Wedding Photographer Associates? My view on this current trend

I recorded this video about a year ago for a workshop that I ended up stepping out of for some conflicting reasons, but I still feel heavy about the topic so wanted to share it here. This is MY VIEW on the current trend of Wedding Photographer Associates and how I feel this could impact the wedding photography industry. As a professional wedding photographer I value brides and grooms and that has truly molded my view. Please don't come at me in the comments. If you have a different view, I would love to hear it and even dialog back and forth on it. What I am not saying in this video is that having associates is a bad thing. I personally for the last 5 years have had a team of associates that I trained up and poured into and I loved that season. Just recently have I decided to pull back from having the team and focus on my family, educating, and pursuing the dreams the Lord has given me which put an end to the season of having a team. Having a team taught me a LOT. Having John Branch as a team member/ mentee taught me probably as much as he says I taught him. So nothing wrong with associate wedding photographers, I am talking about this new toxic trend where we want to double dip and pull the covers over our couples eyes.
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[@CrisConstantin]

Totally agree, Phil. I do believe that the “associate” is a bit more like a trend that what they actually mean. But it sounds bette and if someone did it, everyone will because sounds more “pro”. What are they actually looking for is an individual to underpay so they can pocket more cash and book more weddings on the same date. You can’t do photography business with an warehouse mentality. But some do… Good video, bud👍

[@philporto]

Thanks so much for giving it a view. I agree. I had a team and I LOVED the actual teaching and training of the team. I poured into them. I didn't just find established photographers to represent me so my pockets could be filled more.

[@mileswittboyer.photoco]

My guy. You can preach this truth all day. Our industry is flooded with self absorbed influencer/content creator hydrids that either have forgotten, or simply never took the time to grasp how important the images from a wedding really are. We have to serve first. Our couples. Each other. Our industry. Our communities. Thanks for turning up the volume and exposing the noise.

[@philporto]

Thanks so much man. I couldn't agree more. It is so easy to lose track and make this a self focused business, we need each other to call out the unhealthiness. That's why you're my ride or die in this industry homie.

[@ChristopheZ]

as a wedding photographer, I totally agree with you!!!!!

[@davidknight6981]

Great advice Phil. Thank you much.

[@philporto]

thanks for checking it out!

[@RonnelPineda]

Word brother! I totally agree with your analogy and this actually boils down to being transparent to your couples. Are you being honest with them or are they just another paycheck that you don't want to pass on?

[@philporto]

very true homie!

[@arkansasweddingcollection2750]

Yeah, this is a tough one to navigate. On one hand, it’s smart to build a business that is not completely reliant on you. But on the other hand, having an “associate” that was just found on Facebook is incredibly dishonest to couples. I’ve hired associates in the past, but only after I’ve worked with them several times, and I pay $125/hr to stay above market rate. It’s a pay grade to incentivize the best of the best work out there. I believe associates are good, but only if you can: clearly articulate to the couple from the very beginning that it is an associate who will be photographing the wedding, state WHO the associate is (not doing a Facebook search after the booking), and if the associate is “more than a mercenary” It’s a thin line, but it can be a tool to help couples have a wonderful experience - if executed correctly.

[@philporto]

Agreed. I had a team of associates for years, until recently. And if its someone who has worked with you a ton and knows your style and how you shoot, its for sure different. This whole "who wants to shoot for me, similar style as mine" stuff is dangerous and not something I can back.

[@christopherrodriguez7223]

I would never feel comfortable being an associate for anyone, I would only ever want to associate for someone after many years of working together with the main photographer even then it a BIG responsibility.

[@philporto]

I couldn't agree more man. I have been asked to do it and I say "nah bro. You can refer me if you'd like, but I really can not get behind that."

[@anthonyjenkins8562]

You cant copy vision. The major skillset at a wedding is being able to look around, and create good work in any circumstance.