Chris,

I've used a second shooter (two different operators) on my last 2 weddings and neither of them were very experienced. I used them for the ceremony only and paid them fairly well. 100-150.00 or so. I pass the cost on (marked up to 200 or so). The biggest reason for paying them fairly well is because they have to book the day. They work only 4 hours max. including travel & set-up.

I shoot the wedding as if I'm shooting it solo and with the second cam being unmanned, but the results are better just by virtue of the fact that the operator can maintain framing, and or relocate. I just keep an eye on them to make sure we're not moving at the same time and brief them before-hand about stuff I learned at the rehearsal. I have them play it safe, while I am more the one to chances during the ceremony.

All-in-all, I think that having a 2nd op for the ceremony is a good thing, and the results are much better than a static wide shot.

Hi Ken

Hmmm maybe I need a Canadian cos the ops here are terrible. My last wedding (admittedly she was a bridezilla) all I needed the 2nd shooter to do is film the bride at home and the groom arriving to pick her pick. She totally messed up the shoot despite strict instructions (she's a photog as well and shot the bride with an bright window behind her!! The video is un-usable!!) She missed the groom arrival (how can you miss a stretch limo arriving down a suburban street!!!) She was supposed to leave the bride 20 mins before the limo to catch the bridal arrival at a venue 10 mins away and ended up taking an hour and missing the limo AGAIN. That was really an hours work total for $200!! and it was totally messed up and worthless!!

Maybe I'm just unlucky but I'm pretty wary of 2nd shooters at this stage!!! (BTW: she ain't getting paid!!!)
I had to compensate the bride for having bad prep footage!!

Chris

[QUOTE=Ken Diewert;1604327]Chris,
I shoot the wedding as if I'm shooting it solo and with the second cam being unmanned, but the results are better just by virtue of the fact that the operator can maintain framing, and or relocate.

When the photographer stands in front of the camera, now you have someone to tap him on the shoulder and tell him to move. It sux when you have an unmanned camera and from across the church you see the photographer standing right in front of it. You try to get their attention, but they are too busy looking down at their camera and reviewing the photos they just took.

Ouch... No, I just get my ops to stand behind the tripod during the ceremony and adjust framing as required. At this point I take on anything more complex than that. I would expect that they would likely do the same thing as your assistant if I gave them the chance...