Secondary Photographer for Wedding

bsaber · 19th of May 2008 (Mon)

So this is my situation right now. I shot a wedding for a friend awhile back as a secondary photographer working on my own. I've been keeping in touch with the primary photog since then and today he contacted me and asked if I would be willing to work with him as a secondary freelance photog for an upcoming wedding. I will be working under him and assisting him. We haven't talked about anything yet other than I'm interested and that we're discuss it in more detail tomorrow when I have time to visit his studio.

I have a few questions: what does a freelance secondary photog usually charge/make per wedding? Will I be able to use some of the pictures for my own portfolio? Do I need to sign a contract?

And any other tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

bsaber · 20th of May 2008 (Tue)

Anyone?

JakeB. · 20th of May 2008 (Tue)

You probably haven't gotten any replies because this seems to come up pretty often. Since it's at the top anyway...

You should definately have a contract, and we pay our (good, and accustomed) second's $30/hr. The average is a little less I think.

Rock Photo Star · 20th of May 2008 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsaber

Anyone?

What I've seen mentioned on other boards are a rate from $20-$40 an hour on the upper end plus a percent of print sales [again a condition on the upper end and rare].

So if you are second shooting for 5 hours, then payment would be between $100-200 not counting post-processing time - which the main photog might do.

I think I've seen people get as high as $300-$400 for a second shoot gig for all day.

bsaber · 20th of May 2008 (Tue)

Thanks for the replies. I mainly wanted to know if I could use the photos in my portfolio. Guess I should of put that question first.

Philco · 20th of May 2008 (Tue)

Every primary shooter has their own parameters - most allow for in-studio use of your images, but forbid online use in general, except sometimes for blog use with credit given to the primary photographer. Their clients sign a release for them to use images online for marketing, etc. but it doesn't extend to second shooters, though by rights, your images are your images. I think $200- 350 is pretty common for a day, depending on what you bring to the party.

bsaber · 20th of May 2008 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philco

Every primary shooter has their own parameters - most allow for in-studio use of your images, but forbid online use in general, except sometimes for blog use with credit given to the primary photographer. Their clients sign a release for them to use images online for marketing, etc. but it doesn't extend to second shooters, though by rights, your images are your images. I think $200- 350 is pretty common for a day, depending on what you bring to the party.

Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know. Will be going to talk to the photog in an hour or so.

RyanSweeney · 24th of May 2008 (Sat)

Photographers in my area pay $150 for a full day on a straight up "assisting" gig, which is 6 to 8 hours. For second shooters, they pay $250.

And yes, most primary photographers will want to PP your pics.

bsaber · 24th of May 2008 (Sat)

Thanks, I'm getting $100 for this wedding (5-6 hours) and I get to use the pics in my port. The primary photog will process but I can do whatever I want with my pics except for commercial use of course. No contract for me to sign just show up and do the work. I think I got a pretty good deal out of it.

SuzyView · 24th of May 2008 (Sat)

Sounds good, but make sure you take a zillion pictures so the primary can have lots to choose from. You have great gear, so go at it! Maybe talk to the primary about what kind of shots he wants you to cover for him. I would put the 24-70 on and the 580 with diffuser and go nuts.

If you have a prime, like the 85 1.8, it's wonderful for portraits of people while they are just hanging around.

bsaber · 24th of May 2008 (Sat)

Thanks for the advice Suzy! I will definitely take as many shots as possible. I'll be taking about 20GBs of CF cards which is plenty.

amfoto1 · 24th of May 2008 (Sat)

The primary photog should provide you with a copy of his contract with the B&G. It probably clarifies who keeps the copyright and how the photos can be used by the photographer after the fact.

A copy of it would be handy to have just in case any questions ever came up.

bsaber · 24th of May 2008 (Sat)

Quote:

Originally Posted by amfoto1

The primary photog should provide you with a copy of his contract with the B&G. It probably clarifies who keeps the copyright and how the photos can be used by the photographer after the fact.

A copy of it would be handy to have just in case any questions ever came up.

That's a good point, I'll bring it up with the photog when I see him again next week before the actual wedding day. Thanks for the advice.

tim · 24th of May 2008 (Sat)

With little experience: nothing to minimum wage, maybe a bit more.
If you've a little experience: minimum wage
If you're pretty good and mostly a 2nd shooter: double minimum wage
If you could shoot on your own: name your own price

bsaber · 24th of May 2008 (Sat)

I don't have a lot of experience but the photog likes my work from a previous wedding I did. I'm getting about $10/hr which is about $2 over minimum wage.

