Getting Jobs as a Second Shooter

I've become increasingly interested in wedding photography and want some opportunities to shoot weddings and get some experience now that it is summer and I'm not as busy with the other non-photography parts of life that usually take up my time, but wanted advice from people here about how to get jobs as a second shooter.

My first thought was just to google wedding photographers in the Los Angeles area and ask any of them if they are interested, but wanted to check first if I'd be expected to have a portoflio to show them (and if so how much of one given that second shooting is about portfolio building and learning from what I understand)? Also I'm not sure about what kind of agreement is typical between the pro and the 2nd shooter...It's my understanding that usually the main photog does all the editing, and I'm assuming all my images would be available for him/her to use for the B&G but that I could also keep the rights to them so that I can build my portfolio, correct?

Not too long ago I did some shooting at a family member's wedding (there were hired photographers who I made sure not to get in the way of, but I just wanted to see what it was like to shoot--the hired photographers were also 2 hours late though so I had some time were I was asked to be the 'fill in' photographer because the hired ones weren't there), but my gear and knowledge has changed immensely since then and I'm certain I could get much better images the next time I shoot a wedding because of it. Despite that, I'm thinking that having a few of those images might be handy to show somebody I've contacted to ask about being a second shooter.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

I would search the web for local photographers and see which one has a similar style as you and then send them a nice letter or e-mail with a link to the work you have done.

I would also contact Jeff (Toogy) here in the forum to how he gets 2nd to help him and how much he pays them. Jeff has a different 2nd shooter every time. Well, at least it seems that way.

Anybody else have any tips--please? Half the people I find online seem to have significant others that are their second shooters (including Toogy), but hopefully I'll be able to find somebody before too long...
Thanks!

I have no luck with becoming a second shooter either. Not to easy to get into unless you network more and more.

If you guys are interested in second shooting it would be helpful to update your profile information to include where you are located. It is hard to get inquires not knowing where you are located.

jboyd wrote in post #5843123
If you guys are interested in second shooting it would be helpful to update your profile information to include where you are located. It is hard to get inquires not knowing where you are located.

Thanks for the tip! I just did so.

I emailed a bunch of photogs in town and asked them if they needed an assistant or a second shooter and found one who did. This really isn't the time of year to be asking for weddings. Closer to the beginning of spring would probably be better, but there will definitely be some need when fall gets closer.

Check your local craigslist. I see photographers in the Atlanta area looking for second shooters for weddings all the time. I can't imagine other areas being any different.

Michael

newbie builder wrote in post #5831382
I've become increasingly interested in wedding photography and want some opportunities to shoot weddings and get some experience now that it is summer and I'm not as busy with the other non-photography parts of life that usually take up my time, but wanted advice from people here about how to get jobs as a second shooter.

My first thought was just to google wedding photographers in the Los Angeles area and ask any of them if they are interested, but wanted to check first if I'd be expected to have a portoflio to show them (and if so how much of one given that second shooting is about portfolio building and learning from what I understand)? Also I'm not sure about what kind of agreement is typical between the pro and the 2nd shooter...It's my understanding that usually the main photog does all the editing, and I'm assuming all my images would be available for him/her to use for the B&G but that I could also keep the rights to them so that I can build my portfolio, correct?

Not too long ago I did some shooting at a family member's wedding (there were hired photographers who I made sure not to get in the way of, but I just wanted to see what it was like to shoot--the hired photographers were also 2 hours late though so I had some time were I was asked to be the 'fill in' photographer because the hired ones weren't there), but my gear and knowledge has changed immensely since then and I'm certain I could get much better images the next time I shoot a wedding because of it. Despite that, I'm thinking that having a few of those images might be handy to show somebody I've contacted to ask about being a second shooter.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

I get random emails all the time. Half of them either don't have anything to show me, or what they show me proves they don't know how to work a camera yet. If someone wants to 2nd for me, I don't want to be babysitting them or teaching them the basics. The idea of 2nd shooting is contributing shots while at the same time learning the interaction and flow aspects of a wedding - 2nd shooting isn't for learning how ISO, aperture, and shutter speeds interact anymore than it is learning how to frame a shot.

If you want to 2nd with me, you have to show me some strong photographs. They don't have to be weddings, but at least show me you know how to operate a camera.*


*This is advice, not an invitation.

cdifoto wrote in post #5852377
I get random emails all the time. Half of them either don't have anything to show me, or what they show me proves they don't know how to work a camera yet. If someone wants to 2nd for me, I don't want to be babysitting them or teaching them the basics. The idea of 2nd shooting is contributing shots while at the same time learning the interaction and flow aspects of a wedding - 2nd shooting isn't for learning how ISO, aperture, and shutter speeds interact anymore than it is learning how to frame a shot.

If you want to 2nd with me, you have to show me some strong photographs. They don't have to be weddings, but at least show me you know how to operate a camera.*


*This is advice, not an invitation.

Do you expect these shooters to have their own website, or is something like directing you to a flick or emailing you what they consider their portfolio quality images what you want from your second shooters? Thanks very much for that perspective, very helpful to hear!

newbie builder wrote in post #5853812
Do you expect these shooters to have their own website, or is something like directing you to a flick or emailing you what they consider their portfolio quality images what you want from your second shooters? Thanks very much for that perspective, very helpful to hear!

I really don't care how they show me the files, but I'm also pretty accommodating. Perhaps unusually so. I just want to see images that I think show they know what they're doing on a general level and are seeking the wedding-specific experience. Lowlight photography is lowlight photography. Flash photography is flash photography. Doesn't really matter what the subject is. Weddings aren't really much different than anything else when it comes to the technicals. It's the flow of the day and interaction with the B&G, wedding party, and guests that's different from anything else and that's what you need to 2nd shoot to experience. You're just not ready to 2nd shoot if you're still trying to grasp the basics. If you can show me a proficiency (or at least a good start) at portraiture and/or even indoor sports, I'd probably let you shoot with me.

I guess it's time for me to stop being lazy and finally put together the images I consider portfolio worthy....
Thanks for the tips cdifoto!

i did the same thing.. i googled the area to find wed-togs, and found one that i had actually met once. I sent a email stating that id like to give second shooting a try and have no real interest in learning and becoming compitition... we ended up meeting and were actually gonna be partners in the bis rather than just a assistant. she is turning down so many jobs due to being booked into next year... so we can both primary at separate weddings same day or tag team on days we dont. also she does many other shoots and has called me to cover something she can not make it too... while it may sound like i contradicted myself about not wanting to be on my own, and i dont want my own biz doing it... its much more comforting to me AND her knowing there are 2 people. At her last one she said she didnt even get nervous, just knowing that i was there.

i did send her a simple photo bucket sample gallery (no wedding shots as i didnt have any ) and when we met i took my lap top and some 8x10's for a hands on view.

I had a contact from my day job for my second shooter job, but I still had to meet the owner of the company. I just printed about 20 of my better photos, threw them in a photo album and took them with me. You can't possibly expect someone to hire you without showing photos.

get a small portfolio together and go to a bridal show. show the wedding photographers what you got if they have a free moment.

some will be grumpy and reject you immediately...others may be willing to give you an ear.