Second Shooter, Photography Jobs in Chicago, IL

About the role

Our companies book weddings across greater Chicago, and we need photo second shooters who know the area. Cover preparation, guests, candids and alternate angles while the lead photographer directs.

Weddings in the Chicago area run year-round, with the busiest calendar in May–October. The season runs from late spring to mid-fall, with June, September and October booking first. Our venue data covers 83 wedding venues across 7 cities in this market.

What you'll do

• Photograph the getting-ready rooms the lead is not in
• Shoot alternate ceremony angles and guest reactions
• Capture candids, details and cocktail hour
• Help with lighting setups and family formals

What you bring

• Some wedding or event experience, or a strong portrait portfolio
• One professional body, a fast lens and a flash
• Willingness to learn our house style and follow a lead

Chicago venues you could shoot

Weddings in this market take place at venues like these, drawn from our directory of 83 local venues:

• The Westin Chicago River NorthChicago
• Stan MansionChicago
• University Club of ChicagoChicago
• Salvage OneChicago
• LACUNA by Catalyst SuitesChicago
• Morgan MFGChicago
• The GeraghtyChicago
• Artifact EventsChicago
• Mesón SabikaNaperville
• Chicago Marriott NapervilleNaperville
• Naper SettlementNaperville
• Hotel AristaNaperville

Areas covered

Chicago (55), Evanston (6), Naperville (12), Aurora (5), Joliet (2), Elgin (2), Lake Forest (1). Numbers show venues per city in our data.

Pay in Illinois

For context, photographers in Illinois earn a median of $36,570 a year, with most earning between $31,200 and $96,770 (BLS, May 2025). Most wedding work is paid per event rather than salaried. See the full Illinois pay guide.