19th of May 2008 (Mon)	#1
bsaber I have no idea what's going on Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,519	Secondary Photographer for Wedding So this is my situation right now. I shot a wedding for a friend awhile back as a secondary photographer working on my own. I've been keeping in touch with the primary photog since then and today he contacted me and asked if I would be willing to work with him as a secondary freelance photog for an upcoming wedding. I will be working under him and assisting him. We haven't talked about anything yet other than I'm interested and that we're discuss it in more detail tomorrow when I have time to visit his studio. I have a few questions: what does a freelance secondary photog usually charge/make per wedding? Will I be able to use some of the pictures for my own portfolio? Do I need to sign a contract? And any other tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. __________________ Ronnie - 1Dx \| 5D mark II \| 1D mark II \| T2i \| 24-105L \| 200mm f/2.8L \| 17-40mm f/4L \| 50mm f/1.4 \| 430ex \| 580ex \| And many more... A recovering Leica M9 user My Blog

20th of May 2008 (Tue)	#2
bsaber I have no idea what's going on Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,519	Re: Secondary Photographer for Wedding Anyone? __________________ Ronnie - 1Dx \| 5D mark II \| 1D mark II \| T2i \| 24-105L \| 200mm f/2.8L \| 17-40mm f/4L \| 50mm f/1.4 \| 430ex \| 580ex \| And many more... A recovering Leica M9 user My Blog

20th of May 2008 (Tue)	#3
JakeB. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 181	Re: Secondary Photographer for Wedding You probably haven't gotten any replies because this seems to come up pretty often. Since it's at the top anyway... You should definately have a contract, and we pay our (good, and accustomed) second's $30/hr. The average is a little less I think. __________________ Mavella.com Facebook Flickr Gear

20th of May 2008 (Tue)	#5
bsaber I have no idea what's going on Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,519	Re: Secondary Photographer for Wedding Thanks for the replies. I mainly wanted to know if I could use the photos in my portfolio. Guess I should of put that question first. __________________ Ronnie - 1Dx \| 5D mark II \| 1D mark II \| T2i \| 24-105L \| 200mm f/2.8L \| 17-40mm f/4L \| 50mm f/1.4 \| 430ex \| 580ex \| And many more... A recovering Leica M9 user My Blog

20th of May 2008 (Tue)	#6
Philco Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SandyEggo, CA. Posts: 940	Re: Secondary Photographer for Wedding Every primary shooter has their own parameters - most allow for in-studio use of your images, but forbid online use in general, except sometimes for blog use with credit given to the primary photographer. Their clients sign a release for them to use images online for marketing, etc. but it doesn't extend to second shooters, though by rights, your images are your images. I think $200- 350 is pretty common for a day, depending on what you bring to the party. __________________ Canon 5D MKIII/Canon 5D MKII/ 70-200 F2.8 IS L / 24-70 F2.8L / 85 F1.2L II/ 35 f1.4L / 135 F2.0L / Canon 600 EX-RT X 2 [size=1]r follow me on Facebook.

24th of May 2008 (Sat)	#8
RyanSweeney Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spring Hill, Tennessee Posts: 324	Re: Secondary Photographer for Wedding Photographers in my area pay $150 for a full day on a straight up "assisting" gig, which is 6 to 8 hours. For second shooters, they pay $250. And yes, most primary photographers will want to PP your pics. __________________ 2 x 7D \| 16-35 f/2.8 L \| 24-70 f/2.8 L \| 70-200 f/2.8 L IS \| 50 f/1.4 \| 28 f/1.8

24th of May 2008 (Sat)	#10
SuzyView Ms Moderator and Grandma Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern VA Posts: 31,485 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Secondary Photographer for Wedding Sounds good, but make sure you take a zillion pictures so the primary can have lots to choose from. You have great gear, so go at it! Maybe talk to the primary about what kind of shots he wants you to cover for him. I would put the 24-70 on and the 580 with diffuser and go nuts. If you have a prime, like the 85 1.8, it's wonderful for portraits of people while they are just hanging around. __________________ Suzie - Still Speaking Canonese! *5D2* *7D & G12, the new iPad, iPhone 5 , 5 L's & 2 Primes* 23 bags - 4 Domke, 3 Lowepro, 1 Crumpler, 2 Tamrac, 5 Kata, 3 Thinktanks, 1 Pelican, 1 Tenba bag, 1 Epiphanie Paris & 2 Coach Handbag! And no excuses. My children are the reason, but it's the passion that drives me to get the perfect image of everything. My Gear and Wishes

24th of May 2008 (Sat)	#12
amfoto1 Cream of the Crop Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 8,785	Re: Secondary Photographer for Wedding The primary photog should provide you with a copy of his contract with the B&G. It probably clarifies who keeps the copyright and how the photos can be used by the photographer after the fact. A copy of it would be handy to have just in case any questions ever came up. __________________ Alan Myers "Walk softly and carry a big lens." GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, a bunch of lenses & accessories - FLICKR - PRINTROOM

24th of May 2008 (Sat)	#14
tim Light Bringer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 47,927 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Secondary Photographer for Wedding With little experience: nothing to minimum wage, maybe a bit more. If you've a little experience: minimum wage If you're pretty good and mostly a 2nd shooter: double minimum wage If you could shoot on your own: name your own price __________________ NZIPP Qualified Professional wedding photographer. Camera and Lens Reviews ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer Wellington Wedding Photographer (site2) ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer (site3) Read all my FAQs (wedding, printing, lighting, books, etc)

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