Hired a Second Photographer

Hey folks,

 

I am a professional portrait photographer, run my own business, and have a fairly decent sized portfolio. I wanted to get into wedding photography so a family member hired me to do their wedding. I have been planning this for six months, making sure I had backup equipment/accessories and working on a shot list. It's a small wedding in a public park.

 

The bride asked if I thought we should have a second photographer. I told her it wasn't necessary because the wedding was so small and she was trying to save money.

 

Anyway, about a month until the wedding, we go visit the park so I can get a feel for angles and shots. On the way out, she informs me that she hired another photographer just for the ceremony. He's not a professional, just a student, and she's paying him three times what she wants to pay me. He will be editing and enhancing his own photos.

 

I have no problem with a second shooter so I assume he's going to be there to assist me and take direction from me but that's not the case. She informs me that she hired him as an individual photographer (not a second shooter) and that he will be taking the same shots as me from a different angle. I am not in the business of having to compete with another photographer and I don't want to be tripping over him in this small venue where there isn't even an aisle to walk up or an altar.

 

Is this normal to hire a second photographer without consulting the first one and then expect them to compete for the same shots?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

M.

No, it’s not normal. What does seem to be normal are friends and relatives taking cell phone pics, often getting in the way of the hired photographer and often being in the professional candid wedding photos as guests showing more interest in their phones than the wedding.

 

Don’t know what your contract says, but if it’s legal and you feel it ethical, you could drop out. If you don’t want to do that, and I probably wouldn’t, and feel obliged to shoot the wedding, I’d consider including something in future contracts that explicitly states the hiring of a second photographer has to be agreed upon by both you and the client.

My contracts specifically state that I am the only photographer hired to photograph the wedding. If I choose to have a second photographer, they are still contracted under me. You're not a wedding photographer and your friend knows this. She's hedging her bets by brining in someone else.

 

You really don't have a lot of choices at this point. Get together with the other photographer and work out the coverage so that you aren't in each other's way. This is exactly what you would do with a second shooter anyway. Act like the pro and the student will fall in right under you.

 

In the long run, this crap is just something that you have to learn to deal with. If it's not a family member with a DSLR (maybe even better than yours) or a videographer. Wedding photography is all done on the fly and your ability to adapt is a key to your success.

Exclusivity clauses are critical and there for good reason. Your situation is not at all normal nor is it tolerable. My advice to you is to let the bride know you must be given priority positioning and that the second hired photographer is at all times to be deferential to you. If you don't, you are asking for trouble and the potential for getting into a pissing contest with the student photographer. The student is likely looking to build their portfolio and will take much of the same shots you will be, so her money is not being spent well if she doesn't make sure that student knows they are to defer to you at all times and not take the same exact photographs you're to take.

Here is my specific Exclusivity Clause paragraph, for you and anyone else who needs to add something like this to their future contracts...

 

Exclusive Provider. It is understood this Provider is the exclusive and official provider retained to perform the Services requested on this Contract, and Client hereby grants permission to the Provider to photograph their private event. Family and friends of the Client shall be permitted to photograph or video record the wedding as long as they shall not interfere with the Provider’s duties. Other wedding vendors are not permitted to take photographs which fall outside the purview of their own service, and Provider retains the right to refuse access to other vendors if Provider feels it is infringing upon Provider's duties. It is the Client's responsibility to ensure that the Provider suffers no interference from guests or other vendors. In the event that a guest or vendor interferes with Provider, Client agrees to hold Provider inculpable for any missed images caused by said interference. In the event that the aforementioned interference is egregious and prevents Provider from performing the duties implied in this contract, it is the Client's responsibility to remove the interfering party from the location. Failure to do so will nullify this contract and Provider may leave the event with no refund to Client. Client also acknowledges, understands, and agrees that any other vendor taking an inappropriate number of photographs and/or photographs outside of the purview of their own services is photographing Client's private event without legal permission and Client will assist Provider in enforcing Client's right to privacy.

It is the Bride's Wedding - Photographers, Caterers, all others are hired hands. She has the final say, over a day that is all about her, the Groom and families. I do not feel it is a good situation, but it comes down to do or don't do the job. Personally, I would try and maintain a very light touch in any discussions of photographer rank and precedence, but be clear in my mind about what would be a deal breaker.

It is the Bride's Wedding - Photographers, Caterers, all others are hired hands. She has the final say, over a day that is all about her, the Groom and families.

 

After 600 or more wedding, I have to call this one out. While it's correct on the surface, the truth is that the pro have to control their part of the work and their part of the day. After the event it will not matter to the bride, or other on Facebook, The Knot, Instagram and wherever else, that the second photographer hired interfered with the work of the professional photographer and she will not hesitate to put the word out.

 

As professionals, most of shoot 20 or more weddings a year. Most brides will only get married two of three times their entire life. While it IS her day, it's up to us to make sure that it works for her.

While it IS her day, it's up to us to make sure that it works for her.

Certainly - but never by taking over as I've seen done. A light rein and mutual understanding, much agreed on ahead of time.

