What to pay an assistant

When you hire an assistant to help you shoot a wedding how much do you pay? Do you pay per hour or a flat rate? Do you take their experience into condideration?

Here is a recent thread that may help you out:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=392338

When I hire an assistant (usually my son), pay him 50 bucks to carry the equipment and bring me whatever I need. He doesn't do any shooting at all. If I need a second shooter, which is different than an assistant, I don't pay more than a flat rate of $100 per day or less, if I can get away with it. Everyone wants to be a wedding photographer these days, so they'll often shoot for nothing but the experience.

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.

I work with a photographer doing candids basically, get £50 flat rate....good when its a 4 hour job, bad when its a £10 hour job

It depends on a lot of factors.

Are they an assistant or a 2nd shooter or a bit of both? How much shooting are you doing? How long of a day is it? How much is your wedding package? Are you charging more to have a 2nd (or 3rd) shooter? Are you doing a lot of teaching for them?

I've started doing some 2nd shooting with a photographer that is more booked and more established than I am with my company (I'm still part time). She wanted a 2nd shooter, not an assistant...and I wouldn't have done it for less than what I'm getting paid (much more than $100 per day).

We agreed on an amount for a full day's shooting (15 hours) and she wanted to convert that amount into a per hour amount, just to make it fair for both of us if it ended up being shorter or longer than 15 hours.

*edit*
I guess you could look at it with the same mentality as photo gear. You can buy the cheap lens, but then you shouldn't complain when the images aren't great.
You can pay someone $50 to be your assistant or 2nd shooter, but don't be surprised if they don't show up or if their photos are terrible. Of course, just like camera gear...you can get a great product at a lower price if you shop around

liza wrote in post #4193143
If I need a second shooter, which is different than an assistant, I don't pay more than a flat rate of $100 per day or less, if I can get away with it. Everyone wants to be a wedding photographer these days, so they'll often shoot for nothing but the experience.

How can you guarantee the work of someone in that position though ?

I would be very nervous about letting someone loose at one of my booked weddings who I didnt know could do the job or who hadnt shot weddings before, never mind someone who I didnt know.

I guess because I always shoot as part of a pair second shooter for me doesnt mean second class photographer because we work as a team to get the shots and theres not really a primary and second we just share the day between us.

Well, this week I'm being paid as the assistant and next weekend I'm paying an assistant. As an assistant I carry/setup the equipment and am allowed to shoot. Next weekend, I will ask the same of my assistant.

I think it really depends on how well you know your assistant. As an assistant, the experience alone makes it well worth it.

Banbert wrote in post #4200051
How can you guarantee the work of someone in that position though ?

I don't guarantee their work. What they produce would be just an extra service to the couple. And I would, of course, review the work of the "applicant." If their work is crap, I won't let them shoot with me. The number of requests I receive for second shooting is unbelievable.

The standard rate among the "big pros" for a full day does seem to be around $150, a full day could mean 4 hours or 10 hours. I don't mind paying more if I know the person can shoot some specific items that I don't have to worry about.

Now with that said I'm looking at finding a couple of helpers for next year who do nothing but tote gear, setup lights and follow me around to keep up with my junk. That would pay much less if at all as I would agree to do some instruction.

I have my first assistant working with me today..........my son. I am tired after shooting a concert last night and need the help. If this works I might have to have an entourage every shoot.

It depends on a few factors but then going rate here in CA is around 175 -250 depending on,
1. Experience - is the assistant familier with MF, LF and Digital gear, film or latptop xfer.
2. Is he or she familier with lighting gear, setup and teardown same with other studio stuff.
3. is he providing any gear that you don't have access to or able to rent short notice. One other thing along that line
if you borrow gear make sure that you enter into a contract that covers yours and his gear incase of breakage theft etc.
just an FYI if he leaves his gear in your vehicle you may be on the hook for it financially if it gets stolen
4. Are they going to shoot for you, pose clients or just schlep gear and hold reflectors.
5. Are you going to provide food and transport or are they going to do it
6. Does this include any other incidental expenses incurred or are they extra. I usually like to add a ladder and other goodies if possible and am willing to pay a few bucks extra.

When Hiring a 1st assistant, you want someone with studio and lighting experience as well as someone who shares your idea and can anticipate your needs while shooting.
Make sure that you have workers comp insureance !!!!! If you don't and they are hurt on your shoot regardless of fault you can be in very deep kimchi without it.


Les