Second-Shooter for Weddings

[no.absolutes]

Ok, so I have been trying to dabble into wedding photography... mainly just getting with folks about being their second shooter. I just got an offer which would basically ONLY cover my travel... I would get $25 each way for travel and high resolution photos with his watermark, or low resolution photos without his watermark. Also, I would not be able to use the same images on my site as his. So... where is my benefit? His lowest package including a second photographer is nearly 4k... shouldn't he be able to pay me something?! How can I tactfully email back and suggest that?

[myang07]

Wait...he's only paying you for your "travel" time? Where's the compensation for the actual work you'll be doing (taking and editing the photos)? Hmmm...tough call...

[no.absolutes]

Originally Posted by myang07

Wait...he's only paying you for your "travel" time? Where's the compensation for the actual work you'll be doing (taking and editing the photos)? Hmmm...tough call...

Exactly! Other than "experience" I'm not getting anything at all. Plus I don't think he even wants me to edit because he mentioned using his camera cards... I think I must respectfully decline.

[CanonRebelz]

I myself am trying to find someone to be a second shooter for - but just for experience so I can be prepared. I guess if you REALLY want the $, then tell him. I'd be happy just to get the experience though lol.

[candleman]

lol

i'd never go for that ....

at the very least you should get an hourly rate, and rights to use the images on your website.
maybe you could say you will postpone putting them up for 3 months.

[no.absolutes]

Originally Posted by candleman

lol

i'd never go for that ....

at the very least you should get an hourly rate, and rights to use the images on your website.
maybe you could say you will postpone putting them up for 3 months.

I really like that suggestion... I also am not sure if I would be able to edit the photos that I take? To be completely honest, I'd be embarrassed to share an unfinished product with another photographer lol Plus how would I know which photos I took if I took them on his SD card? I don't know... maybe I am valuing my work too much?

[candleman]

thats between him and you who processes them.
99% chance (IMHO) he will want to process them in his style and thats why he wants the credit.

you could say you will hand over the originals for him to process, but you keep a copy of the originals and process them your way for your own site.

use your own camera, your own SD card, and go to the office with him after the event and do an upload.

[CanonRebelz]

Originally Posted by candleman

thats between him and you who processes them.
99% chance (IMHO) he will want to process them in his style and thats why he wants the credit.

you could say you will hand over the originals for him to process, but you keep a copy of the originals and process them your way for your own site.

use your own camera, your own SD card, and go to the office with him after the event and do an upload.

IMHO that sounds fair..

You know me...I encourage people to do everything for any price...

...but his offer is really bad.

I don't mind working for cheap/free, but this sounds like a lose/lose situation. You don't get to keep the photos, and it sounds like you won't even be able to review the photos afterwards (which is really how you learn). At this point, you are gaining nothing, not even experience.

No money, no experience, no portfolio....one of the few times I'd tell someone "no".

[no.absolutes]

For what he charges for weddings, also noting that packages including a second shooter are considerably higher, I think he could afford to pay me SOMETHING!