Hey there, fellow photographers! Have you ever considered building an associate photographer team? If not, let me tell you, it’s a game-changer!
As you probably know, being a photographer takes lots of work. From sales & marketing to shooting & editing, it can be quite the challenge to keep up with everything. That’s where a skilled associate photographer comes in. Associate photographers work alongside the head photographer {you} by documenting clients sessions, so you can have more time to focus on editing and growing your business.
If you’re curious about learning about what an associate team is or starting one, I’ve got you covered! Read on to learn more about what an associate photographer is and why working with an associate team can help your business grow in the long term. If you want to invest in learning how to jumpstart your own associate team, then my Associate Guide is for you! It covers all the details needed to successfully launch, grow, and manage a photography associate team.
What Is an Associate Photographer?
An associate photographer is someone who shoots events and/or sessions on behalf of another photographer. The Associate Photographer then shares the RAW images with the head photographer {you} to edit and ultimately deliver to the client.
The Benefits of Having an Associate Team
One of the primary benefits of having an associate team is that it allows the photography business owner to focus on editing and handling the business side of things while the associate team handles client shoots. This means more leads and revenue potential!
Another benefit of having an associate photographer team is it allows for more flexibility in scheduling sessions. Having multiple photographers on the team makes it easier to accommodate last-minute bookings and to provide coverage for multiple events at once. For wedding photographers, this is particularly beneficial because it allows them to cover multiple weddings on the same day.
Why Become an Associate Photographer?
Becoming an associate photographer is a great way to gain experience in the photography industry and get mentorship from an experienced photographer. Many photographers begin their careers on an associate team and work their way up to starting their own photography businesses. Many photographers choose to become associates because they want to further build out their portfolios and gain experience.
It is important to note that becoming an associate photographer is not the same as being an apprentice. An apprentice is typically a beginner who is just starting out and learning the basics of photography. Associate photographers, on the other hand, are photographers who have a solid foundation of photography skills and are looking to gain industry-specific knowledge and experience.
What to Look for in An Associate Photographer
When building an associate photographer team, it is important to look for photographers who are reliable, professional, and have a good eye. It is also important to find photographers who are a good fit for your business and share your vision and values.
There are different ways to put together an associate photographer team. Some photographers choose to hire associates full-time, while others hire them on a freelance or part-time basis. You must consider the needs of your photography business when deciding how to structure your associate team.
Closing Thoughts
Having an associate photographer team provides photography business owners the opportunity to grow their business and increase overall revenue potential. It also gives more flexibility in scheduling and more availability. If you would like more direction on how to build out a successful associate team and grow your business, then my Associate Guide is a great place to start!
If you enjoyed reading this post, make sure you check out my blog for more photography tips and advice. Looking for inspiration for your next wedding shoot or couples session? Feel free to take a look at my photo book for more ideas and further inspiration.
