Shadow Photographer

<p>Hi,<br>

I have been approached by someone who is wanting to get into wedding photography. <br>

She's asked me if she can be a shadow photographer at an event or wedding that Ill be doing so she can prepare herself a little better with her first wedding and if she can take photos as well to practice.<br /><br>

I asked her what she struggles with and she replied...Getting everyone together and getting them to do the right poses.<br /><br>

I don't have a problem with this except for the part of her taking her own photos. I would not want her to post anything or get in my way.<br>

I was thinking more of having her carry things and just watch how I get everyone together and how I pose them. <br /><br>

Has anyone done this before and is it a good or bad idea? I totally understand where shes coming from and everyone needs to start somewhere.<br /><br>

<br>

</p>

Yes, I've had a number of trainees over the years, although I am basically done with weddings for a few years now except

for some emergency coverage. You have to set the parameters and be in control of what you allow and don't allow. There

could be a liability factor too if that person is there and doesn't have insurance, your insurance might not cover them or if

they create a liable situation, which of course is rare but still a possibility.

<blockquote>

<p>"Has anyone done this before and is it a good or bad idea? I totally understand where shes coming from and everyone needs to start somewhere."</p>

</blockquote>

<p>It is a good idea.</p>

<p>I've mentored budding Photographers at various Events and also Wedding Coverages.</p>

<p>My view is that you, (i.e. The Mentor), must to be comfortable and convinced that they (i.e. The Mentee) will not adversely affect the outcomes of the job or your business.</p>

<p>In this regard, I have never taken an unknown entity to a Wedding that I covered: my view is that any person wanting in-situ and pro bono guidance and experience from me and my business, had to first at least show that they would not be a liability, so we began with a few Studio Jobs and small Events.</p>

<p>However, I sadly also note some of the Legislation where I reside, changed a few years ago and as a result my Company will no longer offer on site Mentoring because the Premium for appropriate Insurance Coverage exceeds my generosity and to have anyone under my care on site without the appropriate insurance, is indeed, a liability to me. I mention this, not as a personal whinge, but to make you aware that you should make yourself aware of all possible liabilities to which your generosity may expose you.</p>

<p>WW</p>

<p>Post Script: Dave was writing as I was writing - I also agree with what Dave wrote: i.e. you have to be prescriptive and in control of what is allowed and not allowed.<br>

So in this regard, if you are comfortable with the general idea, but not comfortable with this person taking Photographs, then surely they will learn a lot from shadowing you and noting how you go about your work AND <strong><em>maybe</em></strong> they can assist you in helping arranging the groups and the poses for the Formal Shots if you are comfortable with that: but not take any images themselves.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I've done it. For me, anyway, it was a very bad idea.</p>

<p>I did it at one of my early weddings. I'd been shooting other vaguely similar events (First Communions, Confirmations, graduations) for several years but wedding photography is a whole 'nother ball game and I was hardly ready to be a role model. I agreed because the photographer was a friend of the bride's and had approached her initially. She said it was okay with her if it was okay with me, so he contacted me. We spoke for a bit, and I gave him my terms, which were simple: I basically didn't want to see him and I didn't want him getting in my way. I also asked him to show up at the rehearsal so we could meet and talk about things a little more carefully. He agreed to these simple conditions.</p>

<p>And then it fell apart. He didn't show up for the rehearsal, so I met him at the wedding. Again and again, he did get in my way. During the group shots after the wedding he actually pulled the bride off to the side to do some portraits. That would be fine, in theory, and I suspect that he had a chance to get a couple of good shots. But I had to go to him — while everybody was standing around waiting for the next shot to be set up — and demand my bride back. Things went downhill at the reception, where — contrary to my instructions — he showed up again and again in my photos.</p>

<p>The main lesson here isn't <em>don't let somebody shadow you.</em> It's <em>take control and don't lose it. </em>I'm quite willing to say that that the big problem in my case wasn't the other photographer — it was me and my relative lack of experience. I learned a couple of lessons and it never happened again.</p>

<p>I will add that you don't have to let the shadow take photos. I've had the fun and privilege of assisting star photographers from time to time. I'm happy to be an assistant: holding lights, reflectors, setting up tripods, carrying bags, etc. I've always learned a TON just from watching. </p>

<p>I don't think you want a competitor — or a distraction. You don't want to waste a single minute having to jerk somebody else's chain. If they're willing to carry your bags, help with crowd control, arrange the bride's dress, etc., that can be useful and should be educational for them as well. What I've learned is that <em>shooting is the easiest part</em> of the wedding photographer's job.</p>

<p>My ha'penny thoughts.</p>

<p>Will</p>

<p>William, I hear your message. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I've made similar errors. From about 2002 until a few years ago my feeder of Mentees were my Tutor Students. My first "Student Mentee" was a fellow who was really keen to assist. And also a sports fanatic and very knowledgeable about various sports. I gave him three chances but he never could arrive at a sports field at the prescribed time. It was high school sports, not great pressure so not as big a deal as a Wedding and I wasn't all that distracted when he did arrive late, but it did cause me <strong><em>unnecessary</em></strong> pressure. That experience made me form my "one start rule" for matters like: arriving on time; following important and precise directives; . . . etc. (like in swimming competitions - only one chance, if they stuff it up they are disqualified.) - and like in swimming there first chance to perform is in the heats and not the big race (i.e. not a Wedding, first up).<br>

WW<br>

</p>

 

Well my advice is NO!

 

Up until about 4 or 5 years ago I'd let wanna be photographers tag along. Not anymore. No way! The reason is a

lot of my fellow professional photographers, gifted photographers aren't getting booked and have closed their

studio's. They are lucky to book 20 to 30 weddings a year, so most of the time they'd be happy to work with me.

 

Long story short, if I have a bigger wedding to do, over 150 guests or so, I hire them and pay them at least $75

per hour. Usually more, depending on the contract; the amount of money the wedding couple is paying. They are

happy because we have a lot of fun and it's easier work and less stress. They walk away with around $600 and I

get the very best professional photo's from them. They already know how to set up multiple lighting and off

camera flash units. Using several radio slaves isn't a problem. These guys are good. Most of the time you can't tell which photographer took the shot. We shoot pretty much the same.

 

I don't want to train anyone. I want my life to be easier by having a true pro working with me. It's much more fun! Training someone kind of sucks, because you train them for about 6 months to a year and you never see them again.

<p>What does a person learn from shadowing other than how to press the button hundreds of times in a day?</p>

<p>Possibly a great deal, depending upon, but not limited to: how observant they are; what questions they ask; the timing of those questions; and the quality of the answers to those questions.</p>

<p>WW</p>

Thank you so much for all your comments.

I still haven't decided what to do yet.