Assistants for weddings

[tim]

Of you professional wedding photographers, how many of you have assistants? Of those, how many use them as 2nd shooters? I'm seriously considering it. I'm finding I could use some help, mainly to help with lighting, gear, and somtimes to cover other angles. I also want radio slaves, and about five times as much time as I usually have available.

[ahalowell]

Hi TIm!

I'm not a professional. I used to do weddings many years ago with medium format equipment - got to be just about every weekend. That became a drag and I quit. However, the one thing that made my photos extraordinary was my wife. She went with me and she posed all the shots. She made sure EVERY SINGLE line was perfect before she let me shoot. She reloaded my film backs while she was doing this, I might add. There was never a crooked tie, an arm out of place or someone with their eyes closed.

She has a keen eye and is much more detail-oriented than me. As a result, our work received high honors from our customers and every subsequent customer was a referral from a previous customer. It was pretty amazing. I do have to say it took a lot of the pressure off me. I just took the photos, processed the film and printed the images. She did the hard work.

So, for what it's worth, if you have someone who can do that for you I think you will find it much less complicated, shall we say??

Good luck!

[CyberPet]

Well, I have about the same amount of weddings under my belt as you Tim, but I find an assistant being good, for helping with the gear. At some times a second shooter would be great too, but the assistant/second shooter I tried out last shoot was a disaster. He was trying ot "outshoot" me and hogged my equipment instead of helping me *with* the equipment. I was struggling enough as it was. So be careful with whom you choose, be sure you are on the same side so you don't end up blowing a fuse because that "helpful" asssitant is trying to be better than you (luckily the guy wasn't good, but he did end up being in my way instead of helping me).

[C at Carol's Photography]

Hi Tim
I've been a professional wedding photographer for 10 years now, I do have an assistant with me to cover most of my larger weddings. The best way to learn the wedding business is to work under a professional for awhile. You have to start somewhere, it's much better to learn from the best. They can teach you so much, most photographers I know are willing to hire and train a new comer. Check out my web site www.carolsphotography.net All the best.
C at Carol's Photography

[NGrinerPhoto]

i always have an a second shooter who's main purpose is to be an assistant.

[cmM]

I don't have one, and I only will if the wedding is big enough or if the couple wants it.

[PIXI_666]

Tim,

hehe i use my husband as my "Apprentice" he enjoys the subject but doesn't want to do it as much as me, so he is only too happy to help me make some cahs on the side. He passes me lenses, cameras, and also holds up reflectors etc. It's ALL you really need, becaus eyou dont want a 2nd photographer taking away your shots hahahaha - thats the way i see it anyway!!

Del

[PIXI_666]

Oh and i didnt want to offend anybody either, i was looking at it from a "Home Business" POV, as in having the cash for yourself and only doing a few weddings per year, if i were a pro i think an assistant would be handy for larger weddings....

[tim]

My girlfriend lives too far away to help out :(

What I mainly need to do is help people plan their wedding day more, so i'm not quite so rushed.

[dsze]

Tim, I have done them without anyone else and with my wife as an assistant. I can tell you that the wedding itself is much more fun and creative with my wife as the assist. and the images are better too. I think if you have the right assistant, then it makes a world of difference. A bad assist. would make a world of difference too, I imagine ;) I've got myself a good one! ....and I don't even have to pay her! Ok, ok... she has her costs, but .....

[kawter2]

I try to use an assistant 100% of the time. but they never (i should say VERY rarely) carry my gear or anything like that..

Bottom line is I cant shoot PJ by myself. I need someone complementing my angles and shots etc. IMO if you are shooting posed shots all day long, it is not really needed,

But it KILLS me when i go out without a good assistant..

[ricohcam01]

Hey Tim:

I have about 20 or so weddings under my belt now and have about 22 booked for this year. I find when using an assistant you can be more artistic. The reason for this is because you do not worried about getting the classic photos because the assistant is getting shots aswell. The other reason I like them is because of the clients. People just like to see two photographers at a wedding if makes them feel like they are getting the coverage they are asking for. There are two words I like to use in my own mind. Overkill and redondancey. (spl). LOL Just my two cents worth. I hope it helps.

[blueminnie]

I absolutely use an assistant for weddings! Wouldn't do it any other way-She helps with my equipment, set up, tear down, setting up the shots, making sure we are checking off the list of shots, etc. To have the extra set of eyes is invaluable to me because of the fast pace of weddings. This year she will also be shooting so we can capture twice as many shots.

Can people give a range of what they pay their assistants?? How have you come up with your numbers???

