Bringing a second shooter or assistant is a direct job cost — their hours times their rate, netted against the revenue their coverage adds. The margin shows whether the help pays for itself.
The example
8 hrs at $50/hr.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value |
| 2 | 8 × 50 | — |
| 3 | Second shooter | → $400 |
The formula
The formula:
How it works
How it works:
- Multiply the hours they work by their rate (hourly or a flat day rate).
- This is a direct cost of the job — subtract it from the package revenue.
- Net it against the added revenue a two-shooter package commands.
- Include their edit time if you pay for culled/delivered images too.
A second shooter should add more revenue than cost. If a two-photographer wedding package sells for $600 more than solo and the second shooter costs $400, the help nets $200 and buys you better coverage and less risk. If the upcharge does not cover their pay, either raise the two-shooter price or shoot solo. Always net their cost against the incremental revenue their presence enables.
Try it: interactive demo
Hours, rate, added revenue.
Variations
Net from second shooter
Added rev − cost:
Day rate instead
Flat fee:
Worth it?
Decision flag:
Pitfalls & errors
Direct cost. Subtract their pay from the job’s revenue.
Net vs incremental. Compare cost to the added revenue, not total.
Edit time too. Pay for their delivered images if applicable.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate second shooter cost in Excel?
How do I know if a second shooter is worth it?
Should I include their edit time?
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