When I shot my first wedding around the year 2000 I couldn’t get photographers to talk to me, let alone give me any guidance or mentoring.  My hygiene was good, and I was pretty cute at the time, so I assumed it was just the way things were.  I never even dreamed of being able to second shoot.  I put out my own money shooting weddings for people who would take the chance.  I knew I was doing ok because the people at the pro lab printing my photos, and their customers looking over my shoulder when I picked up my prints were very encouraging to me.  When I decided to pursue photography as a profession I stopped shooting for money, enrolled in courses and focused on learning technique.  I can’t imagine that if I had worked for the big studios that controlled the market in my area I would have had any access to images I created for my portfolio.  It would have been presumptuous and ridiculous to expect that.

Photography business tends to be structured differently now.  I see many independent photographers working with one or two select contracted shooters.  Before my husband and I went tag team I worked with an amazing second shooter.  She shot in the style that I required of her, did what she was told,and  handed over the cards at the end of the day.  She knew that she was not getting from me  just a paycheck, but an education.  On the job training.  When WE decided together that she had gotten what she could out of working with me she went on to work for herself photographing high school seniors.  Then she set up a website and is now building her business.  Based on the emails I have gotten from photographers around the country since I started writing for DWF I think my experience may be an ideal, but not the usual.

There are two types of second shooters.   Established photographers who second shoot with each other for fun, to develop their skills, or in an emergency. I’m not talking to you guys.  I am talking to the up and comer.  The new shooters who are second shooting to break in, and aspire to never second once they are up and running.

Second shooters:

  • You have a privilege and honor to be shooting with however you shoot with.  Even if you are WAY better than the lead photographer remember that they got the booking, you didn’t.   You are spending the day learning, shooting, eating cake, and maybe getting paid.
  • The images don’t belong to you.  They belong to the person who hired you.  Even if you process them.  Even if  your lead is kind enough to let you use them in your portfolio.  They don’t belong to you.  Someday if you do well and learn well you will make your own amazing images, and you will see how it feels to have an employee hassling you about using your images.
  • No matter how creative you think you are you owe it not only to your lead shooter, but the couple that hired them to shoot in a particular style, and particular ways that are dictated by the lead.  If you don’t like what you have to shoot with that lead photographer, then shoot for someone else.
  • Do not speak negatively about your lead photographer at all ever, unless you are protected by spousal privilege.  This isn’t the corporate world.  Everyone expects you to complain about your day job at WalMart, but bagging on a photographer that has given you an opportunity and trusted you to be there where they needed you makes you seem petty and cranky.  How many people in the future will want to hire your cranky @$& after they heard you complaining about doing the work you profess to love.  Then you are a cranky liar and a hypocrite.
  • Remember that your lead shooter isn’t stupid.  We can tell when you are in the eye rolling, why am I still here phase. If you are burnt out on your lead photographer that is 100% your problem.  If you can’t find someone else to work with, then let that cause you to reflect on why that might be.  Is it possible that the lead you work for just doesn’t have the heart to crush your dreams?
  • Don’t imagine that just second shooter images on your site are going to get you good bookings, anyway.  Potential clients will look at your site and wondering why in all of the formals the couple is facing away from the camera smiling, and why there are so many more images of the child attendants than anyone else.  And didn’t they see that same wedding on another website? Only it looked better.

Be grateful and appreciate the opportunity you have.  If you aren’t happy with it, then go change it.

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