PR Strategies for Creatives with Meghan Ely
Play It Brave Podcast
I almost never say yes to cold pitches. But one late night, I opened an email from Meghan Ely of OFD Consulting—and instead of deleting it, I hit reply. It was researched, personal, and actually useful. That same energy comes through in this conversation, where Meghan shares how she’s helped creatives land features in The New York Times, Brides, Martha Stewart, People, and more. This episode will shift how you think about PR—not as something reserved for celebrities or giant corporations, but as a powerful tool for any creative entrepreneur ready to be seen. In this episode, we cover: ...
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How to Build an Aligned Business with Brad & Jen
Play It Brave Podcast
Have you ever built something that looked incredible from the outside…but didn’t actually feel good to live in? I’ve been there, and so have today’s guests, Brad & Jen. Brad & Jen are a husband-and-wife photography duo with over a decade of experience behind the camera and in business. When I first came across their words on Instagram, I was struck by how different their perspective was from the usual “grow faster, do more” business advice. Their work and their message are both rooted in something deeper: artistry with intention. In this conversation, we dive into what it...
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From Scarcity to Confidence: Collaboration in the Creative Industry with Carrie Moe
Play It Brave Podcast
On today’s episode of Play It Brave, I’m joined by my dear friend, the incredible creative and leader, Carrie Moe. Carrie is someone I deeply admire—not only because of her talent (she’s styled for brands like Ritz-Carlton, Fujifilm, and Berta Bridal, and been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, and Brides), but because of the way she approaches her work with confidence, creativity, and so much integrity. We dive into: ✨ Why collaboration is more powerful than competition in the creative industry. ✨ The myth of “falling behind” and how to release the pressure to keep...
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How to Write Your Story with Marion Roach Smith
Play It Brave Podcast
In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Marion Roach Smith—author, memoir coach, and one of the most no-nonsense, truth-telling voices in the writing world. We talked all about memoir writing—what it is, what it isn’t, and why it’s one of the most powerful tools for making sense of your life and sharing your story with the world. Marion shares how her background in journalism shaped her writing process, and how she developed what she calls the “memoir algorithm”—a simple but profound method to help you find the universal themes in your...
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Reinventing Your Photography Business at Any Age with Natasha Sewell
Play It Brave Podcast
Today on the Play It Brave podcast, I’m joined by the ever-inspiring Natasha Sewell—a photographer, educator, and expert in creating heartfelt client experiences. Natasha started her photography business at 41, and if you’ve ever thought you were “too late” to pivot or start something new, you need to hear this story. We talk about making bold moves at any age—whether you’re transitioning from studio to lifestyle sessions, from family photography to branding, or just feeling creatively stuck and needing a reset. Natasha shares how she built a successful newborn photography...
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How to Build an Authentic Personal Brand with Dr. Chelsea Shields - Part 2
Play It Brave Podcast
This week, the brilliant Dr. Chelsea Shields and I continue the conversation about something that’s at the heart of every powerful brand and every transformational leader: authenticity. We go deep into what it means to show up fully as yourself in your brand, your business, and your life. From emotional intelligence to the way you use your voice and body to communicate, this conversation is a masterclass in being seen and felt as the real you. Chelsea and I talk about how hard it can be—especially for women—to strike the balance between being authentic and being perceived as...
info_outlineEver wondered what it really takes to become a second shooter that lead photographers rave about—or how to find one you can trust with your name, brand, and reputation?
In this candid and wisdom-packed episode, I sit down with award-winning photographer and my own second shooter, Jasmine Ortiz, to dive deep into the art, etiquette, and energy of second shooting in the luxury wedding world.
With over 200 weddings under her belt, Jasmine brings a decade’s worth of insight into what it means to support lead photographers with professionalism, humility, and heart. From high-pressure moments and awkward vendor run-ins to gear checklists and social media boundaries, we don’t hold back in this conversation. We swap stories, laugh through horror moments (please don’t pitch yourself to the planner during cocktail hour), and unpack the subtle dynamics that can make or break a working relationship on the wedding day.
Whether you’re a new photographer hoping to break into the wedding industry, a seasoned second looking to elevate your presence, or a lead ready to build your dream team, this episode is full of real talk and practical gold.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
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What NOT to do as a second shooter (like drinking on the job)
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How to match a lead’s style and energy so you complement—not compete
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Why gear prep, clear communication, and a calm presence matter more than you think
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How to navigate photographing grooms and groomsmen as a female second shooter
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What to avoid when posting online—and why it’s essential to wait and ask for permission first
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How to energetically show up in service, not self-promotion
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Why building trust, humility, and team spirit will get you hired again and again
Jasmine also shares her favorite behind-the-scenes moment as a second shooter, how she handles fast-moving situations with grace, and why her second shooter checklist has become her wedding-day go-to.
And of course, Jasmine and I reflect on our own working relationship—from Target snack runs to shared values—and how much fun it can be when the lead/second synergy is just right.
This is more than just a how-to episode. It’s a heartfelt look into the power of being a solid, grounded, and generous support on a couple’s most important day.
Meet Jasmine
Jasmine Ortiz is an internationally-renowned wedding photographer based in California. She made a name for herself masterfully documenting irreplaceable moments and polished celebrations. She was named one of the "Top 30 Wedding Photographers in the USA" in 2023 and has photographed well over 200 weddings in her decade-long career.
→ Get Jasmine’s Second Shooter Checklist here
Jasmine’s Website
Jasmine’s Instagram
P.S. Want me to edit your images with the new DB Signature Presets & Editing Suite? Send me up to 5 RAW photos here.