[kawter2]

going rate around these parts is

minimum wage for non shooting assistants

$10-15-20 for shooting assistants w/o own gear

$20-30 for shooting assistants with their own gear

[SR071]

Tim,

Just make sure whoever you choose WANTS to be there....

I was in a wedding party and the photog had an assistant who was obviously someone he also used as a model - and she had that model's pout to perfection. She looked like she was disgusted with the lot of us the whole time - she was constantly looking at her watch, was slow to move around with a reflector and never once smiled...I had a bet (unclaimed) $50 to any groomsman who makes her at least smile....

[tim]

Good point SR071. I'd want a photography student so I knew they wanted to be there, plus i'd pay them. I must get around to this one day...

[CyberPet]

Tim, also make sure you're not being "out shot". I.e. the assistant I tried was not a good choice, so make sure they are not shooting the *same* thing you are, but find their own angles, if they want something for their portfolio. I also found it very useful when I was assisting my mentor, to shoot from other angles. At some points, he did want me to take the same angles and told me "take over" the pose. But oftentimes we were working "side by side" so to speak, even if we actually weren't standing shoulder to shoulder.

[tim]

Good point Petra. I would have an assistant who would get to shoot occasionally I think, and not much to start with. If they ended up being a better photographer than me (which wouldn't be too hard!) it could be embarrasing, but at least my days would be more relaxing ;)

[CyberPet]

LOL, well I doubt that. But my assistant - a 19 year old boy - thought he was better than me and made sure he took up way too much room during *MY GIG*. He was supposed to hold my reflector, to soften the flash light, since we were forced to take the portraits indoors. He hogged the reflector and I had to tell him several times to pay attention to *me* and what I needed him to do. If he would have been better tha me, fine, but now he was just annoying and it was hard to keep a calm and straight face, trying to not give away that this guy was going to be kicked out any second.

My assistant for next wedding is gonna be fun though, it's my mentor!!! He told me he wanted to come and shoot a winter wedding with me. That's a case where I *KNOW* my assistant is going to be better than me. :D

I so perfer my hubby as an assistant. He can read my mind, no need to talk much, he's just there in the right spot when I need him. Plus he has eyes in his back, so he finds great locations to go to next, while we're still shooting and he's helping me. I wish I can coax him into using the camera more - he'd be great at it!

[Tribug]

My husband is my assistant, and my second shooter. He does the detail shots, and assists me as 'reflector boy' when I am doing formals. Also, he is a great PJ, while I am better getting the artsy images.

The important thing, is to make it clear from the beginning, what you expect from them, and when they can use their camera, if at all.

Petra, I need to come and assist you one of these winters ;) (It's Teri lol)

[CyberPet]

Teri... you are everywhere (or am I?)... you *have* to come and shoot with me and I'll come and shoot with you. I know we'll have a ball!!!! *squeeze* :D

[Tribug]

Hey girl, I can't sleep, but what are you doing up this late? LOL

yeah, I think we would have blast too, LOL. I have been a member here for a while, but don't post regularly. Actually, I'm stalking you! LOL

edit, just realized I joined before you, so it's YOU that's stalking me! LMAO!

[Maureen Souza]

I had someone ask me to do her wedding this year after I'd done her engagement photos. She is having a HUGE affair so I insisted she hire another photographer for 4 hours to help cover the major events of the day. I will be there for 8 hours. There is just too much going on for me to manage it all myself. Small weddings are easier to manage alone.

[mizuno]

My wife is very keen to be my assistant for any weddings I happen to pick up.

She's fantastic with people, making them feel at ease, and setting up shots. She's also done the make-up for numerous weddings, so she can touch up the girls along the way if they need it! ;)

I reckon we'll be a good team.

[i2iSTUDIOS]

i'm working as a 2nd shooter this season.

I'm getting paid $125-$150 per day.

[Phil V]

My wife assists / second shoots. I'm trying to train her for the formals as, by nature, she's got a better eye for that sort of thing, whereas I'm better at PJ than she. I have no problem with the fact that on her first wedding with a camera she got MY favourite shot of the day. (I got the Brides favourite and my wife's favourite though - so it's just opinion).

I could happily work without her, but I wouldn't choose to. Forums are full of people looking to assist and learn, how come no-ones approached you to assist Tim?

[SuzyView]

My husband holds my bags and watches quietly while I run around like a crazy woman taking pictures, changing lenses, moving reflectors and stands, changing film, shifting people around, moving objects . . . He stands patiently and says nothing and follows me without a single complaint. Mainly, I am grateful he is watching all the gear and making sure nothing is left behind. Now, don't underestimate him. When we are on vacation and I know there is a shot to be had at the edge of a cliff overlooking a wonderul scene below and I can't get there without fainting from fear, he takes my camera and leaps to spots I can't and captures exactly what I would have and that's the picture I end up blowing up and putting on the mantle. That drives me crazy! :)

[Zepher]

Of the weddings I have videotaped, the photographer working the event had an assistant 90% of the time. Only the smaller events had the photographer working alone.

