2nd shooter in a wedding ...

[816_Studios_Inc]

How would you go about finding a wedding photographer in your area and asking if they would like a 2nd shooter from time to time, or even all of the events that they do?

Basically, I would love to learn how to shoot weddings, and would really like to get some shooting time in next to a seasoned professional. The last thing I would ever want to do is book a wedding job for the first time without ever have taken a wedding photo.

Would an established wedding photographer view you (me) as competition, and not even consider it? Should there be a certain protocol when approaching a photographer for this request?

And lastly ... any wedding photogs in MO/KS need a 2nd shooter? :)

[Idknown]

Hey Zombie,

I signed up just to tell you this. I don't know where you are located, but Craigslist covers a lot of the world.

Go to CL and then down there's a gigs section. Look at Events, and/or Creative. You'll find a lot of gigs for photographers and misc jobs. You can take jobs here (usually pays very little). Some even ask for amateurs to shoot at their weddings (because they want to pay you little to nothing).

There will also be a lot of photos asking for second shooters. But usually, they want their 2nd shooters to be experienced. If you're willing to do it for free, you can always find an ad, and offer to do it for free in exchange for experience.

I found a photog who was nice enough to take me on as a mentee. She doesn't pay me because I ask her not to until I show some results worth paying for.

I recommend it highly.

[816_Studios_Inc]

Hey Zombie,

I signed up just to tell you this. I don't know where you are located, but Craigslist covers a lot of the world.

Go to CL and then down there's a gigs section. Look at Events, and/or Creative. You'll find a lot of gigs for photographers and misc jobs. You can take jobs here (usually pays very little). Some even ask for amateurs to shoot at their weddings (because they want to pay you little to nothing).

There will also be a lot of photos asking for second shooters. But usually, they want their 2nd shooters to be experienced. If you're willing to do it for free, you can always find an ad, and offer to do it for free in exchange for experience.

I found a photog who was nice enough to take me on as a mentee. She doesn't pay me because I ask her not to until I show some results worth paying for.

I recommend it highly.

Hey Idknown ... thanks for the response. We actually have a pretty active Craigslist here in Kansas City, so I'll have to keep my eyes on it. Thanks for the reply, and I hope you enjoy the board as much as I do.