Fair Assistant Percentage - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/02/2007 10:53:16 AM · #1

What would you guys consider a fair percentage for a wedding photography assistant? 10%? 20%? Just trying to get an idea of what the going rate is out there. Thanks a bunch!

K

_eug

Nikon D50

05/02/2007 11:15:08 AM · #2

Percentage? I've heard folks doing hourly...

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/02/2007 11:19:44 AM · #3

Most in my area charge a daily set fee for an assistant. What that fee is varies depending on whether or not you want the assistant to shoot or just carry lights and kit and arrange groups, etc.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/02/2007 11:19:59 AM · #4

Originally posted by kdeleon:

What would you guys consider a fair percentage for a wedding photography assistant? 10%? 20%? Just trying to get an idea of what the going rate is out there. Thanks a bunch!

K

Much as the going rate for photographers will vary according to market, so will the rate for an assistant. Why would you offer their price as a percentage and what are you offering a percentage of? Profit? Package Price? or???

What are their duties? Shooting? Equipment mule and gofer?

And, of course, what experience and skills do they bring to the show? A more experienced assistant will want, and deserve, more money.

Where are you? An assistant in Los Angeles or NYC will charge more than one in the rural Midwest.

Message edited by author 2007-05-02 11:21:36.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/02/2007 11:27:39 AM · #5

Thanks for the replies guys...A friend would like me to shoot/assist him with a few weddings, and we were trying to determine how we should work out the pay. I told him I could either work for a fair percentage of the package, or I could just do a set price. We are on the coast of North Carolina as far as location goes.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

05/02/2007 11:33:48 AM · #6

Originally posted by kdeleon:

What does he normally pay assistants?

How much wedding experience do you have in comparison to them?

If you don't have much, or any experience, maybe you should consider doing it for the experience, or the experience + food.

What is his budget for paying an assistant?

When I assisted at weddings, I was a full time hourly employee, so I made about $80 shooting a wedding. As a freelance assistant, I charged anywhere from $100-$250 depending on how long the wedding/reception was.

EDIT: Looking at your portfolio, you definitely have skills with the camera and people, so don't discount yourself too much.

Message edited by author 2007-05-02 11:38:58.

05/02/2007 11:38:33 AM · #7

haha...man..you guys ask more questions than answer them ;)

I am definitely NOT doing it for the experience :) I enjoy shooting weddings, but doing it for free would be out of the question (been there..done that..got the t-shirt and the backache). He is a buddy of mine, so I will probably just take $200-$300 and run with it. Thanks for the input though.

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

05/02/2007 11:46:32 AM · #8

Also keep in mind whether you're going to do the post work on your images, or just turning over the images to him/her straight from camera. Some photographers prefer to just get the raw images from their second shooter so they can edit them in the same fashion as their own. Definitely ask for more $$ if you're editing them yourself.