Angela DiPhilippo - Wow Melissa, you really did put it all out there. The information is fantastic and appreciated. I was just working on ironing out the details with a new photographer just wanting to gain experience and struggling with having her tag along, but not paying her. Thanks again for taking the time to cover the full topic!
Arielle - Michelle Meyer! What a small world!!! I went to Europe on the same trip with Michelle and I truly love her work! She is such a cool person, and we also share a very awesome friend, Chelsea Vick Cataldi. What a small world! I am so happy she is your 2nd shooter!!! :)
Heather Corporan - YOU ROCK MJ!!! The info you give is priceless : ) I actually have printed and saved a file of MJ info - someday I'll get to put it into action ; )
Charles Jones - Really well-written and useful information. Thanks!
Heather - Great FAQ. I've done second shooting several times and I actually love it, because it gives me a chance to shoot candids and detail shots, which are my favorite.
One problem I've had, though, is that the photographers I've worked with haven't given me feedback...they just disappear. It's been hard on my confidence as a photographer, because I feel like I've done everything right: dressed appropriately, acted professionally, gone out of my way to make the lead's life easier, stayed out of the way while remaining observant and attentive to any needs, taken some good and even great photos and so on. I've even ASKED for feedback, but not gotten it.
It's happened three times with three different photogs and I've been doubting myself because of it for a few years now. Bad, but, once would have been an isolated incident; three times feels like someone's trying to tell me something. What's the deal with that? Do you know? Are photogs just more apt to disappear than tell you what you're doing wrong?
Thanks for all you do for photographers! I love your site.
Rupa - Melissa, do you recommend a site that would have a good contract for when we want to bring on a 2nd for a wedding? I have a wedding contract and the last time I shot a wedding with a 2nd, I created a simple one but I really need a solid piece so it avoids any confusion and sets clear expectations as well...I think that is best for both of us in the long run. Your information is always great -- thanks for taking the time to share! : )
Gail - Well, you know, one of my 101 goals is to second shoot a wedding with you. And if it means coming to see you, well, keep me in your file, 'kay? ;)
Tova - Thank you for sharing valuable info, its really helpful!!
Malinda Rasband - I love that you did this post. I was literally just going to ask you about what your policies are for your second shooters! You must have read my mind. Thanks for all the great info!!
jeremy chou - wow, i still remember sending you an email on this a couple of months ago, thanks for the post! As somebody who's transitioning from 2nd shooting primarily into booking my own weddings, now I see what all you hot shot wedding photogs have to go through!
Definitely putting a lot of trust in your 2nd shooter to both represent your business, and getting the shots you can't get. I am going to print this out and give it to my 2nd shooters!
Grant Oakes - Great post and right on the money with the information. The only thing I could add would be to trade out second shooting with other seriously experienced photographers instead of pay. We do that a lot in Colorado.
Luke Edmonson - Add me to your list of second shooters! =)
It would be fun to go rock it together one day!