You’ve been shooting adamantly for a while now. All your friends like your photography, you have an impressive amount of gear (at least in your eyes), and you really really really want to get to know that pro down the street.
2nd shooting is a great way to gain experience, develop some portfolio, and establish a relationship with a more experienced photographer. At the same time, there are barriers to entry and you’re going to want to do it right. Here are some basic tips on how to get in the 2nd shooter clique and keep progressing.
1.) Everyone likes free
You gotta pay your dues right? This is a relatively risk-free way for a pro photographer to get to know your personality and capabilities. You may not have the gear to be a full fledged 2nd shooter quite yet, but if you have a strong back and a nice outfit you can assist by hauling gear. Not that glamorous but you’ll absorb a lot of information simply through osmosis and know what direction you need to go in to be a paid 2nd.
2.) Invest in Fast Glass AKA “Ditch the Kit”
One of the first questions that someone is going to ask you is: what kind of gear do you have? The more experienced the pro is, the higher the bar will be for acceptable gear. Most pros will want you to have 2 pro bodies, a standard f/2.8, a telephoto f/2.8, and a flash (sometimes 2). If you’re having trouble affording this gear right off the bat, you can always go the third party route (Sigma, Tamron) but if you invest in your camera brand’s lenses it’ll save you in the long run. Also, there’s no reason to not pick up a fast 50mm f/1.8 for around $100.
3.) You don’t always have to go for the most popular guy on the block!
Yes, I know you’ve been watching Mr. or Mrs. town photographer for a while and you scream like a girl at a Beatles concert when you see him/her, but guess what! That photographer probably has at least two 2nd shooters at his/her disposal and a list of 2nd’s in case of emergency. Best bet is to talk to the new young blood that’s in the process of growing and building. They won’t be as astringent and the pay should be about the same.
Editors Note: The DWF forums have a DWF Start membership level for those of you just starting out that includes the ability to use the DWF classifieds sections to find assistant/intern/second shooter positions. Trials are FREE.
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1 Comment at "So You Want to be a 2nd Shooter?"
[...] April 2, 2010 by mollietobiasphotography This is a good primer on what to expect when you want to be a second shooter. [...]
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