Wedding Photography Mentorship | Metro Detroit
Wedding Photography Immersive Mentorship
Investment: $2,100
Learn alongside a photographer with 15 years of experience, over 200 weddings photographed, and a successful full-time career built in the Metro Detroit wedding industry.
Lola is a 3-time Best of The Knot award-winning photographer, recognized for excellence in client experience and wedding storytelling.
This immersive mentorship is designed for photographers who are serious about growth and ready to gain real-world wedding experience — not styled shoots or simulations.
What’s Included
✔ Shadow & Practice Shooting at Two Real Weddings
Attend two full wedding days (up to 8 hours each) alongside Lola.
You will:
• Practice shooting without interfering with the client experience
• Observe real-time lighting decisions
• Watch how locations are evaluated and adjusted
• Study posing flow and transitions
• See timeline management in action
• Experience live problem-solving when unexpected moments arise
This is exposure to the true rhythm of a professional wedding day — built from 15 years and 200+ weddings of experience.
✔ Real-Time Education Throughout the Day
You’ll gain insight into:
• Why specific lighting techniques are chosen
• How to anticipate emotional moments
• How to move efficiently and confidently
• How to protect the client experience while capturing strong imagery
• How to lead calmly under pressure
✔ Three Private 1-Hour Mentorship Sessions
In addition to wedding day exposure, you’ll receive three personalized video or phone sessions focused on business growth and next steps.
These sessions may include:
• Pricing and positioning guidance
• Workflow and editing efficiency
• Client communication strategies
• Portfolio review and refinement
• Brand clarity and direction
• Building a path toward assisting or second shooting
This is individualized guidance from a full-time photographer who has built a sustainable and award-winning wedding business.
Who This Is For
• Photographers ready to move beyond hobby level
• Creatives seeking real wedding exposure
• Those who want structured guidance from an established professional
• Individuals interested in potential future paid assistant or second shooting opportunities
Important Note
This is a paid educational mentorship experience.
You are investing in direct access, real wedding exposure, and professional business guidance.
Completion of this mentorship does not guarantee team placement; however, photographers who demonstrate professionalism, coachability, and alignment may be considered for future paid roles.
Investment
$2,100
Ready to Start?
Mentorship slots are limited each season to ensure quality training.
Apply today and secure your spot.
See below to learn about:
Phase Two: Assistant Development & Paid Team Role
Phase 3: Second Shooter Development
Phase Two: Assistant Development & Paid Team Role
After completing the Immersive Wedding Mentorship, select photographers may be invited to continue into Phase Two.
This stage combines advanced business mentorship with a paid assistant position on real wedding days.
Part One: Business Development Mentorship
Investment: $1,200
This portion is educational.
You are investing in deeper business strategy and long-term career development.
Included:
• One 90-minute business strategy intensive
• One 60-minute workflow and systems review
• Pricing structure guidance
• Contract and boundaries discussion
• Client communication templates and refinement
• Lightroom efficiency and delivery workflow discussion
• Career planning and next-step mapping
This portion focuses on helping you build a sustainable, professional foundation — whether you plan to grow independently or continue advancing within the team.
This is paid mentorship.
Part Two: Paid Assistant Role
During this phase, you will begin working as a contracted assistant on wedding days.
You will be paid:
$45–$55 per hour
(Competitive Metro Detroit assistant rates)
As a paid assistant, you are compensated for:
• Carrying and organizing gear
• Setting up and managing lighting
• Supporting timeline flow
• Helping coordinate family formals
• Assisting with detail styling
• Maintaining efficiency throughout the wedding day
• Supporting the lead photographer’s execution
This is a paid team position.
Important Distinction
You are paying for:
• Advanced business education
• Strategy development
• Professional growth guidance
• Systems and workflow mentorship
You are being paid for:
• Wedding day labor
• Supporting the lead photographer
• Representing the brand professionally
• Fulfilling assistant responsibilities
Education is an investment.
Labor is compensated.
These roles remain separate to maintain clarity, fairness, and professionalism.
Advancement
Assistants who demonstrate:
• Reliability
• Strong communication
• Technical growth
• Brand alignment
• Professionalism under pressure
May be invited to advance into the Second Shooter Development Phase, where compensation increases and creative responsibility expands.
Phase Three: Second Shooter Development
After successfully completing the Immersive Mentorship and Assistant Development phases, select photographers may advance to the Second Shooter Development Phase. This stage emphasizes creative responsibility, technical skill, and client-facing leadership while still under the guidance of an experienced professional.
Investment
Educational Component: $1,700
This covers advanced mentorship, feedback, and guidance designed to refine your skills as a professional second shooter.
Paid Labor: $60–$75 per hour
Your wedding-day contribution is compensated separately, reflecting your elevated responsibilities and creative involvement.
What’s Included
✔ Creative Second Shooting on Real Weddings
Step into a more autonomous role during weddings while collaborating closely with Lola. Responsibilities may include:
Capturing key moments alongside the lead photographer
Shooting artistic details and unique perspectives
Leading portrait and family formals under supervision
Adapting to lighting and location challenges in real time
Managing workflow and shot lists efficiently
Balancing creative vision with client experience
This is an opportunity to apply your technical skills while developing your own photographic style within a professional workflow.
✔ Advanced Mentorship & Feedback
Receive ongoing guidance and personalized feedback to accelerate your growth:
Post-wedding debriefs and constructive critique
Editing workflow review and stylistic guidance
Portfolio refinement focused on second shooting versatility
Client communication best practices for collaborative teams
Problem-solving strategies for unexpected wedding-day scenarios
✔ Paid Second Shooter Role
This phase is also compensated, reflecting your elevated responsibilities:
$60–$75 per hour (Competitive Metro Detroit second shooter rates)
Paid for capturing images, assisting with logistics, and supporting the lead photographer
Opportunities to showcase creativity while maintaining professional excellence
Advancement & Opportunities
Photographers who excel during this phase may be invited to:
Lead photography opportunities for select weddings
Continued collaboration with Lola’s team on a long-term basis
Expanded creative responsibilities, including storytelling and direction
Important Notes
This phase balances creative growth with professional accountability.
Educational investment ($1,700) secures advanced mentorship, training, and portfolio guidance.
Labor compensation ($60–$75/hour) reflects your contribution on wedding days.
Education is an investment. Labor is compensated.