I am currently seeking a part-time second shooter for 2011. Your schedule would be established a month or more in advance. You could be working up to 30 Fridays/Saturdays per year and could work some weekends more than others; ie, 4 weddings in one month during peak season and no weddings during a month in off-season.

The perfect candidate for this position would be someone who has a full-time or part-time job doing something other than photography during the week and would like consistent weekend work. You would assist and second shoot for me. I am looking for someone who can commit long-term (1-2 years +); this is not a portfolio building opportunity. You will be required to sign a non-compete agreement. Any images you shoot will be owned by Katie Lewis Photography, Inc. There is definitely potential for further growth within the company (eventually shooting your own weddings through Katie Lewis Photography, Inc.), but no guarantees or time frames can be given.

The ideal candidate is able to take direction well, work in a fast-paced environment, carry heavy bags and equipment, act as a runner at events, stand for 10-12 hours, exhibit strong customer service skills and interact pleasantly with clients and co-workers. You must have a positive, team-oriented attitude and be willing to support me in a myriad of ways. You also must be willing to travel.

You must have a passion for photography, a good eye for detail, good composition skills, intermediate camera skills (including being able to shoot in manual mode), a teachable spirit and a cooperative attitude.

The applicant must have his or her own camera equipment. At least a Nikon D200 or at least a Canon 60D. Must have your own lenses and flash as well. While technical ability is very important, personality, attitude and loyalty are most important.

To apply for this position, please email me at katielewisphotography@gmail.com with the subject ‘Second Shooter’. Within the email you will need to include the following information and answer the following questions. If you do not answer all of the questions your application will be disqualified.

1. Full Name

2. Contact info – email and phone number

3. List all the equipment that you own. Include cameras, lenses, flash units, etc.

4. Why do you think you are the kind of person I am looking for?

5. Include any actual experience within photography you may have.

6. Why do you believe you would make a great second shooter?

7. What kind of work (your job) do you currently do?

8. Either attach or provide a link for me to check out at least 30 samples of your work.

** Salary is $200 per wedding. This position will require you to complete training at a series of weddings (hopefully this year) without pay; you will also need to sign a non-compete agreement. You must be available to work consistently on weekends. Katie Lewis Photography, Inc. does not provide benefits for contract employees.

** Do not call or facebook me…simply email me following the above directions to apply.

I love her little curly cue on the top of her head!

My favorite of the day!

Here is how they met in Amanda’s words…

Matt and I met through one of our good friends. She invited us both out for drinks at the bar and introduced us. At the time I was in a relationship and was trying so hard not to stare at Matt. I was immediately attracted to him and couldn’t help but wish I had met him when I was single…less than two months later I was single and Matt was asking for my number.

It was a very long couple of weeks attached to my phone before I finally gave up, I was positive that he wasn’t going to call – and then he did. I still give him a hard time about taking so long to ask me out.

How he proposed…

I was working late and I always call him on my way home – he wouldn’t pick up and I was getting really worried. It was pouring outside and last time I talked to him he said he was at his friends place out of town. I couldn’t help but think he may have gotten in a car accident, especially when I came home to an empty garage. I was worried sick, but when I got inside our song was playing. Matt had made my favorite dish and had it ready on the table with candle light. I was mad he had me so worried but I still said yes!

The belt for her dress is gorgeous, isn’t it?

I love this first look series. They had their first look on the porch of their house.

What were you most looking forward to on your wedding day?

Amanda: Marrying my best friend and seeing all of our planning come together.
Matt: Showing off my bride and celebrating with all my closest friends and family.

What was your favorite part of your wedding day?

Amanda: It was all great, but if I had to pick it would probably be the first look. I was excited for Matt to finally see me in my dress!
Matt: Seeing Amanda walk down the aisle towards me.

Do you have any advice for future brides and grooms?

Amanda: Don’t feel like you have to keep with tradition on everything. People loved our wedding because it was so “us”. There is no right or wrong way to have a wedding and don’t let anyone tell you differently. It is your day and it should be a reflection of you!
Matt: Do as much as you can yourself to make the wedding more personal.

What was your favorite wedding purchase?

Amanda: My dress. I think I tried on a million of them but it was worth it to find the perfect one.
Matt: My shoes.

If you could do it all over, would you change anything?

Amanda: I would remember to eat my dessert. I still can’t believe I left it on the table untouched.
Matt: I don’t think I would change a thing.

What songs did you choose:

During the ceremony:

“In My Life” & “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles

“Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney

“Sea of Love” by Cat Power

“All I Want is You” by Barry Louis Polisar

First Dance: “Love” by Nat King Cole

Family dance with Bride’s daughter: “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz

Father/Daughter and Mother/Son: “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong

Jenny + Tim met in Kansas City, Missouri soon after Jenny moved there. She had signed up on e-harmony.com to meet people and ended up being matched with Tim! They had their ceremony on her family’s land in Fort Ransom, ND overlooking the valley. It was a very intimate ceremony with very close friends and family in attendance. It was exceptionally hot and humid that day (you should have seen me after the ceremony. Horrific!) but it was absolutely stunning and you really couldn’t ask for a better view! Here are a ton of my favs:

I love Jenny’s Dad. He’s so sweet!

