Wedding - Volunteer 2nd Shooter

[MelissaRae]

(I hope this is in the correct section. Please move if not!)

A close friend of mine is getting married this summer. She asked if I would shoot the wedding, but I had to decline as I am still amateur, and have never had any experience with a wedding before. For such an important event, I don't want it to be experimental, for their sake.

However, I WOULD still like to shoot, just experimental and for my own experience and learning. I want to be able to work with the photographer she decides to hire, and not only learn from them and how they work, but how to handle a wedding session. However I do want them to be aware that I'm not just a friend with a camera looking for a shot, I want to be able to go on location with them and shoot as well.

She has mentioned she wants to book a photographer who is from out of town. Would it be wrong of me to ask for the photographers contact info to ask if I can assist them in shooting? I figured I could also help them find locations, as they are not from around here. As well, I wouldn't be in that particular photographers competition, with being 300 miles away.

I don't want to offend, and still remain professional. How would you handle this? If an aspiring photographer asked if they could assist you, what would your reaction be?

(I should also mentioned, I asked the friend if she would mind my shooting, and she said that is fine).

[nicksan]

I'm thinking maybe it's best for your friend to contact them on your behalf? The photographer might already have a second shooter, no?

[zagiace]

I would be very pleased had you contacted me directly first. I would prefer to talk to you.
I would also not have an issue with you being there, but the contracted photographer may. It would be best if you negotiated directly with the contracted photographer and be sure the person who actually contracted that photographer knows you are doing it too.

[Too Distracted]

The only issue I see is that this contracted photographer may not want the distraction of an "apprentice" while they try to keep the flow of a wedding on track.

The biggest deterrent would have been not wanting to create a competitor, but given the distance... hey, who knows... maybe they won't mind.

I was a guerrilla "2nd shooter" at my friend's wedding a year ago. I got some great shots, but likely ruffled the feathers of the hired photog as I nudged into her space at times. I smoothed that by talking about her gear during a few lulls in the shooting. Despite the ruffling, I got some great shots, and added that experience to my work (and made my friend happy!). Now, I actually assist as a 2nd shooter for a patient, established wedding photog.

Best of luck!

[tim]

I don't even let my assistant/second shooter have a camera while we're doing the wedding party or couple portrait shoot, no way would I let a friend shoot or even come along. The only exception would be if I needed an assistant. The reason is the more people are around the harder it is for people to relax, and for the couple to express themselves. If they insisted the friend be allowed to come along I wouldn't take photos while the friend was holding a camera. I've also had far too many times people look at the wrong camera even if the other photographer is nowhere near me, spoiling my photos.

Have your friend tell the photographer a friend will be along and will be taking photos, but will check in with them at the start of the day, will stay out of the day, and will do as requested. Be nice and the photographer will be nice to you, help you out, etc, be a pita and they'll do their best to banish you, you'll throw the pro off, and spoil the wedding photos.

[nprdavid]

I was asked by my mother in law to do this but was concerned because they had hired a pro to do the photos.

I told her I would do a couple of the at home shots but nothing of the wedding. The photographer put's food on the table by taking and selling these photos.

[MelissaRae]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I figure I can ask and see how it goes, but to be sure I'm not getting in the way or disturbing the photographer. I've also considered having an after the wedding "trash the dress" type shoot with my friend, I'll have to see if she's open to the idea however...