I shoot weddings on my own with two cameras. I have some big weddings coming up this summer and was wondering how much I would have to pay a 2nd cameraman. He would video during the ceremony and watch over my equipment/help out a little at the reception. I have a guy that is interested that needs to make some extra money, but I would like to get some feedback on how much to pay him for about 6 hrs. of work. He would be using my video equipment.

Thanks,
Brandon Payte

6 hours-sounds like ceremony and reception.

In my neck of the woods, when I hire someone to shot with me using my gear for that amount of time it's generally a $150 pay check for that person.
I have 3 people that I know and trust completely not to screw things up who are fine with that amount . Some may think it's low, some high but that's what I pay here in Chicago, Ft. Worth could be totally different.
Don

I pay a decent camera operator $25-$30 per hour if they use my equipment. I pay them near-normal rental fees for their equipment if we use it.

Hire them through a temp agency which means my costs are about 40% higher. But I'm covered, they're covered and I just pay the temp agency at the end of the week.

Since I frequently work for the local government, I have to have a formal relationship with the employee so that my liability and gear insurance is operative.

Thanks guys!