Wedding Photogs in PA/NJ area - Second Shooter

[savone]

I have been looking to be a second shooter for weddings for a few weeks now. I only spoke to one photographer in New Jersey who seemed to think I was nuts. I was wondering what a good approach would be to become a second shooter for someone?? I am a 30 year old man with a full time career, I just wanted to point that out so you don't think I am walking into a professional enviroment with dirty sneakers, ripped jeans and a mohawk! :)

Anyway, I am really interested in being a second shooter for someone in the NJ/PA area. Any help would be appreciated.

[mizuno]

What have you got against mohawks?

[savone]

What have you got against mohawks?

Nothing, but if I had a mohawk I could imagine someone not wanting to take me to a wedding as their assistant. The only time I hate mohawks is if they are in front of me at the movie theater!

[holland_patrick]

I would like to know the same..

[John Nicholas]

Well it really doesn’t seem like anyone has offered you much in the way of advice so let me see if I can help.
1. If you’re really interested in being a second shooter I would first say that you should definitely contact more than one photographer. Contact them all but as you say you’re a professional so be professional and be prepared to sell yourself. If you don’t have any experience in wedding photography describe & use the areas that you do have experience to your advantage and capitalize on them.
2. Do you have a web site YES and you have some great work in there so use it to your advantage. You obviously seem experienced in lighting portraiture posing composition etc. If you break it down very simply all of the above are relevant to wedding photography.
3. From the equipment you have listed in your sig you almost have everything you need with the exception of your 70-200 f/4 which would limit you during the ceremony but as a second shooter that isn’t something that I would require an assistant to have. Your 17-40 L & especially your 24-70 L should be more than sufficient as a second shooter.
4. Now here’s a question for you? What would you be expecting in terms of compensation? $500 might make someone laugh $100 might make someone jump. As an interesting suggestion if your looking for the experience only & a method of building your portfolio you may offer to work on a commission type basis with a set figure for any of your images that the primary would use.
5. One interesting point is that most photographer’s don’t typically shoot with seconds because of the additional costs involved to their clients. Hiring a second shooter obviously requires the client to bear an additional expense and as you should know from reading the forums cost especially regarding photography is typically an issue. Since most wedding photographers are what I would term as Mom & Pop type operations no disrespect intended using antiquated sales methodology (which I won’t elaborate on so don’t ask) with gross revenues typically in the mid 5 figure range = 20 X $2500 package with net revenues hopefully in the 60% to 70% range would =$35,000 net at the higher range. Adding a second without the up sell on the package at lets says $200 per shoot X 20 bookings reduces net by an additional 10% - 15% . More than likely that’s why the photographer laughed at you. Your reward for your efforts after a year 20 X $200 = 4K.
6. So in closing I’m going to make the assumption that your looking to second shoot too build your portfolio with the intent of adding weddings to the services you currently offer. If that’s the case sell your services on a commission type basis. Call back the photographer who laughed at you and explain to him how this would be a win win situation. You would gain the experience and his clients would gain a second shooter at no cost twice the coverage for no additional charge. If he uses some of your images great If not you’ll have had a whole day of shooting to add to your portfolio.

[John Nicholas]

Steven

Here's an interesting link regarding second shooter's and use of those images if that's your intent
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00I4Bq&tag=

[savone]

I just wanted to say I appreciate the time you put forth typing all that for me. Definitely some good information there, and I will try to make the best use of it, Thanks again.