Second Shooter

[Derweissehai]

I sometimes work as a second shooter at weddings, but the photographer has not gotten releases from the wedding party for me to post. So I can't post on my web page to show wedding photos. What is one to do?

[Tobiah]

ask the pro you shot for. they will probably have a yes use them or no dont policy.

[Derweissehai]

ask the pro you shot for. they will probably have a yes use them or no dont policy.

I did. He isn't getting the release signed by them and specificly told me that I couldn't post them.

[gateruner]

Kind of dumb. My contract has the release inside it. I havent had any issues with posting images on my site. As far a my second shooters, I ask that they wait 30 days to post them on their site to allow me to get the images out to the client first.

[Derweissehai]

Kind of dumb. My contract has the release inside it. I havent had any issues with posting images on my site. As far a my second shooters, I ask that they wait 30 days to post them on their site to allow me to get the images out to the client first.

I thought the same. I read the agreement when I signed on. But it did not state any where that I could or couldn't post. So i don't know what to do. I guess I'll just go out on my own and fins a few weddings a post then. Thanks for the reply and help.

[auroraskye]

This is why I would never shoot as a second shooter.

[primoz]

Normally, but this doesn't mean always, working as second shooter or assistant, goes under work for hire. With work for hire, you don't own your photos, so your rights are different then they would be, if you would be shooting on your own. So normally, again, this doesn't mean always, photographer who hired you, has right to decide what you can do, or what you can't do with photos.
But of course, it's always possible to discuss things and have them done differently.

[Tobiah]

do u want work from him again?

if its not in your contract...

[ssim]

I try and do everything under work for hire. When I hire a second shooter/assistant for any shoot everything is documented in an agreement that we both sign. The agreement basically stipulates that I will supply the camera for the second to use, I will do all the post processing and that I will allow them to take a copy of the images and that they can be posted on their own personal sites for self promotion. They cannot attempt to market the images.

In my wedding contract I have a clause that I (or my designates) reserve the right to use the images from the wedding for promotion. This covers me and the second shooter so that I don't have to go back to the customer every time that I want to use an image for promotional purposes.

If the photographer in question here refuses to obtain permission for you to use then you are somewhat hooped. The key is to get everything done in writing before you do the wedding. We all know that hindsight is 20/20 and life does give us some lessons that are not very tasteful at times. This sort of thing has been covered ad nauseam here and other forums. Error on the side of having too much paper work and then there can be no debate on what your rights are going forward.

Has the photographer indicated as to why he will not get the release for you. It seems rather odd and somewhat stuck up for him to take this approach. He has indicated that he does not want this to limit your ability to become his competition in the future. I know that there are some that take this approach but fail to realize that this is going to happen in any event. I would rather have a good working relationship with my pool of seconds. It doesn't take long for one to get a reputation of being an SOB and I can certainly see this happening here unless there is a good reason he is not helping you out. Any previous conflicts with this person?

"I guess I'll just go out on my own and fins a few weddings a post then". This is certainly your option but it almost sounds like you are doing this out of spite. Make sure that you are ready for this for the sake of both you and ultimately the customer.

[PhotosGuy]

When I hire a second shooter/assistant for any shoot everything is documented in an agreement that we both sign. That's the key point. Just because he hired you to shoot, does not automatically make it a "Work for Hire" situation.
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