I adore how Tim looks at Jenny! You can just tell how much he loves her by the way he looks at her.

Loving this ring shot!!

Vendor Information:

Brides Dress: Ida’s Bridal & Tuxedos – Overland Park, Kansas

Bridesmaid Dresses: Belsoie – Ida’s Bridal & Tuxedo – Overland Park, Kansas

Groom/Groomsmen Suits: Their own

Groom/Groomsmen Ties: Tie Bar

Flowers: Flowers Etc. – Enderlin, ND

Hair: Edward Arthur Hedberg – Bucci Salon

Cake: Cindy Olson – Friend of Brides Mother

Band/DJ: Brother Jukebox

1. What were you most looking forward to on your wedding day?

Our ceremony. It was very personal. Also, I was excited for Tim to see my dress.

2. What was your favorite part of your wedding day?

Again, the ceremony. It was beautiful and just the way I pictured it.

3.  Do you have any advice for future brides and grooms?

Try not to stress too much.

4. What was your favorite wedding purchase?

My dress and our rings.

5. If you could do it all over, would you change anything?

I wouldn’t have let the alterations lady lead me to believe that you shouldn’t be able to breathe in a wedding dress or I wouldn’t have eaten that entire week

6. What songs did you choose…

During the Ceremony: “The Luckiest” Ben Folds and “Last Night on Earth” Green Day

First Couple Dance: “Warmness on the Soul” Avenged Sevenfold

Father/Daughter Dance: “I Loved Her First” Heartland

Mother/Son Dance: “100 Years” Five for Fighting

And because a post without a picture is boring, here is a sneak peek of a wedding in Fort Ransom, ND last Saturday!

On Sadie’s birthday (her favorite holiday!) Jon sent Sadie stargazer lilies, had her dress up and took her out for a delicious dinner at W.F. Maxwells. All through dinner Sadie hoped that this would be the night that Jon would ask her to marry him. They finished dinner and Jon didn’t ask her. While they had a fantastic night out, Sadie was a bit disappointed. Once they got home Sadie lingered in her ‘engagement outfit’ hoping that he would ask but she finally decided to just get comfortable in her sweatpants and t-shirt. As she was walking out of the room, Jon stopped her, got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. Sadie began to cry, hugged him and forgot to answer. Jon asked her again and her response was “Well Yeah!”.

Sadie + Jon’s wedding was BEAUTIFUL! They were married in her father’s amazing garden in Enderlin, ND. Seriously, this garden was stunning! We had so much fun with this couple and their wedding party! Here are a few of my favs:

Jon plays guitar in the band Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome. They were AWESOME!

Vendor Information:

Reception Venue: Holiday Inn – Fargo

Brides Dress: Alan Evans – Rand Evans Collection

Bridesmaid Dresses: Bride’s Aunt

Groom/Groomsmen Tuxs: Tip Top Tux

Flowers: Hornbacher’s Osgood

Transportation: All Occasions Limousine – Trolley

Hair/Mark-up: Cloud 9 Salon

Cake: Fantasies in Frosting

Band: Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome

I’ve decided to start asking the couples questions after the wedding about their wedding day. I think it’s kind of interesting to hear what the bride and groom think about their wedding day after the fact, and I think that it might help future brides and grooms with their wedding day!

1. What were you most looking forward to on your wedding day?

Sadie: I looked forward to becoming Mrs. Jon Rudolph and for being together with all of our friends and family to celebrate this wonderful time in our lives

Jon: First look. It was the first time I got to see my bride. It was awesome!

2. What was your favorite part of your wedding day?

Sadie: My favorite part of the wedding day was walking down the aisle with my father and my step-father. When my father (who always said one of the hardest things he would ever have to do was) gave me away, he put my hand in Jon’s hand and told me he was so happy I chose the best man to marry. I will remember that moment for the rest of my life.

Jon: The ceremony because it was when I knew I was marrying Sadie. But really, it was all awesome! Everything was my favorite.

3. Do you have any advice for future brides and grooms?

Sadie: Do everything you’ve ever dreamed of and have the wedding of your dreams!

Jon: Hire everything from people you don’t know. Start your slide show early.

4. What was your favorite wedding purchase?

Sadie: My dress! It was the dress I have always dreamed of and my husband loved it!

Jon: The band! Because Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome is awesome!

5. If you could do it all over, would you change anything?

Nope. Not a thing. It was the best wedding we could have ever asked for!