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Savvy July 2021

Any photographers in here that might help with this?

Ingrid, on May 19, 2021 at 10:44 AM Posted in Community Conversations 0 8

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So I asked a girl I know if she could take pictures on our wedding day, she started taking pictures not long ago and it would be her first wedding. I have seen her work and it looks nice, so we (my fiancé and I) don't really mind that she hasn't done any weddings before, we will have a friend doing the video (he is also a photographer/videographer), and I thought that if she needed help with anything (which I don't think she will) she could just ask that friend.

Anyways, I texted her yesterday with the timeline of the wedding, that we made with the wedding coordinator not long ago. I also asked her how much she would be charging us and how many pictures would we be receiving. She answered all excited about the timeline and thanking me for letting her take the pictures etc. and then she said that she will be bringing another guy who also takes pictures cause he wants to help out so she doesn't miss any moments, and they will be talking about prices this weekend and she will let me know. This guy is also kind of new at taking pictures, I checked out his Instagram and he takes decent pictures, it would also be his first wedding so I'm sure he would also want to use the wedding pictures to build his portfolio as well. We don't mind if he does. What I wasn't a fan of is that they didn't even ask if he could take pictures, she just told me he was coming, I also didn't quite like that she said they would BOTH discuss prices and she would let me know, as if he expects money from a wedding that he wasn't even asked to do.

Even though they are both new at this and I'm not expecting them to be super professional at this, I still think it would've been nice if she asked if she could bring a helper, and ask if he could use the pictures to grow his portfolio as well. Like I said, we don't mind those two, but we are thinking on texting her about the money, and telling her that we will only be paying her since she is the one we reached out to and she is the one we have been in contact with this whole time, not him. If she wants to share her money with him once we pay her that's fine, it'll be her money she can do whatever. But we will only be paying her.

What do you guys think? Am I overthinking or over reacting? Is it wrong for us to think of only paying her?

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8 Comments

Latest activity by Ingrid, on May 19, 2021 at 3:38 PM

Super April 2021
Tiger Bride · on May 19, 2021 at 10:55 AM
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Honestly I would see what the $ amount they come back with is, and go from there. A second shooter is always a good thing and I don't think it really matters if you pay her or him as long as you like the work and it's within your budget. Ideally you'd have had a budget in mind when you contacted her, to avoid the awkwardness of having agreed to hire someone and then potentially having to back out later.

You should absolutely, 100% have a contract for all your vendors, though.
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Super July 2020
Cool · on May 19, 2021 at 11:00 AM
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This is what comes with the territory of not working with a professional. I think you should have suggested an amount when she did not provide one, or your budget at least. As far as paying both of them, yes, you have to pay them both for their work. Sounds like you should just go with a pro.
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Master September 2019
Sarah · on May 19, 2021 at 11:02 AM
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Usually when you choose a photographer, you don’t get to choose who their second shooter is. Typically you pay the main photographer and they’ll pay the second shooter whatever they’ve agreed upon. I’d wait to see what she comes back with a cost and then discuss it. I’d also make sure once you agree to a cost, get a written contract with her.
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Super May 2021
Stacey · on May 19, 2021 at 11:08 AM
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Get.A.Contract. You need to make sure you are covering yourself, and it needs to outline the agreed upon fees, payment terms (i.e. when money is due), turnaround time for final product, your rights to own and use the photos, what rights you give them to use and promote your photos, duration of how long she will provide service (# of hours), estimated # of photos, etc. Please, please protect yourself and get everything in writing in a legally binding contract.
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VIP January 2019
Maggie · on May 19, 2021 at 12:14 PM
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I feel like this whole situation could be summed up with a "you get what you pay for." Asking a friend to work your wedding always comes with risks, which you are now realizing. The good news is that you don't have a contract with this friend, so you can still decide to go with a professional instead.
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Expert March 2023
Catherine · on May 19, 2021 at 1:42 PM
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I think you’re overreacting a little. Most professionals charge quite a bit of money for a second shooter, so you could potentially get this friend of hers for relatively cheap. I’m guessing you have a budget in mind, and when she comes back with prices, you’ll know if that’s in your budget or not. You should pay both of them for their services but you won’t be paying over what your set budget was total for photography and you’ll hopefully get twice the amount from it. Get a contract definitely.
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Expert September 2022
Courtney · on May 19, 2021 at 2:20 PM
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I agree that you're overreacting. I'd be thrilled to get a second shooter, but I get that you're frustrated because that's not what you originally signed up for.
Weddings are extremely hard to shoot, so I hope you're prepared for these photos to not live up to your expectations.
As nice as it is to try and get your friend some experience, this is one of those cases that I would reconsider and hire a professional. You're clearly uncomfortable already with the executive decisions your friend is making.
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Savvy July 2021
Ingrid · on May 19, 2021 at 3:38 PM
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Thank you to everyone that replied! It ended up working out, I talked to her and we'll have that second shooter and I'll talk about a price later with both of them. I honestly wasn't very worried about this situation at all but still wanted to hear different opinions form everyone!
Thank you
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