Rex Photography
How much should wedding photography assistants be paid an hr?
do you know from experience
Public Comments
- I get $25 an hour. I started at $15 but when I got better she gave me $25. Sometimes, the photographer will give a percentage of the package. In that case, you get paid more. Also, if you have your own equipement sometimes it's worked out that way. I never used my own equipement because I didn't have any so I got an hourly rate.
- This is very photographer-dependent, and dependent on what type of assisting you'll be doing. In some cases, the assistant will be working solely for the training and guidance of the primary photographer, along with the opportunity to build a portfolio. Some photographers will offer a flat rate per-event, and some pay hourly. So this varies anywhere from $0 to maybe $50/hr in some cases. The latter end of the spectrum would be as an accomplished second-shooter who is a legitimate photographer in his/her own right. Your regional pricing will also come into play here. Iowa rates tend to be lower than NYC, for instance.
- Being an assistant is sort of a paid tuition kind of deal. The goal is to learn and become competent enough so the photographer can send you out on assignments alone. In large cities, wedding fees start at around $4000 for one photographer ... prints are extra. The lowest price I have seen quoted is $2000 ... same deal on the prints. I would think that a wedding and reception takes around three to four hours to shoot if the clients want shots of the bride and groom leaving for their honeymoon. So $200 to $300 a shoot for the assistant would not be out of line.