The way I see it, you're a friend with no experience in weddings, so they just want "insurance" that they will get good photos. Are you getting paid for this gig?

 

During a wedding, there are many things that can get in the way. Caterers, videographers. In my last job, the videographers and I were vying for the best spot to get the bride coming down the runway. We talked about this before, and agreed to take turns. As long as you communicate, things should be fine.

 

Personally, I have no problem with another photographer coming on board, because I will take the reins as the "lead". I have the ideas, I do all the arranging of rings/shoot ideas, and I conduct myself in a professional and organized manner. I've been double-booked before, and it's the professionality, proactiveness, and endless ideas for what and how to shoot that distinguish yourself.

 

There will always be people in the way. There will always be wedding guests with smartphones or DSLRs standing up to take shots. It's your job to plan ahead and be ready for all this!

I absolutely disagree that "It's your job to plan ahead and be ready for all this!"

 

Guests with smart phones and DSLR's getting in your way are indeed part of what happens, but the Client hiring another Photographer is a deal changer, if not a contract breaker.

 

An experienced Wedding Photographer discussing shooting positions with a professional and experienced Videographer is NOT the same scenario as you (inexperienced and ignorant of the nuances of the Wedding Photograph genre) discussing - on the run and under the pressure of time - where and how you will juggle shots with a Student who (assumed) has less Portrait experience than you and (assumed) zero Business experience.Not to mention the (lack of) people Management Skills that the Studnet may have.

 

To answer your question directly ("Is this normal . . ."), no it is not typical, but I have seen it happen, more regularly now than before: as Michael has already mentioned, Exclusivity Clauses are in Contracts for a reason.

 

As for my advice - firstly you need to answer these two questions -

 

1. Do you have a written and signed contract with the Client?

2. Does it have an Exclusivity Clause?

 

I ask these two questions because, we've seen many new members (just starting in Wedding Photography - OR - a Client asking about issues that they have with their Wedding Photographer) who ask a simple question (which yours is) but it which becomes a large problem very easily because there is not a clear understanding between the Client and the Photographer whereby the understanding is predicted in a clear and logical CONTRACT . . . because there simply is NO CONTRACT. And that is really a very bad business position.

 

In any case, in my opinion this is a very large Red Flag, it is exacerbated by the fact that the Client is a relation: if I were you I would make every effort to withdraw elegantly, making as little fuss and upset as possible and do that, as soon as possible.

 

WW

Edited September 17, 2018 by William Michael

. . . I have no problem with a second shooter . . .

 

BTW and for future reference, a 'second shooter' is arranged and hired by the Lead Photographer, not the Client: to have it any other way, is setting up for potential business suicide.

 

WW

Edited September 17, 2018 by William Michael

The answers to those questions asked above will help us to determine what you can do. But, my guess is that if you had a contract and it had an exclusivity clause, you wouldn't be here asking the question.

 

Despite the advice above, withdrawing isn't a good option. If you want to move into weddings, you need this job. There will be others there who will get married in the future and most of your early jobs will come by word of mouth. You're not going to get anywhere with the reputation that backing out will give you.

 

You need to talk with the bride and find out what she told the second photographer. Then you should contact the second photographer directly and discuss plans with them. You may find that, even as a student, he or she has shot enough weddings as a second shooter to help you through the day.

 

You didn't ask for or want this but now you have to turn it to your advantage. That is what professionals do.

The reason for the advice to diplomatically withdraw from the arrangement with the least amount of fuss, is because you want to develop your Business into the Wedding Market.

 

From the facts provided, and the Red Flag as indicated in my previous, I think that it is more likely than not that there will be more mess for your business to endure AFTER the Wedding.

 

I agree that you didn't ask for this; I agree that you have to make the most of the situation and turn it into your advantage: the salient point is that "Professionals" are, by definition "in Business" and they have a Primary responsibility to protect and nurture that Business.

 

For a fledgling business (well not even a fledgling business, yet) a strategic withdrawal with the potential of minor and short term flak, is a better business choice than running the more than possible risk of having a Client who would then hold an unsatisfactory product and service which you have provided.

 

From the facts provided, a well explained withdrawal could be made and would not be 'backing out' - as a starting point and simply put:

 

The Client has not followed your initial advice in regard to the need for a second shooter and secondly she has moved to engaged one without further consultation with you. Whilst acknowledging that is her prerogative to arrange her Wedding as she sees fit, it is equally fair, reasonable and professional that, (even if only an oral agreement between the two of you exists), her requirements have now changed and are now outside of the realm of the Photography Business Services which you provide.

 

WW

Additional thought -

 

You've been presented with a range of opinions and comments: one important element on which (I believe) there would be agreement by the experienced Photo.net Wedding Photographers / Business Owners, is that you need to choose your path of action and fully commit to it, quickly.

 

Good luck with your choice in this matter and with the development of your Portrait Photography Business into the Wedding Genre.

 

WW

I'd walk

I'd walk

 

Hmm... I'd walk too... well,

swing from limb to limb...

http://bayouline.com/o2.gif

Wow . . . Pros?

 

No wonder wedding photographers have a rep for being prima donnas . . .