Hey Dgrinners.... long time no see! Thought I would pose this question, though I am sure it has been covered elsewhere I couldn't easily find it..... so... how much are you all paying second shooters?

I am a full time professional portrait and wedding photographer and just advertised myself as a second shooter in my local area ( about 2 hours north of NYC) I have done many of my own weddings but wanted to make some extra income and have a little less stress as a second, but I am thinking in order to do that, I would need to be paid accordingly. I come with a great reputation, an impressive portfolio, a creative mind and an easy going personality. I will be certified in the next few months (my portfolio already passed but I still have to take the written exam) I shoot with a Nikon D3s (soon to be D4!) whoo hoo! and have the whole gamut of Nikon top of the line glass as well as all of the accessories. I would shoot, cull, then minimally edit my photos and hand them over to the primary within 5 days. I would like to retain the option of using up to 10 photos in my portfolio but would put that the photos were taken under the auspices of the primary shooter's business.

Do any of you use your peers as 2nds? Those with similar if not more experience than you?

I have already had several inquiries but want to make sure I am doing the right math ya know?

Thanks in advance for any replies and enjoy your Monday friends!

Here's a perspective from a second shooter - I've shot several weddings, and my rate has been about $100/hr.

Also, in every wedding I've second shot, I am handed memory cards to use during the wedding. When it's over, I give the cards back to the primary so they can do their own style of processing to match the photos that they have taken. Once they have copied my images to their computer, they usually allow me to copy the images to my computer so I can process in my own styple and choose which photos to use in my portfolio.

Hi Sandy!

I think someone of your caliber would expect to see somewhere in the realm of 300-550/day for our area. Just having your equipment on site is worth that alone not to mention your talent. ;) I would expect to see somewhere between 200-300 for a day and thats only because Im less experienced only having shot 30 weddings or so. If your ever looking for a second, Im local. :)

I like seeing locals here on Dgrin! :)

Holy shoot. $100/hr for second shooter. That's my rate as a primary!

In my area and based on the wedding prices that "sell", $100-200/day for second shooter is fair. Of course, your mileage may vary by location, demand, and talent pool.

OP, with your experience and gear, you'd be a huge asset on scene. I'd imagine many photogs might be a little intimidated at having a second with better gear or more experience than them.

I typically pay my 2nd $200-300 (unless it's my wife, then she takes the whole contracted amount and gives me a cut!)

Originally Posted by innershell Holy shoot. $100/hr for second shooter. That's my rate as a primary! In my area and based on the wedding prices that "sell", $100-200/day for second shooter is fair. Of course, your mileage may vary by location, demand, and talent pool.

I'm usually only there for three or four hours. Most of the time I only help out with the ceremony, formals, and a little bit of the reception. I then hand the memory cards over, take my check/money and head home...

Thank you for all of the replies! It seems there is a big range out there :-) I decided on about 60-75/hr depending on the time demands and who I would be working with. ( this is on the high end in my area but it has to be worth my while to leave the studio for a day) I was offered $700.00 by one person but not yet sure who I will be comfortable 2nd shooting with. I guess that styles and aptitude should kind of match. I really don't want to work under someone less experienced I guess is what I am getting at. But thanks again dgrinners! Much appreciated advice :-)

Probably want to have a minimum charge to at least make it worth your while to leave the house.

My guess is you need a minimum of $600. to make it worth it to leave the house.
After expenses and tax that leaves you with about $250.....or so.

Shooting on their cards and handing the shots over is the way to go. Any additional editing time you put in will bring your profit down to pretty much nothing.

For burn and shoot I pay my guy $30/h plus expenses.

Interesting....

I stopped shooting weddings solo, or as the primary, several years ago...it started to get no fun. But I may consider shooting weddings again but only as a second. Just curious...how much do you (directly to all) charge roughly per hour as a primary?

I can give you a range for Toronto market for wedding coverage:
Low budget $500-$1500
Mid budget $2000-$3500
High end $5000-$10000

Originally Posted by avangardphoto I can give you a range for Toronto market for wedding coverage: Low budget $500-$1500 Mid budget $2000-$3500 High end $5000-$10000

sounds about right.

market share

Low budget: 35%
Mid budget: 50%
High End: 15%