[CyberPet]

Suzie, sounds just like me.... on all accounts, even the fear of heights. :D

[tim]

Forums are full of people looking to assist and learn, how come no-ones approached you to assist Tim?

I'm in New Zealand, there's not many people in Wellington on this forum. I should really approach the university, they do photography classes and there's probably someone up there who would jump at the chance, especially if I paid them.

[SuzyView]

Petra, we really need to get together and exchange notes. :) Let's meet in Hawaii!

[CyberPet]

Suzie, I'm ALL for that idea!!!! :)

All I know for sure is that I'll be on your side of the world next spring/summer (2007). But then probably in Canada, shooting a wedding. I doubt you're close to Toronto, Ontario, Canada?

[SuzyView]

Well, VA is close to D.C. Can you take a detour and come south? Or even NYC? I promise we can really hit the town. I grew up there and have many, many fun places we could visit.

[dsze]

Suzie, I'm ALL for that idea!!!! :)

All I know for sure is that I'll be on your side of the world next spring/summer (2007). But then probably in Canada, shooting a wedding. I doubt you're close to Toronto, Ontario, Canada?

Petra, are you booking international weddings now? ...impressive!

[SuzyView]

I told my sons they can get married anywhere in the world and I would be there. They don't date. I've got a long way to wait. :( But I told them I'd be the assistant for the photographer at their weddings. I plan to be in the pictures. :)

[CyberPet]

dsze, nope.... but when the in-laws ask, you don't say no. Besides, I'll be at the wedding anyway, so why not make some money while having a party. :D

[.me]

from the assistants point of view (me with some background experience) i'd be grateful to work for anybody doing anything - its all experience!
on the other hand side spending 8300CAD on equipment recently I wouldn't want to stand around, doing nothing...
and to pay the eqipment off I think working for free isn't a very bright idea.
I mean its not about money, its just surviving. come on -- whats $300 a week? Nothing!
If lets say if you're getting 150 an event (usually from what I know it doesn't get more than that)

so back to not the money issue, we'd love to work for photographers...

[cinci-photo]

I'm definitely not a professional. I've only done 4 weddings. The last wedding I did was a Catholic wedding. I went to the rehearsal with an assistant (friend). I think it was well worth it having her at the wedding. The couple was married in an extremely large church and shifted from one side to the other. It was nice to have someone cover the second half of the church. I didn't have to run around during the cermony and she captured some very nice shots as well. I would recomment an assistant. It can definitely save a lot of missed shots.

[tim]

Since I injured myself at my last wedding (archilies tendon) I decided to hire someone to help out with my next wedding. I found someone who's just finished an arts degree specialising in photography to be my bag carrier, with the advantage that she can help out in other ways. The only worry is if she's better at taking photos than me, in which case i'll just sit back, let her to the work, and relax! ;)

[.me]

Tim! You disappointed me!
Why did that person that "just finished an arts degree specialising in photography " has to "to be YOUR bag carrier"????
Plus it a SHE!!
I am very disappointed!
We dont go to school to carry bags! DUUUUHHH!

Since I injured myself at my last wedding (archilies tendon) I decided to hire someone to help out with my next wedding. I found someone who's just finished an arts degree specialising in photography to be my bag carrier, with the advantage that she can help out in other ways. The only worry is if she's better at taking photos than me, in which case i'll just sit back, let her to the work, and relax! ;)

[tim]

Tim! You disappointed me!
Why did that person that "just finished an arts degree specialising in photography " has to "to be YOUR bag carrier"????
Plus it a SHE!!
I am very disappointed!
We dont go to school to carry bags! DUUUUHHH!

I advertised for someone to carry my bags and equipment while i'm injured, with a preference for someone with some knowledge of photography. This girl is the person who's replied, makes no difference if she has a degree or not, and she wants the job. I treat woman as equals and it's not like it's heavy equipment, just heavier than I want to lift right now.

[.me]

I mean you made it sound like you're EVIL :twisted::twisted::twisted::twisted:
and i know that noone is :twisted: in this forum :)
:P

[kawter2]

how much gear are you taking to a wedding?? all of my stuff fits in my Crumpler 7million dollar home.

[tim]

One large lowepro bag with two bodies and a half dozen lenses. One bag with tripod and monopod. Studio lighting which i've never actually used. I probably don't really need an assistant to carry that stuff, last time I had a lot of walking to do with the gear, and walking is still painful after hurting my leg.