Careers / Cleveland, OH
Secondary Wedding Photographer (Associate) Jobs in Cleveland, OH
1099 associate / secondary photographer - paid apprenticeship under lead shooters. $400 full day or $250 half-day (≤5 hours). Support multi-angle coverage, details, and guests. Path to lead tier ($250/$100/$80) after successful scored second-shoots and review. Education and full tools unlock after hire. Lower gear bar than primary; off-camera flash preferred. Not W-2; no guaranteed hours.
Associate pay: $400/full day · $250/half day (≤5 hr) · path to lead tier
1099 independent contractor · not W-2 · no guaranteed hours
Apply in ClevelandCompensation
Associate / secondary is a paid apprenticeship under lead shooters:
- Full day: $400
- Half day (≤5 hours coverage): $250
After approximately 4 successful scored second-shoots and review, strong associates can promote to the full lead tier ($250/$100/$80).
Education courses and full crew tools unlock only after you are hired - not during the application.
Role requirements
Must have to apply
- Authorized to work in the United States
- Reliable transportation to events
- Wedding and event shooting experience provided
- Photography wedding experience provided
- At least one field-ready photo body
- Photo kit and backup-media plan described
Preferred, not required
- Off-camera flash experience
- Off-camera flash system
- Private portfolio or work samples provided
- FAA Part 107 certification
What Candid Studios Offers
- 1099 independent contractor - not W-2 employment; no guaranteed hours
- Candid handles client booking, coordination, and (for field roles) editing delivery
- Training reimbursement and career ladder after you are hired (Education unlocks post-hire)
- Paid associate rate: $400/full day or $250/half day (≤5 hr)
- Learn under vetted leads; path to full lead tier after scored second-shoots
- Lower gear bar than primary - build toward lead standards
This role covers weddings, engagement sessions, and events across the Cleveland, OH area and surrounding metro. Travel within the region is expected; destination work is available for contractors who want it. Education and full portal tools unlock after hire.