Wedding Photography second shooter needed / availa

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/07/2008 02:48:39 PM · #1

I have been hired by a couple to do their wedding in June and I am looking for someone local to come along as a second shooter / helper. I am also available to go along as a free second shooter for any weddings fairly local.

I need to decide within the next 2 weeks so that we can set up a meeting with the couple.

I met with them about 5 weeks ago, showed them some of my prints and did a laptop presentation of my photos. I was very upfront with them about my lack of experience. I even gave them two names for local photographers whose work I admire and who have much more experience. They talked to several people, but still came back to me. They said they liked my photography style. They are a very nice couple, but I did not know them before getting this referral from a former boss of mine.

It is a traditional church wedding (Catholic) and reception at a reception center. A couple of things prompted me to accept this assignment. First, they are planning to see each other prior to the ceremony and do outside shots for the majority of the group / couple shots. Of course, I will have a backup plan for weather, but I feel more comfortable doing outside shots.

Second, the wedding is not until the end of June - June 28. I feel like that gives me adaquate time to prepare and update my equipment. I will be checking out all the locations weeks before the wedding and I plan to purchase a new camera, one new lens and probably rent one longer fast lens for the occassion. I will also have some new lighting. All of this will be at least two months prior to the event.

The couple and I both want to have another photographer along for back of the church shots, candids, and helping with the outside group shots. I would do the file editing on all the shots to have flow and continuity for the photographs. I have never shot in raw, but will be exploring that option as I prepare. Right now I'm planning on shooting in jpg. Your shots would be usable for your portfolio.

If anyone is interested, please send me an email along with either a link to some wedding shots you've done, or attach some shots with the email. Also let me know how much you would charge to help for the day. AND...if anyone does have a wedding within about 100 miles of here that I can help with, send me a pm and I'll try to be available!

Thanks!

Judy

jeger

Canon EOS-5D

01/07/2008 02:53:08 PM · #2

For clarity, is this in Ohio?

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

01/07/2008 03:03:23 PM · #3

Originally posted by jeger:

For clarity, is this in Ohio?

Sorry...should have put the location!

Yes, the wedding is in the western suburbs of Cincinnati Ohio. I live just north of Cincinnati.

Prof_Fate

01/07/2008 06:22:47 PM · #4

Got a date for the wedding?
Are you paying or not? A "lot" or just gas and lunch...inquiring minds want to know!

Cinci is a bit farther than I'd like to travel and right now is the meat of the booking season (met wtih a bride over the weekend and got 2 more this week - and the bridal shows haven't even begun!)

But I would like to second shoot - no pressure, more artsy possibilities...

Got any more details on the wedding itself? Nice venues or something butt ugly (aka firehall). Pretty bride and groom or well, old or overheight... Small bridal party or something large?

I'd be more inclined to come for a pretty couple with lots of time at a pretty venue rather than, well, something else.

Creature

Nikon D70s

01/07/2008 07:29:45 PM · #5

^ Yeah, I might be willing to drive out from DC and 2nd for you if it will be a nice church and venue. I'm not that familiar with most of the west-side neighborhoods but they weren't that great when I lived in Cincy.

I'm a Nikon guy though, so you'd have to mix some NEFs into your workflow. ;-)

01/07/2008 10:00:20 PM · #6

The date was in the first post...June 28. It is a traditional church wedding, 5 attendants each. The church is a Catholic church I'm not familiar with (yet), located in Bridgetown - so I suspect it will offer some nice church shots. Looks like a fairly modern church - not old. No flash duing the ceremony, but I probably wouldn't use one anyway. Below are links to both facilities.

I am charging them a $300 deposit, plus they will purchase all prints through me. The $300 deposit will pay for my time plus 4x6 watermarked proofs in a small album, plus watermarked online proofs. based on my print prices, and talking with the couple, I expect no less than an additional $400 from print purchases.

I am willing to pay a small amount for a second shooter - probably no more than $150 tops. The other option would be for someone to do it for free, and I would pass along all print purchase profits from your specific shots to you. My print prices for the couple are as follows:

4x6 ($4.00) 5x7 ($9.00) 8x10 ($20.00) 11x14 ($30.00) 11x14 special collage ($40.00)

I also offer them the CD with high res 4x6 shots for $400. If they want any larger files added to the CD it is an additional $10 per file. They may purchase the CD for $200 with a minumum $300 print purchase.

If you choose the option to be paid by the print, we would have to discuss how that would work with a CD purchase.

I would really prefer someone who can meet with myself and the couple at least once before the wedding - ideally before the end of this month.

It is an evening wedding, with preceremony shots earlier in the afternoon. Not set in stone yet, but I would expect needing someone from about 3:00 pm until around 10:00 pm.

The couple are average looking. I think she will be pretty photogenic, with a nice smile. IMOSHO, neither are bad looking, but neither are models. Both caucasion with dark hair. Bride a bit on the heavy side, but wears it well. Groom stocky.

I hope all this info helps!

LInk to the church

Link to the reception hall

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/08/2008 07:16:15 AM · #7

morning bump

timfythetoo

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

01/08/2008 07:33:23 AM · #8

I have never shot a wedding before but might be interested if you were willing to have a total noob. I need to talk with Aimee about it - its possible you could get 2 for 1.

timfythetoo

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

01/08/2008 07:50:14 AM · #9

Sent a PM.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

01/08/2008 08:07:24 AM · #10

First let me say that you sound like you're VERY prepared for this and I've no doubt that the bride and groom will be delighted with the results! If they've talked to others and still come back to you - well that says a lot. You'll do just fine!

