Do we need a second photographer?
Okay, this is a question that is coming up a lot recently. Second photographers. Should we hire one, should we not? Let’s talk!
(Side note, thanks to one of my regular second shooters, Mary, for getting all of these shots of me while getting shots of my couples! Haha :D)
For most of my early years as a photographer, having a second photographer was the rare exception - not something that most people wanted, or even thought of, having at their weddings. These days, it seems like more people are thinking that this is a "Must Have.” I fall on either side of the spectrum, and it really depends on what you are looking for on your wedding day and what you want out of your photos.
Do you need your photographer to be in two places at one time? Say, one person is getting ready 30 minutes from the venue, and the other is getting ready at the venue, and you want pictures of them both getting ready, simultaneously? Well, then yes, a second photographer makes sense.
Do you want getting ready pictures of both people, but they are close by (say, staying in the same hotel, but in different rooms)? If that’s the case, then I could probably handle going back and forth, timing it so I don’t miss anything.
Are you having a church wedding where there are very strict restrictions on the photographer’s movement? (Yes, I have had this happen, some churches literally tell the photographer to stay in one place and not move for the entire ceremony) If so, a second photographer might be helpful.
Do you want photos of you coming down the aisle, and also photos of the reaction of your beloved when they see you for the first time? I could go either way on this one. It is easy enough for me to turn a bit and snap a few photos of your future spouse as you are coming down the aisle, and then turn back to you. But if you want absolutely every second of their stunned, giddy expression, then maybe a second photographer is for you.
Are you having a small to medium size (guest count) wedding, doing a first look, and having most everything at one location? Then probably no, you don’t need a second photographer.
Are you having a large wedding and want lots of pictures of every guest, both candid and posed? A second photographer would be good. If you don’t care so much about the posed photos, I could handle doing the candids on my own.
Or maybe you just want lots and LOTS of photos. Okay, second photographer it is! (With just me, it would just be “lots” :D)
Or maybe you want to not notice having two photographers around, and think it will be too disruptive. Okay then, just me - fly on the wall, you will hardly know I’m there! (Although I have to say, the second photographers I work with are also pretty high on the photo-ninja scale ;))
So, all of this is to say - well, it depends! If you have any doubts about whether a second photographer is something you need at your wedding, please ask! I am always happy to help and answer any questions.
While you’re here, check out some of these other tips!