I got to wondering how everyone else handles 2nd shooter's material getting mixed in - for portfolio purposes.

I'm only beginning on this and have so many questions. First real wedding last Sunday. It's for the purposes of building a portfolio and referrals, but of course I also have to provide proofs for the B&G and guests in a cohesive fashion so I have mixed purposes (cohesive galleries and portfolio).

I've hooked up with a co-shooter who shot it with me. Her and I plan to do most of our first year's stuff together (including one in March), but I'm the point man, it's my business name, my insurance, my sales, I'm directing the activities, etc. I have another (February) scheduled with someone different however; and I expect will probably be a "2nd shooter" for some over the next year (more portfolio material).

(www.newportphotoworks.com), feel free to browse it and constructive unkind remarks are welcomed - but it'll be more to view in 2 weeks time For now; it's just a redirect to my Smugmug pro account.

So; should I keep separate galleries representative of only my stuff for each wedding? or is it OK to represent it as what I can produce since I'm essentially like "The Film Producer"? I hate thinking that someone will wonder "how much of that is really his" but using a co-shooter means I'll simply miss key parts because I'm off doing something else.

My take is that I should keep my "Portfolio" section clean but point to the rest as if it were mine unless explicitly asked.

How do established photographers handle this? Do you represent a wedding as "my work" even if many of the photos are from your 2nd shooter?

Also; do you just pay them a flat fee then own permanent resale/portfolio rights to all their work, without credit?

The way you hire and work with that photographer will change who owns copyright. It completely depends on the agreement you have. You want a "Work For Hire" agreement in place. This basically means regardless of who took the pictures, if they were working for you, you own the copyright exclusively. The linked wikipedia article defines it better than I could.

As long as you own rights to the images, if they're good shots show them. Who cares how you got 'em. They're examples of work your studio has produced.

Here is my legal disclaimer, in fine print. I'm not a lawyer, consult with one for more details on the subject.

Thanks for the link! Funny; my 2nd is "my lawyer", at least for my photo stuff.

We worked out what suits us since she's OK with me using/selling them permanently but wants to post all on her own portfolio some day too - the market's big enough to have some repeats.

I think I answered my own question since I want a "my portfolio" I can point to for other photographers to see my abilities without wondering if it's really mine (so I can 2nd them), but I want "my studio's portfolio" to show the quality of stuff I allow for release.

I've now had some other offers from friends to "2nd for me" and had a new thought. My relationship with the client demands some discression with their images (ie: if Brad Pitt shows up I don't go don't go Poperatzi on them). So do I even let them keep the images with some kind of an agreement in place or take a download and delete their card on the spot?

Not sure if anyone cares how I think I'd like to handle 2nd shooter/shooting but if I write it out maybe it'll help me figure if it makes sense. I think I'd rarely have a 2nd shooter, so that makes a difference in how I think I'll handle it (as opposed to a studio having assistant shooters and 2nd shooters on a regular basis).

I am the main and I have a 2nd shooter: I get the raw & edit to fit with my style (so all the images flow together) and present them to the client (via proofs) who knows there was a 2nd involved because they paid extra for one (not included in my packages). I do not use them in marketing or display materials. The 2nd keeps the raw and edits to suit their style and uses it in their portfolio/blog with a statement that those images were acquired by being a 2nd shooter, not the main. Copyright remains with me to sell to that particular client only and is shared with 2nd to use for portfolio/blog only (no sales or use in marketing/display materials).

I am the 2nd shooter working for a main: I'll have my own contract allowing me to edit to my style and use for portfolio/blog stating that I was a 2nd shooter and not using for marketing/display or sale. They will have copyright to sell to that client only and not use for marketing/display materials.