And may I add that I'm a bit appalled by the "I'll shoot if they're pretty" bit. Not everyone is model-worthy and yet they get married and want pictures as much as the Beautiful People.

Prof_Fate

01/08/2008 08:57:32 AM · #11

Originally posted by Melethia:

Yep. Pay me the 6 hours travel time and $25/hour and I'll second shoot pigs in the mud having fun.
You want me to spend around 14 hours (assuming an 6 hour wedding day, plus drdive time) for free or cheap (gas and lunch) then why would I do it? For my amusement/practice, or for portfolio material.

Ahh, portoflio material might be the reason.

I've already shot a 45 year old people getting married in a firehall wiht their 14 year old kids as the bridal party. I know what that looks like, and it does not look like my target market (mid 20's couple willing to spend $4000 - 12 (adult) attendants, get ready at a nice place (not the church basement), 100 year old photogenic church or country club, reception at a country club or nice hotel, lots of nice, fresh flowers (as opposed to the fake Michael's flowers), stretch limo (as opposed to the Nissan Titan pickup).

The challenge is always to make a less than pretty couple with the limited budget and second tier venue and look like they are the 'beautiful people' that spent $30,000 on their wedding. So to some degree I'm interested.

But in reality, if you're asking someone to work 14 hours for $80 (no price has been discussed) you should ask yourself why would a person want to do that? And is there sufficient motivation for them to do their job, and do it well.

As to a second shooter - what do you want them for? To tote and carry and follow directions is an assistant. To go take the groomsmen and go shoot them, to shoot independently at the ceremony (and not be using the same lens as you, and not be in you shot in the BG, etc), take second shots during the formals, detail shots all day long, takes someone with some knowledge and experience, and the proper gear (you can't be second shooting the formals in the church and using flash - it will mess up the main photog and distract the subjects. that is not the purpose of the side shots a second shooter takes- so a long, fast lens is needed, for examnple)

LeeD

Canon EOS-30D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

01/08/2008 09:04:45 AM · #12

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

Ahh, portoflio material might be the reason.

But in reality, if you're asking someone to work 14 hours for $80 (no price has been discussed) you should ask yourself why would a person want to do that? And is there sufficient motivation for them to do their job, and do it well.

Maybe a bit harsh... but I can't argue the reasoning and would have to agree. Nobody wants to do a free bit for someone they don't know and not get anything out of it.

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

01/08/2008 10:02:07 AM · #13

actually, price is discussed. and she is not asking you to drive halfway across country to do it for free. dang, guys.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/08/2008 10:16:41 AM · #14

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

Originally posted by Melethia:
First let me say that you sound like you're VERY prepared for this and I've no doubt that the bride and groom will be delighted with the results! If they've talked to others and still come back to you - well that says a lot. You'll do just fine!

And may I add that I'm a bit appalled by the "I'll shoot if they're pretty" bit. Not everyone is model-worthy and yet they get married and want pictures as much as the Beautiful People.

Yep. Pay me the 6 hours travel time and $25/hour and I'll second shoot pigs in the mud having fun.
You want me to spend around 14 hours (assuming an 6 hour wedding day, plus drdive time) for free or cheap (gas and lunch) then why would I do it? For my amusement/practice, or for portfolio material.

Ahh, portoflio material might be the reason.

I've already shot a 45 year old people getting married in a firehall wiht their 14 year old kids as the bridal party. I know what that looks like, and it does not look like my target market (mid 20's couple willing to spend $4000 - 12 (adult) attendants, get ready at a nice place (not the church basement), 100 year old photogenic church or country club, reception at a country club or nice hotel, lots of nice, fresh flowers (as opposed to the fake Michael's flowers), stretch limo (as opposed to the Nissan Titan pickup).

The challenge is always to make a less than pretty couple with the limited budget and second tier venue and look like they are the 'beautiful people' that spent $30,000 on their wedding. So to some degree I'm interested.

But in reality, if you're asking someone to work 14 hours for $80 (no price has been discussed) you should ask yourself why would a person want to do that? And is there sufficient motivation for them to do their job, and do it well.

As to a second shooter - what do you want them for? To tote and carry and follow directions is an assistant. To go take the groomsmen and go shoot them, to shoot independently at the ceremony (and not be using the same lens as you, and not be in you shot in the BG, etc), take second shots during the formals, detail shots all day long, takes someone with some knowledge and experience, and the proper gear (you can't be second shooting the formals in the church and using flash - it will mess up the main photog and distract the subjects. that is not the purpose of the side shots a second shooter takes- so a long, fast lens is needed, for examnple)

If you don't want to do it, then don't do it. Just quit whining about it.

Sheesh.

NVPhoto

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/08/2008 01:02:55 PM · #15

she said she would offer $150 tops, if that is OK with someone than do it. I think its a pretty genuine offer to someone who hasn't done a wedding before and is in the area.

Jpochard, when the time comes, send me a PM, I will rent you a great wedding rig for a good price. Maybe a 24-70 2.8L, an 85 1.2L, a 70-200 2.8L and a canon speedlite II. You know the venue so we can mix and match focal lengths.
//www.rentphotostuff.com