Second shooter code of ethics

I am in a business ethics class and we were talking about code of ethics. These are guidelines we expect people to abide by, and we all (hopefully) run our business in an ethical way. It would be interesting to see all of your thoughts on what you expect as a code of ethics for a second shooter. I believe this will help people wanting to become a second shooter to see what some of the pros expect of them.

Ill start it off with a few.

A second shooter is expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner in their interactions, both with the main shooter and guests.

A second shooter is to never promote their work while at the event. This includes (but not limited to) giving their contact info/business cards, contacting the client after the event, or trying to get future business from the job.

I would like to hear what you all feel is appropriate/inappropri​ate for a second shooter, and what should be included in a code of ethics.

Thank you.

Have a read of this. I send all my 2nd shooter this link:
http://208.116.8.147 …-tips-for-second-shooting

siddr20 wrote in post #11909235
Have a read of this. I send all my 2nd shooter this link:
http://208.116.8.147 …-tips-for-second-shooting

That is a great post. I have read it before but totally forgot about it. I think this is a great setup, and written better than I could have.

Yea she has covered it well.

I completely disagree with her advice about a second shooter never passing out a business card. If a guest asks the second shooter for his or her card, then I would expect them to hand out both his or her own and the main shooter's.

Sp1207 wrote in post #11911163
I completely disagree with her advice about a second shooter never passing out a business card. If a guest asks the second shooter for his or her card, then I would expect them to hand out both his or her own and the main shooter's.

Only pass out the primary shooter's card. Handing out your own is tacky and unethical.

Sp1207 wrote in post #11911163
I completely disagree with her advice about a second shooter never passing out a business card. If a guest asks the second shooter for his or her card, then I would expect them to hand out both his or her own and the main shooter's.

oh hell no. that is so rude imo. the second shooter is working for the main, period.

I don't know, if I hired someone to work for me as a second I would expect him/her to pass out their own as well. It almost seems rude (at least to me) if I hired someone and asked them not to act personally as well. I mean I am hiring them (if I'm smart) to make more money off of them than they cost me.

Sp1207 wrote in post #11911773
I don't know, if I hired someone to work for me as a second I would expect him/her to pass out their own as well. It almost seems rude (at least to me) if I hired someone and asked them not to act personally as well. I mean I am hiring them (if I'm smart) to make more money off of them than they cost me.

That would be a conflict of interest, wouldn't it? Someone using their position in one company (i.e. shooting for YOU, representing YOUR company) to benefit and advance their own person or company. They wouldn't even be talking to these people in the first place if you weren't there to hire him. People get fired, and lawsuits happen over this daily. This is considered a serious issue in the working world. If you are ok with it then that's totally fine, but it certainly is NOT the norm. You may also be setting up your second shooters to have unrealistic expectations when they work for someone else.

Maybe it seems like no big deal because these are very small scale contracts... but if someone were to do this on a multi million dollar construction contract, you KNOW heads would roll. Larger scale, but exactly the same infraction.

This is enough of an issue that some people even voluntarily quit their jobs if their SPOUSE starts a business that could potentially be a conflict of interest with their job. Nobody really wants to be caught in the middle of a conflict of interest lawsuit.

Never should a second give out his/her business card during a paid second shooter role. You are there at the direction of the main! You represent the main shooter, you are there under his/her name. Why anyone would consider otherwise show a bit of immaturity with the proper business roles and responsibility!

2nd shooter should'nt pass their business cards. PERIOD... 1st thats not your client. 2nd you second shoot because(101 reasons) you are hired or needs an experience therefore its not ehtical for you to do so. 3rd you and the main shooter are one, you can not act on your own. if you can't handle that dnt second shoot and find yourself a client.

Second shooters should never promote their own businesses. Ever. Totally unethical.

Also, don't hit on the bride, that's a no-no.

tim wrote in post #11913360
Also, don't hit on the bride, that's a no-no.

damn, that's the whole reason i am in the business...

NEVER should the second shooter hand over their card - totally unethical in my book and what does it say to the customer about the kind of staff the main shooter hires.

In the customers (or potential customer) eye this lessens the standing and professionalism of the primary shooter.

The best ethical rules are those in writing with signatures at the bottom.

BTW, the second owns the copyright of the images he or she takes--unless it is in writing otherwise.