Associate, Lead, Second, or Assistant?
Our Associate Photographers, Lead Second Photographers, Second Photographers, and Assistants come with all different levels of experience, skills, and availability. Because of this, we have created a compensation and progression scale that we hope makes sense and that every one of our contracted team members can quickly progress through:
Associate Photographers
Our Associate Photographers are lead, meaning, they are leading a photo session or photographing an event for JMGant Photography without direct supervision. We require all of our associate photographers to demonstrate their skill and mastery in several different ways, but this is usually done by lead second shooting for JMGant Photography for over a year and for over 10 weddings. The compensation for our Associate Photographers is $100-$150/hour.
Lead Second Photographers
Lead Second Photographers are Second Photographers who have demonstrated through previous sessions and events that they can lead shoot certain parts of the day without supervision. They will often be assigned to shoot bridal or groom prep, family portraits, or some other aspect of the wedding day on their own. We need to be able to 100% depend on these photos as the lead photographer will not be reviewing or reshooting these. Our Lead Second Photographers have photographed a minimum of 3 other weddings or events with JMGant Photography and have completed a photo review. Lead Second Photographers are compensated $40-$50/hour
Second Photographers
Second Photographers are new to working with JMGant Photography. They have a photography background and have demonstrated independently that they’re experienced, but have yet to demonstrate that ability specifically with JMGant Photography. They will be assigned to shooting alongside the lead photographer, and occasionally briefly alone. They are unlikely to be asked to lead shoot portions of the day, and if they are, their photos will be reviewed to ensure they’ve met expectations. In most situations, we ask that Second Photographers assist at least once prior to second-shooting. Compensation for Second Photographers is $35/hour.
Photography Assistants
Assistants do not take photos. They are there to assist the lead photographer with lighting equipment, schedule, and other misc tasks. We hope that assisting is a great learning opportunity to see how JMGant Photography works and directs clients, lights subjects, frames shots, etc. Assistants are welcome to ask any questions discreetly or following the session or event. We give our full attention to helping our assistants understand the process. Compensation for Assistants is $15/hour.
We hope this clarifies the different title roles within the JMGant Photography brand. If you have any questions, never hesitate to reach out.
