p.1 #1 · Can being a 2nd shooter be a specialized field?
I have shot 6 weddings as the main shooter, I have 2 more booked in 2026. I like to state I am a portrait shooter who does weddings not a wedding shooter who does portraits.
I watched a clip on B&W editorial style shooting and how couples are loving the look so it got me thinking to try to partner with full time wedding shooters to use my portrait experience to only shoot editorial B&W, the candid stuff, BTS, more of a “let me roam and capture the not posed shots”.
Around Boston low end 2nd shooters get $60-75Hr and experienced $100-150hr.
What do you think about offering a service that you are in the $175-200Hr premium range, that the main shooter can offer this “package” as a luxury add-on to their quotes?
I know a couple full time shooters, one had been very helpful to me. I was thinking of reaching out to her, see if I could shoot 1-2 weddings for her for no charge (portfolio builder) see how the bride/groom felt it added value to their prints.
p.1 #2 · Can being a 2nd shooter be a specialized field?
You might be able to get away with those rates for luxury wedding photographers, especially if you have the work to back it up. For mid-tier and lower photographers, that price point is going to eat up a lot of their margins since they likely won't be charging a ton for a second.
That said having you roam around and capture "candid and unposed" stuff is what I'd generally expect of a second photographer anyway. I think you'd have to be pretty exceptional to command those rates.
p.1 #3 · Can being a 2nd shooter be a specialized field?
As I read the post, I should have explained myself better. It was more of a “once you have a good catalog” is to get in that $175-200 range is the long term end goal, I wouldn’t expect that in the beginning but $100+hr would be the start.
So as not to eat into their margin, the idea is to be an add on service so if they are $6K for them, they can add me as a luxury add on for another $1000-1200ish so they don’t lose, the couple pays for the add on.
Thinking I need a couple of weddings with the style in which I would shoot as a proof of concept that the client sees the value.
p.1 #4 · Can being a 2nd shooter be a specialized field?
MichaelFrederickPhoto wrote:
I have shot 6 weddings as the main shooter, I have 2 more booked in 2026. I like to state I am a portrait shooter who does weddings not a wedding shooter who does portraits.
I watched a clip on B&W editorial style shooting and how couples are loving the look so it got me thinking to try to partner with full time wedding shooters to use my portrait experience to only shoot editorial B&W, the candid stuff, BTS, more of a “let me roam and capture the not posed shots”.
Around Boston low end 2nd shooters get $60-75Hr and experienced $100-150hr.
What do you think about offering a service that you are in the $175-200Hr premium range, that the main shooter can offer this “package” as a luxury add-on to their quotes?
I know a couple full time shooters, one had been very helpful to me. I was thinking of reaching out to her, see if I could shoot 1-2 weddings for her for no charge (portfolio builder) see how the bride/groom felt it added value to their prints.
I think you might want to take a look to see which (if any) seconds are getting paid $175-200/hr. Take a look at those getting paid $100-150/hr and ask yourself if your work is better than theirs. If you think so, you can try to sell yourself to the studios/mains who pay these seconds.
p.1 #6 · Can being a 2nd shooter be a specialized field?
I was thinking about the idea of being a second shooter myself. Then I thought about dealing with wedding parties. I just don't think I have that patience!
p.1 #7 · Can being a 2nd shooter be a specialized field?
Yes — being a specialized 2nd shooter is absolutely a real niche. If you position yourself not just as extra coverage, but as an editorial B&W storytelling / candid expert, you’re offering something distinct that most second shooters don’t.
The key is to make it clear what unique visual value you add — not just more hands, but a creative layer that enhances the lead shooter’s work. Your idea of shooting a couple weddings for free to build a portfolio and show value is smart — it turns your concept into proof rather than just a pitch.
A premium rate (e.g., $175–200/hr) can work if both the lead shooter and the couple understand the creative benefit, not just the service. Once you have a few examples showing how your editorial style elevates the wedding story, you’ll be in a much stronger position to charge more than the typical second shooter rate.
