Second Shooter Agreement
This agreement is between Katharine Setterfield of K Setterfield Photography, referred to as the Studio, and an independent contractor whose name and address appears above, referred to as the Contractor.
1. Assignment: The Contractor agrees to work as a second shooter, on a per wedding basis. The Contractor’s role is entirely secondary to the primary shooter (or Studio) and will be under the artistic direction of the Studio. The Studio will own and retain the copyright to all images taken by the Contractor. All culling, processing, and artistic enhancements of the images will be made at the Studio’s discretion. Images posted in association with the wedding, weather taken by the Studio or the Contractor, will be presented under the Studio’s brand.
2. Independent Contractor: The Contractor and the Studio hereby specifically agree that the contractor is performing the services as an independent contractor and is not an employee of the studio. Nothing in this agreement shall be construed as creating an employer-employee relationship, as a guarantee of future employment or engagement, or as a limitation upon the studio’s sole discretion to terminate this agreement at any time without cause. The contractor further agrees to be responsible for all of contractor’s federal and state taxes, withholding, Social Security, insurance and all other benefits. The contractor shall have no claim against K Setterfield Photography hereunder or otherwise for vacation pay, sick leave, retirement benefits, social security, worker’s compensation, health or disability benefits, unemployment insurance benefits, or employee benefits of any kind.
3. Memory Cards: When possible, the Studio will provide memory cards to the Contractor. The Contractor agrees to hand over all memory cards before leaving the event. If the Studio is not able to provide cards to the Contractor, the Contractor is expected to use their own cards during the wedding and handed over to the studio. Contractor-owned cards will be downloaded and mailed back to the Contractor within three business days.
4. Copyright: The Contractor agrees the images are owned by K Setterfield Photography. The Contractor agrees not to sell any image taken during a contracted event from the studio to any person, company, group, advertising agency or otherwise without the Studio’s express written permission.
5. Image Use: The Studio grants the Contractor permission to use his/her own images taken during a contracted event for the Contractor’s print portfolio, website or blog. All images used publicly (web or otherwise) should include the photographers edits with a statement “photographed for and edited by K Setterfield Photography” and link to http://www.ksetterfield.com. The Contractor must wait to use the images online until AFTER the Studio blogs or posts the event on social media, or gives permission to the Contractor, whichever comes first.
The Studio will provide a wedding gallery link to the Contractor with access to download his/her images for the purposes stated above. Under NO circumstances can images taken by a second shooter, but NOT selected for the client gallery be used for the purposes stated above, without expressed written permission by the studio.
6. Business Representation: The contractor is not permitted to promote his or her own business during the wedding. This includes networking with clients, guests, or other vendors. If requested, only the Studio's business information should be given out.
7. Confidentiality: The Contractor understands that all materials, price lists, contracts, financial documents, agreements and other information or documents that are given to him/her in the scope of his/her assignments are the exclusive property of the studio and are privileged and confidential information. The Contractor agrees not to reveal this information to anyone, nor to use this information to the detriment of the studio, including to circumvent or to undercut sales. The Contractor agrees that all materials as described above must be returned to the Studio at the end of this contract.
8. Liability: The Contractor warrants that he/she will perform when booked for a photographic assignment and that he/she is liable for any loss or other financial liability suffered by the Studio due to failure to perform other than a documented medical emergency or an “Act of Nature.” The Studio is not liable for any loss or damage to the contractor’s equipment under this contract.
9. Equipment: The Contractor is responsible for providing all of his/her own equipment with which to complete the assignments.The Studio requires that weddings be photographed in RAW format with an in-camera backup to a secondary memory card.
10. Wedding Day Conduct: Contractor will dress in dark colors (or as discussed with the studio) and will appear in professional attire. Contractor will not be late unless it is an act of God. The contractor will call the Studio in the event of an emergency or delay.
11. Breaks/Meals: One 15 minute break is allowed every four hours, and in most cases, a meal will be provided during the reception, under the Studio’s contractual agreement with the client.
12. Payment: Will be arranged on an individual basis for each contractor. Payment will be a base hourly rate, depending on their experience level and the assignment, Typical number of hours is 5-9.
13. Gear Prep prior to the wedding:
Photos should be shot in RAW only - never JPG. Mistakes on this will result in a loss of pay, as JPG’s will be considered unusable.
Camera’s date and time settings should be synced across all cameras (both second and main shooter)
Two memory cards should be used in each camera and assigned a “back up” role (both cards recording in RAW). Images lost on a single memory card with no backup will result in a loss of pay.
14. A Great Second Shooter:
Is there to support the lead shooter. They can anticipate the needs of the lead and offer assistance to meet those needs.
Helps the lead stay on track for the timeline
Is content being "behind the scenes". They recognize there’s not a lot of glory in the second-shooter role, but that they are an essential part of the team.
Captures alternate views of key moments i.e. first look and bridal procession.
Should never be shooting so close to the lead photographer that subjects become distracted and don’t know where to look.
Captures alternate locations, moments, details that the lead can not otherwise get to. i.e. Bride and groom are getting ready in separate areas.
Serves as an "insurance policy" in the event something should happen to the lead shooter's gear or should an act of God prevent the lead shooter from completing their duties.
Stays out of the lead's shot as best as possible
Takes behind-the-scenes photos/videos of the lead at work, when there is opportunity.
15. Key Shot-list for Second shooters
Details, including the flat-lay, dress (on hanger), florals, ceremony and reception details, venue (wide shot and other creative details).
Groomsman getting ready
Alternate views of first look
Creative and alternate views/angles of couples portraits as lead is shooting from main angle
Being aware and capturing special moments the lead may not notice or have time for
Bridal party as they enter the procession from the back (shot of parents, and each couple as they are about to walk in)
Alternate angles of the ceremony, including parents/grandparents as they watch, first kiss, and recession
For reception, focus on guest photos, being proactive about getting people to join in.
16. Safety and Security
Per the studio’s contractural agreement with the couple, our team is to be treated with respect at all times. If at any point the contractor feels harassed, pressured, or unsafe, they will bring it to the studio or lead’s attention at once so it can be addressed.