do I need a second photographer?
You’re shopping for wedding vendors and you keep hearing certain terms; first look, day-of coordinator, second shooter… but what is it, actually?
It just means an additional photographer, or assistant to the photographer who also takes pictures.
We don’t require a second photographer for wedding day coverage, we just strongly encourage adding one for guest counts over 100. But if the budget allows, it does offer several benefits regardless of your guest count.
Frees up your main photographer: While the primary photographer focuses on directing and posing, creating the fine art portraits, and keeping an eye on the “inner circle” (the Couple, wedding party, and family) a second photographer can capture candid moments between guests, reactions during the cermony and toasts, and different angles from the primary. This contributes to a more comprehensive gallery of the wedding day.
Expands location coverage: With two photographers, you can cover more ground. For instance, one can photograph the bride getting dressed while the other is at the ceremony shooting guest arrivals and decorative details.
Backup: A second camera gives you reassurance that if a guest suddenly stood up in front of their view during a critical moment, the other camera most likely captured it.
Assistance: It can be helpful to have a second set of hands to prepare our equipment, carry bags, drive vehicles to photo locations, etc.
Reduced stress: Did you know that some photographers don’t sit down or take a bathroom break for the entirety of a wedding day coverage? Okay, that was the olden days before we enforced breaks and snack time, but really, it does feel like we might be missing something and we can overlook our own well-being from the adrenaline. Two photographers gives more flexibility for breaks, ensuring that you have happy, fueled and refreshed photographers.
Overall, a second photographer provides a couples with a richer collection of memories to cherish. However, rest assured when you book our services for only one photographer, you will still receive lots of candids and alternative angles. They will just double their steps for the day!
