How much do you pay your 2nd Shooter?

I shoot as 2nd for Others and also bring in 2nd Shooter when I shoot as main and it goes from $200 - $400 depending on duty and hours.

How much do you pay your 2nd Shooter?
How do you pay, by hour or by wedding?
TIA!

That sounds like the typical range.

$400 to second shoot (but I rarely use second shooters) $100 for an assistant who does not shoot.

My assistants (who happen to be my sons) get $10/hour including travel time so they're $100-$120 for the day.

I don't used second shooters often, but it typically $250-$300 for 5-6 hours. They only stay until after the first dance and the toasts; I'll shoot the bulk of the reception alone.

$400 is my usual rate for my prefered #2 guys
I have a 3rd option that I pay $250 but he's short on his own gear and relies far too much on my gear...

Nothing. My second is my fiance. He doesn't ask to be paid, just fed.

PeaceFire wrote in post #13481837
Nothing. My second is my fiance. He doesn't ask to be paid, just fed.

Ha ha


Same here. My second is my wife. We probably should not talk about the fringe benefits

umphotography wrote in post #13481939
Ha ha

Same here. My second is my wife. We probably should not talk about the fringe benefits

hehe, totally hear ya.

i pay her with ice cream after each wedding

but i'm new in the business, and hope that i can actually pay her in the future, well pay us eventually.
so far all the money goes towards new gear

The shooters I've second shot for that are the highest-end on price tend to be the cheapest on paying for second shooters. It's the more middle of the road photographers that seem to be more generous, but at the same time, there's so much pressure on price these days, it almost seems generous to offer $40hr.

Have you guys have any bad experiences regarding second shooters and videographers that you hired? It happened to me twice, both will probably never again work for me. I could have tons of work for second shooters and videographers but I simply decide not to mention that idea to couples, am I to paranoid? My motto is if you can do it alone do it! Other than that I paid my shooters $500 now I see I overpaid them according the above mentioned amounts

If you can shoot it solo, then by all means, shoot them solo.

When I second shoot, my minimum rate is $400. I've gotten paid $500-$600 on gigs here and there.

I feel that having other shooters can be both a blessing and a curse because while you may have better coverage, it's just an additional thing to worry about.

If you are lucky enough to have shooters you trust, then that's the most ideal. Like you would second for them on their gig and they would second shoot for you on your gig.

jcolman wrote in post #13475706
$400 to second shoot (but I rarely use second shooters) $100 for an assistant who does not shoot.

I would love to shoot 2nd for $400.

Peacefield wrote in post #13478695
My assistants (who happen to be my sons) get $10/hour including travel time so they're $100-$120 for the day.

I don't used second shooters often, but it typically $250-$300 for 5-6 hours. They only stay until after the first dance and the toasts; I'll shoot the bulk of the reception alone.

This is what I normally get.

SMP_Homer wrote in post #13481575
$400 is my usual rate for my prefered #2 guys
I have a 3rd option that I pay $250 but he's short on his own gear and relies far too much on my gear...

$400 and using your gears. That is good paying!

PeaceFire wrote in post #13481837
Nothing. My second is my fiance. He doesn't ask to be paid, just fed.

umphotography wrote in post #13481939
Ha ha
Same here. My second is my wife. We probably should not talk about the fringe benefits

Hahaha.... I can't say anything about this. Who know if my Beautiful Wife read POTN .

bigarchi wrote in post #13482136
hehe, totally hear ya.
i pay her with ice cream after each wedding
but i'm new in the business, and hope that i can actually pay her in the future, well pay us eventually.
so far all the money goes towards new gear

I am new as well and 2/3 of what I earned goes towards new gears as well.

nicksan wrote in post #13484005
If you can shoot it solo, then by all means, shoot them solo.
When I second shoot, my minimum rate is $400. I've gotten paid $500-$600 on gigs here and there.
I feel that having other shooters can be both a blessing and a curse because while you may have better coverage, it's just an additional thing to worry about.
If you are lucky enough to have shooters you trust, then that's the most ideal. Like you would second for them on their gig and they would second shoot for you on your gig.

As good as you are, I can't believe that you are not busy enough and still have time to shoot 2nd for others. The same goes with someone in San Diego that I know. Hope that when I get as good as you are, I will be so busy that I don't have time to shoot as 2nd (though I love shooting as 2nd).

If I look at all the checks I've written to second shooters myself, most of them wold be $350. If I'm teaching someone the ropes, then it's usually $200-$250 depending on what they bring to the party. I know a lot of people say that's pretty standard, but it's been really rare for other shooters to offer me tat much, but maybe it's because I'm in a saturated market.

Heres something that affects 2nd shooting alot, do you have your 2nds edit/cull their shots at the end? or do you just get the card.

Philco wrote in post #13486272
If I look at all the checks I've written to second shooters myself, most of them wold be $350. If I'm teaching someone the ropes, then it's usually $200-$250 depending on what they bring to the party. I know a lot of people say that's pretty standard, but it's been really rare for other shooters to offer me tat much, but maybe it's because I'm in a saturated market.

Could you please teaching me the ropes sometime Phil? I would love to work by you.

Csae wrote in post #13486278
Heres something that affects 2nd shooting alot, do you have your 2nds edit/cull their shots at the end? or do you just get the card.

I edit/cull myself. When I shoot as 2nd, I hand the cards the Main Shooter as soon as the session is done.