Second shooters for weddings. at DVinfo.net

Jimmy Conway · June 12th, 2009, 11:39 PM

For those who have dedicated second shooters that they hire for weddings, do you let them use their footage that they shoot for their own reel or portfolio? I'm not sure how the B&G would feel about having their videos on other peoples websites too.

I am thinking about hiring another dedicated videographer to up my production value instead of having the usual assistant or basic shooter. I was wondering what's the best way to conduct this?

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Scott Hayes · June 13th, 2009, 04:32 AM

dude, that is the only way to go! make them sign a work for hire agreement and you are good to go. find good shooters, pay them well and get consistent stuff.

Lukas Siewior · June 13th, 2009, 05:54 AM

Agree. It's very hard to find good 2nd shooter since he/she has to think like you and almost read your mind, and on top of that has to shoot good video. That's why it might be a painful process before you find the one. So treat him well and pay fair price - for the same reason 2 camera videos are that much more expensive. But you'll see how easier it is for you later in post.

Ryan Morey · June 13th, 2009, 07:19 PM

Hey Jimmy,

The only way to go with a second shooter is to put together a contract for them to sign stating that the footage is the property of you/your studio,that they can't open a video business with in a certain mileage of your studio,etc.Obviously with better wording.Our contract is quite specific as to rights and obligations that the second shooter need to fulfill when shooting with our company.Remember YOUR reputation is riding on this second shooter.Anything he or she does will directly reflect on your business.Be careful!

Ryan

Bruce Patterson · June 14th, 2009, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Conway

For those who have dedicated second shooters that they hire for weddings, do you let them use their footage that they shoot for their own reel or portfolio? I'm not sure how the B&G would feel about having their videos on other peoples websites too.

I am thinking about hiring another dedicated videographer to up my production value instead of having the usual assistant or basic shooter. I was wondering what's the best way to conduct this?

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I would definitely NOT let my 2nd shooters use footage they shoot while under my company name for their own portfolio. By doing so, you're only fueling someone else's business unnecessarily and when they branch out on their own could definitely lead to lost revenue on your end. If they want to build their own portfolio, I've always said they should start by doing smaller shoots like engagement shoots - that they've organized on their own.

Have them sign a non-competition agreement and you should be fine.

Jimmy Conway · June 14th, 2009, 04:09 AM

That's what I was thinking but I felt like I was being shady. I'm guessing the only way to keep your good 2nd shooters is to keep the pay really good huh? Thanks for everyone's advice.

Michael Ojjeh · June 14th, 2009, 08:11 AM

You can also let him link to your website to watch some highlights that he worked on with you, this way it is still your company name that is shown. That could even bring you more business :)

Susanto Widjaja · June 16th, 2009, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Ojjeh

You can also let him link to your website to watch some highlights that he worked on with you, this way it is still your company name that is shown. That could even bring you more business :)

Great idea!

:)

Santo

Scott Shama · June 17th, 2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lukas Siewior

So treat him well and pay fair price - for the same reason 2 camera videos are that much more expensive. But you'll see how easier it is for you later in post.

So... what is a ball park fair price for a 2nd shooter? I mainly need someone to man a tripod cam during the ceremony, toasts and help set up and break down the tripods and cameras...

Any suggestions for compensation?

Thanks,
Scott

Susanto Widjaja · June 17th, 2009, 10:46 PM

LESS IS MORE!!!

hahaha.. not in a bad way though..

I just think that you should not give a lot in the earlier jobs.. because if you already give a lot.. then you have nothing else to reward them for their good job.

even worse, you'll feel disadvantaged if you paid them good money and they don't do their job properly.

Santo

June 12th, 2009, 11:39 PM	#1
Jimmy Conway Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 50	Second shooters for weddings. For those who have dedicated second shooters that they hire for weddings, do you let them use their footage that they shoot for their own reel or portfolio? I'm not sure how the B&G would feel about having their videos on other peoples websites too. I am thinking about hiring another dedicated videographer to up my production value instead of having the usual assistant or basic shooter. I was wondering what's the best way to conduct this? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

June 13th, 2009, 07:19 PM	#4
Ryan Morey Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wildwood Crest, NJ Posts: 140	Hey Jimmy, The only way to go with a second shooter is to put together a contract for them to sign stating that the footage is the property of you/your studio,that they can't open a video business with in a certain mileage of your studio,etc.Obviously with better wording.Our contract is quite specific as to rights and obligations that the second shooter need to fulfill when shooting with our company.Remember YOUR reputation is riding on this second shooter.Anything he or she does will directly reflect on your business.Be careful! Ryan __________________ www.rhmphotography.com What you talkin bout Willis?

June 14th, 2009, 08:11 AM	#7
Michael Ojjeh Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 338	You can also let him link to your website to watch some highlights that he worked on with you, this way it is still your company name that is shown. That could even bring you more business :) __________________ Dragonfly Production http://www.dragonflyproduction.net/ http://www.vimeo.com/user432181

June 17th, 2009, 10:46 PM	#10
Susanto Widjaja Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 622	LESS IS MORE!!! hahaha.. not in a bad way though.. I just think that you should not give a lot in the earlier jobs.. because if you already give a lot.. then you have nothing else to reward them for their good job. even worse, you'll feel disadvantaged if you paid them good money and they don't do their job properly. Santo __________________ If a picture is worth a thousand words, what about motion picture? website: www.papercranes.com.au \| blog: www.weddingvideosydney.net

June 13th, 2009, 04:32 AM	#2
Scott Hayes Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 692	dude, that is the only way to go! make them sign a work for hire agreement and you are good to go. find good shooters, pay them well and get consistent stuff.

June 13th, 2009, 05:54 AM	#3
Lukas Siewior Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lyndhurst, NJ, USA Posts: 408	Agree. It's very hard to find good 2nd shooter since he/she has to think like you and almost read your mind, and on top of that has to shoot good video. That's why it might be a painful process before you find the one. So treat him well and pay fair price - for the same reason 2 camera videos are that much more expensive. But you'll see how easier it is for you later in post.

June 14th, 2009, 04:09 AM	#6
Jimmy Conway Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 50	That's what I was thinking but I felt like I was being shady. I'm guessing the only way to keep your good 2nd shooters is to keep the pay really good huh? Thanks for everyone's advice.