How to Become an Associate Wedding Photographer (Comprehensive Guide!)

Nathan Desch, Founder

Talent

For photographers passionate about weddings, but uninterested in running their own business or managing client communications, becoming an associate wedding photographer offers the perfect balance.

Of course, some of you might also be interested in the opportunities that exist here to fill gaps in your schedule - so you might have your own wedding photo business, but want to pick up some extra work, too. If that’s you, this is also for you!

This Associate Wedding Photographer guide will explore what an associate wedding photographer is, how this role differs from other positions in the industry, and how to find these opportunities, including pay expectations and other practical advice and tips to get started.

What is an Associate Wedding Photographer?

An associate wedding photographer (sometimes referred to as a “lead photographer” or “lead associate photographer”) is a contracted professional who shoots weddings, micro weddings, and elopements (and sometimes other events and photography session work) on behalf of another photographer operating, in this case, as a “hiring studio.”

This other photographer might just outsource all of their jobs, but more likely, they work for themselves, are shooting plenty of their own weddings, but hire associates so they can take on more work volume - allowing them to grow their wedding photography business in the process.

In the most common associate shooter arrangements, the associate captures the wedding day, then delivers the images to the studio - who manages everything else—client communication, bookings, editing, and delivery. Essentially, the associate represents the studio's brand and ensures the final images align with their style.

Think of this role like a restaurant catering an event. While the dishes reflect the restaurant’s reputation and quality, the head chef may not personally prepare the food. The restaurant trains its team to meet its standards, ensuring clients receive a consistent experience.

What Does an Associate Wedding Photographer Do?

At it’s simplest, an associate wedding photographer primarily is at the wedding to take photos. The specific requirements may vary from gig to gig, studio to studio, but generally it’s just these few main things:

Captures weddings and events as the primary photographer when the lead photographer is unavailable or booked.
Hands over raw image files to the lead photographer for editing and delivery.
Represents the lead photographer’s brand and follows their specific shooting style and instructions.
Occasionally collaborates with second shooters or assistants on large-scale weddings.

Clarifying Roles: Common Contracted Photography Positions

The photography industry includes several common contracted roles, each with distinct responsibilities. The word “associate photographer” can sometimes be used to refer to any of these roles (depending on the context), but generally will refer to the main shooter for a wedding.

Still, we want to add this section to add extra clarification. Understanding these roles in more detail can help you decide where to start or grow your career, and make finding a photographer job a lot easier.

Photography Assistant

This is an entry-level role focused on equipment setup, lighting, and other similar tasks during a wedding day that do not involve actually taking photos. Great for learning the technical and logistical aspects of wedding photography.

Some unique arrangements may also see assistants getting an opportunity to “3rd shoot” - take some photos themselves while otherwise working in an assistant role.

Pay typically averages around $15/hour.

Second Shooter

Works alongside the associate photographer, capturing alternative angles and candid moments. Often assists with details like decor, guest interactions, and behind-the-scenes moments.

Average pay is approximately $45/hour but can range widely depending on a number of factors including experience, location, demand and more.

Associate Photographer

Acts as the lead photographer on the wedding day, with the most expectations on them to create high quality images that reflect what is seen in their portfolio, replicate the style of the studio that has hired them, and otherwise guide the flow of the wedding day from a photography perspective.

At the end of the project, will hands over file for post-processing.

Pay typically averages around $100/hour but like 2nd shooters, can vary significantly depending on many factors.

Pay Rate Expectations for Associate Wedding Photographers

As an associate wedding photographer, pay rates can vary depending on location, experience, and the studio's budget. On average:

Associate photographers earn approximately $100/hour.
Second shooters earn around $45/hour.
Assistants earn about $15/hour.

Keep in mind, their are some studios who pay less (and some photographers who just plain charge less), and on the other end of things, some who pay a lot more (and photographers who demand more).

Pay Advice for Newer Photographers

If you’re just starting as an Associate Wedding Photographer, consider setting your rate lower to make yourself more competitive. Once you’ve established yourself and gained positive reviews (like on ShootWith.Me), you can gradually increase your rate to reflect your growing expertise.

How to Find Associate Wedding Photographer Jobs

One of the biggest questions we see online and when we go to networking events is - how do I find associate wedding photographer jobs?

In the past, the best opportunities would just come to those who did a ton of leg work - get a list of studios, contact them asking if they need help…and wait for a response. In a similar vein, going into a local Facebook Group and asking if anyone needs help then…waiting for a response.

These solutions can work, but are also very hit-and-miss.

By joining ShootWith.Me and signing up for a Talent profile (it’s free until you book your first job!), you can start being found by hiring studios immediately in your local area.

Setting Up a Strong ShootWith.Me Talent Profile

Want to learn how to create a great profile on ShootWith.Me that helps entice studios to want to hire you? Read our in depth user guide.

If you want the spark notes version, here’s what makes a great Talent Profile:

Include a bio sharing info about you, your experience, and emphasizing your interest in associate photography work and your ability to adapt to different shooting styles.
Showcase a portfolio of your best work so far
Add links to your website and expanded galleries for more information
Share your availability
Highlight your skills and experience
Get reviews and ratings from studios you work with so you can have more “social proof” (ie: more studios will trust hiring you because others have had a great experience themselves!)

What Hiring Studios Look For in Associate Wedding Photographers

Did you know, businesses (like photographers) that operate in the wedding industry are one of the last industries composed primarily of small businesses?

Because of this, every wedding photography studio will have their own specific needs and requirements.

Over the years, as we talked to countless photographers and studio owners, we’ve seen some very clear trends and want to share them with you!

Here are the main things studios look for when looking to hire an associate photographer to cover their booked weddings and events -

Ability to consistently capture high-quality images that match the studio’s style.
Experience in shooting weddings or other fast-paced events.
Reliability, professionalism, and a strong understanding of wedding day workflows.
The willingness to learn and adapt to new systems or techniques.
A rate of pay that is within their budget needs so they can maintain good profit margins.
Personality that is positive and makes sense for their brand.

We expect that none of these things will be particularly surprising to read, but the reality is they are so important that, for the right photographer, studios may also be willing to pay more for better quality and reliability of experience.

Pros and Cons of Being an Associate Photographer

Before we wrap things up in this Associate Wedding Photographer Guide, let’s just look at the pros and cons of this. We’ll keep this short and sweet! 🙂

Associate Wedding Photography - Pros:

Focus solely on photography without handling client communication or business management.
Gain experience in shooting weddings and build a portfolio.
Learn from established photographers, gaining mentorship and valuable insights into the industry.
Network with other photographers and vendors, opening doors for future opportunities.
Relatively high rate of pay per hour compared to other job opportunities.

Associate Wedding Photography - Cons:

Less creative freedom compared to running your own business.
Limited control over the final edits and how images are delivered to clients.
Potentially less personal connection with clients, as the lead photographer handles all communication.

Is Becoming an Associate Photographer Right for You?

If you love the art of photography but aren’t ready—or interested—in managing the business side, becoming an associate wedding photographer is a fantastic career path. It’s also an excellent option for photographers looking to gain experience, build their portfolios, and learn from seasoned professionals.

By leveraging platforms like ShootWith.Me and expanding your network, you can find exciting opportunities as an associate photographer. This role offers a balance of creativity, learning, and flexibility, making it a rewarding choice for many photographers.

Ready to explore associate photography jobs? Visit ShootWith.Me and start your journey today!