I am excited that my business is expanding enough that I will need regular 2nd shooters, but that also means I need to get a contract for them too!!
I need to know what are some standards in the contract with the 2nd and if there is an easy place to get some samples, or even one sample. I was having issues with details of what should and shouldn't be allowed with a 2nd photographer this summer, so I need a contract that is fairly industry standard.
Help?! Suggestions?!
Now I understand why couples have a great edge doing their biz together! Ah haaaaa!!!
I can't help you with any examples, but I'd suggest you cover the following -
* Ownership of copyright
* Use of photos from your weddings in their portfolio (whether you allow it or not, to what extent, and whether you want them to acknowledge to potential clients that they weren't the main on that shoot)
* Extent of editing expected from them on the files (do they send you a CD of RAWs so you can edit them to the same PP style as your own, or are you expecting them to send fully usable files)
* Non-compete clauses - not to hand out their own business cards at your weddings
* Time expectations (how long you expect them to be at the wedding for)
* Which duties you expect of them (for example my 2nd shooter also assists me in carrying and setting up lighting gear and "posing" while I set up the lighting)
Great points Chris. I talk with my second shooters about most of these things, but I don't have them sign anything. For me a handshake is better than a piece of paper.
So, here comes the contracts.