Second Shooter

Re: Second Shooter

• glassslippergirl

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  The photography studio we booked with comes with two photographers which kind of sold me.
  I have seen them range from 400 to 1k or more depending on who you go with. I also found out that some places have in their contract that there can be no second photographer there unless they are from their studio so make sure that you ask who you have booked how they feel about a second shooter and if it is allowed.
  Laurissa

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• clearheavens member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  $75 - $100/hr for a minimum of 4 hours for a second shooter is about average to me.  This is for photographers whose packages start at around $1.5k.

  
  

  ETA: I did some additional research because I was curious.  It appears that the higher-end photographers whose packages start at $3k will charge $150-300/hr for a second shooter.  It's likely they will have a minimum as well.

  
  
  

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• ashhorton27 member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  Not sure a second photographer was included in our package deal?

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• tedfordk

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  I'm paying $300 for a second shooter that will be there for 8 hrs.

  

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• torbecgm

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  thanks. I think we are paying too much now!

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• Jeff Schaefer member

  

  February 2011 edited December 2011

  The truth is, photographers want their second photographer there to help with gear, set up poses and groups, fluff the dress, move the lights, provide a second set of eyes, add a mix of styles, and provide more coverage and different perspectives. The 2nds have many, many benefits to the photographer and to the bride.
  
  In any package, the 2nd photographer's rate is just an arbitray number. We, as photographers know what we need to charge to remain profitable. My a-la-cart pricelist has a rate for the 2nd photog, but they can't be taken out of any of the packages.
  
  In other words, it wouldn't matter if the photographer charges more for the principle and less for the 2nd, or vice versa.  In the end, the package price is what they must charge, and splitting hairs about what percentage is going to each feature doesn't matter.
  
  However, if the photographer's pricing is strictly a-la-carte and the 2nd is truly optional, then I guess it makes sense to consider the 2nd's rate. (I doubt any experienced photographer that does a-la-cart pricing would charge significantly for the 2nd.  They provide too much benefit to not have.)
  
  I hope this helps.

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