At what point do you pick up 2nd shooter for wedding gigs?

7 years 7 months ago #493734 by Chris Briggs
I've been meaning to ask, when you have larger photography gigs, at what point do you hire another shooter?  

50 guest, 100, 200... 300..?  


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7 years 7 months ago - 7 years 7 months ago #493762 by effron
I shot my first wedding alone, because I was second shooter and the first photographer didn't get there. I did events another eight, maybe nine years and NEVER did even small ones solo again.
YMMV....
Edit for after thought....That was forty years ago, film era if it matters,

Why so serious?
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7 years 7 months ago #493865 by Lavender Photo
I think there are a few variables that go into whether or not you bring in a second shooter. For me it depends on what exactly the client is looking for as well as the size of the wedding/reception. For instance, I once had a client that had a smaller wedding, but the location of the ceremony was a very picturesque location on some cliffs by the coast of Maine. I had a second shooter with me who focused on getting some wider shots of the setting while I focused on the ceremony itself and the finer details. Likewise, if I'm working a larger gig that just wants some candid shots from the reception, I'm generally able to handle it on my own.

To answer your question, I don't think there's a magic number or set of circumstances. It all depends on your comfort level - some people like the added security of a second shooter, while others prefer to work independently. 


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7 years 7 months ago #493869 by albinpix
I prefer a second shooter if I'm doing anything over 75 guests - good to have reinforcements just in case.


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7 years 7 months ago #493872 by Frisco
Completely depends on size of the gig both budget wise and number of attendees.  

Nikon 18-55mm VR, Nikon 70-200mm VRII f/2.8, Nikon 50mm f/1.8, Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye, Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8, SB-700 & SB-800
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7 years 7 months ago #493934 by Patrick G

Frisco wrote: Completely depends on size of the gig both budget wise and number of attendees.  



+1  as needed 


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7 years 7 months ago #494075 by Gus
I'm not a wedding photographer, but it seems to me there are more variables than the number of people there that should dictate whether a second shooter is needed - like the types or number of photos the clients want, not to mention the budget.


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7 years 7 months ago #494169 by Miss Polly
+1 budget and number of people at wedding.  In that order.  


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