For those that use 2nd shooters....

Would you ever allow them to use a photo or photos they took while on a job for you in their portfolio?

I recently 2nd shot a wedding and while the main photographer was doing the usual bride and groom shots I was able to do my own thing and take photos of the bridesmaids and groomsmen and one of the shots I took was, what I feel, one of my best shots to date.

Have you ever, or would you ever allow a 2nd shooter to use the photo(s)? A google search gets me answers ranging "from absolutely not" to "they are going to post them anyhow so I don't really care".

I was a second shooter for a wedding a couple of years ago; I've been asked a few times since but have had schedule issues. The primary shooter provided with with cards to shoot for the day - I was able to copy all files before providing the cards back at the end of the night.

I've been second shooting this summer and have been able to use all my files. I provide a link to the main's web-page when using the photos.

Would I allow them to... yes. No problem at all so long as they wait until I've delivered the final product to the couple first.

I personally can't see any problem with them using photos that they took themselves. Perfectly reasonable in my book.

Thanks for the replies. I didn't want to seem out of line asking the primary shooter so I thought I'd ask here first. And yes, I'd surely wait until the final products have been delivered. I am slowly building up a portfolio and adding photos to my website and I think a couple of these would be a nice addition. Thanks all.

When I was second shooting starting off...my main objective was getting the experience and also getting some nice portfolio images. If I wasn't allowed image use then I would be a lot less likely to assist.

Now that I've got my own weddings, I don't care much about more portfolio images, but do care about pay.

I think if the photos are exclusive to the main, then the pay should be a little more. Also it's embarrassing when you can see the second photographer has the better photos.

Usually not publicly but ok privately.

I personally wouldn't shoot for anyone who wouldn't allow me to use my own images for promotion, unless they paid handsomely , but that's just me. When I have hired second shooters in the past I have always asked them to wait until after the client has received their images before they post anything on social media.

What's your contract say? Start there. If it says you can't, then you should probably expect to pay for rights to the photo. If it's that good of a photo, it may well be worth paying for.

I haven't been a 2nd shooter, but I'd say that if you composed your own shots I don't see why not. Now if the main photographer sets up the shot with the people, props, emotions, etc. and you are just grabbing the same shot as him, that is a different story. Even if the main photographer let you, it's not completely 100% your work.

I've been thinking about this for a long time now.
Im a second for a friend of mine who took me under his wings for the last 1.5 years. We have done about 30 wedding now together and from the beginning, he told me I cannot use any of the immages to promote myself publically.
At the beginning, I did understand his state of mind, as he was trying to establish himself as well. at this point he has, and now he is a full time wedding photog and has bookings 2 yearas ahead. Ive shot one wedding through his name and I have a feeling there may be more to come.

having said that, I do have the itch to use some of my own shots that I worked hard for. I have a different perspective from him, as he is very technical, I get more of the emotional shots that I belive make a big impact. Ive been holding off building my own website because I felt I didn't have enough material. If I look at all the immages I have on my HD, I have thousands and could surely use 10-20 stunning immages that would make my life very exciting in the future...

I never signed any contract other than a handshake, I do respect him and his wishes, but at the same time, I feel i'm being held back.

TO those who allow thier 2nd shooters to use their immages, big round of applause. It makes them work harder for themselves and you at the same time.

As a second shooter, I've been given mixed responses from the various primaries I've worked with. Most recently, I sat down with one I really like working with and we spent a couple hours going through and critiquing my images, at the end of which, I was able to pick and choose a bunch to use for my portfolio. I think that is the fair way to do it.

In my mind, even as a second, their images are still their work. They don't have the right to use them commercially, but portfolio use should be more than okay. Any wedding photographed by a second is often a higher-end and more expensive-looking wedding than they might typically get on their own. This is a good boost to their portfolio.

We let the second shooters use the photos for a printed portfolio, and in some cases, their online portfolio. We get the 2nd shooters to sign a contract beforehand.

But perhaps the main reason for me is that the couple they photographed as a second shooter hired us (tha primary) - in my opinion it wouldn't be cool if the couple saw their photos on someone else's website without their consent.

jackinavox wrote in post #17092445
in my opinion it wouldn't be cool if the couple saw their photos on someone else's website without their consent.

I've wondered how this would play out too. Unless the second shooter is popular or their website known, it's unlikely the photos could be seen. Most second shooters I find are early in the wedding business, thus not known very well. As for consent from the couple with second shooters, the contract should address the issue (at least mine does).

Of course I would personally but thats probably because I wouldn't even consider shooting for someone who wouldn't.