Associate Wedding Photographer / Second Shooter (Contract, Nashville Area)

Contract/ Freelance / Weekend Work Pay:

$55/hour for Second Shooting (training + evaluation phase)
$100/hour for starting Associate Shooting

Location: Nashville, TN + surrounding areas
Schedule: Primarily Saturdays and Sundays (wedding season)
Job Description:
Mackenzie Ryan Photography is looking for an experienced, reliable wedding photographer to join the team as an Associate Shooter, with initial onboarding through Second Shooting opportunities.
This role is ideal for a photographer who already has wedding experience, feels confident working independently on a wedding day, and wants consistent contract work without the responsibility of client communication, editing, timelines, gallery delivery, or backend business management.

As an associate shooter, you would be the lead photographer physically present on the wedding day representing Mackenzie Ryan Photography, while I handle all client communication, planning, timeline prep, editing, gallery delivery, and overall business operations. Your role is to show up prepared, create beautiful imagery, follow my workflow expectations, and professionally care for clients on the wedding day.

This is not an entry-level photography position. I’m specifically looking for someone with prior wedding photography experience who can confidently handle a wedding day while still being open to learning my specific shooting style and workflow.

Required Availability
You must be available for associate shooting on the following dates:

October 10
October 22

In addition, availability for weekend second shooting opportunities (Saturdays/Sundays) is required for training and evaluation. Although when exactly is flexible.
Associate Shooter Responsibilities:

Photograph weddings independently under the Mackenzie Ryan Photography brand
Capture a full wedding day confidently and professionally
Follow provided timelines and shot expectations
Create consistent, high-quality imagery that aligns with brand expectations
Professionally interact with couples, families, planners, and vendors
Adapt quickly to changing wedding day conditions
Deliver memory cards/files promptly after the event

Second Shooter Responsibilities:
Before being approved for associate shooting, selected candidates will second shoot with me so I can train them in how I prefer wedding days to be documented.
This includes

Assisting on wedding days
Capturing complementary angles and moments
Learning my expectations for ceremony coverage, portraits, details, candids, family formals, etc.
Working collaboratively and taking direction well

Equipment Requirements
Applicants must have

Professional primary camera body with dual card slots
Backup/second camera body
Professional wedding-ready lenses
Reliable transportation
Backup batteries and memory cards

Application Requirements
Please include

Your photography portfolio
At least one full wedding gallery you’ve personally photographed as a lead photographer
Brief summary of your wedding photography experience
Confirmation that you’re available October 10 and October 22
Confirmation that weekend availability is generally open for second shooting opportunities

Hiring Process

Initial interview / conversation
Paid second shooter trial wedding day ($55/hour)
Additional second shooting opportunities for training and workflow alignment
Approval for associate shooting assignments ($100/hour)

Ideal Candidate
You are

Experienced in wedding photography
Calm under pressure
Trustworthy and dependable
Friendly and professional with clients
Confident shooting independently
Detail-oriented
Coachable and open to learning an established workflow
Looking for contract wedding work without backend business responsibilities

This is a great fit for someone who loves photographing weddings but doesn’t necessarily want to manage the editing, client communication, and administrative side of running a wedding photography business.
Pay: From $100.00 per hour
Benefits

Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person