Second Shooter, Photography Jobs in San Francisco, CA
We are building our roster of photo second shooters in San Francisco and nearby Oakland, San Jose, Berkeley, Half Moon Bay, Walnut Creek, Santa Cruz ahead of opening bookings. Apply now to be first in line.
Building roster
About the role
We are accepting applications from photo second shooters in greater San Francisco. Applicants here are contacted first when our companies begin booking weddings in this market. Cover preparation, guests, candids and alternate angles while the lead photographer directs.
Weddings in the San Francisco area run year-round, with the busiest calendar in April–October. Mild weather means weddings run year-round, with the heaviest calendar from spring into fall. Our venue data covers 158 wedding venues across 8 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
San Francisco venues you could shoot
Weddings in this market take place at venues like these, drawn from our directory of 158 local venues:
- Palace of Fine ArtsSan Francisco
- The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union SquareSan Francisco
- Fort Mason Center for Arts & CultureSan Francisco
- Conservatory of FlowersSan Francisco
- The FillmoreSan Francisco
- The Ritz-Carlton, San FranciscoSan Francisco
- Presidio Golf CourseSan Francisco
- Aracely CafeSan Francisco
- Winchester Mystery HouseSan Jose
- Jack London SquareOakland
- San Jose MarriottSan Jose
- Oakland Marriott City CenterOakland
Areas covered
San Francisco (41), Oakland (39), San Jose (41), Berkeley (20), Half Moon Bay (4), Walnut Creek (3), Santa Cruz (7), Saratoga (3). Numbers show venues per city in our data.
Pay in California
For context, photographers in California earn a median of $47,840 a year, with most earning between $36,470 and $125,490 (BLS, May 2025). Most wedding work is paid per event rather than salaried. See the full California pay guide.
More opportunities
Second Shooter, Photography jobs in San Francisco: FAQ
How much do photo second shooters make in San Francisco?
Our rate for this role is flat rate per wedding, shared on your intro call. For context, the BLS median for photographers in California is $47,840 a year (May 2025).
When is wedding season in San Francisco?
The busiest months are April–October. Mild weather means weddings run year-round, with the heaviest calendar from spring into fall.
How far will I travel?
Most of our San Francisco weddings fall within about 60 miles, including Oakland, San Jose, Berkeley, Half Moon Bay. Longer trips are optional and paid separately.
Is this a contractor role?
Yes. This is an independent contractor (1099) position. You choose the dates you are available and accept the weddings you want.
Photograph weddings in San Francisco.
Send your resume and portfolio and we will be in touch.