One of the first questions I get when I talk to a couple about my pricing and packages is - do I really need a second shooter?
My short answer: probably not. I shoot many weddings flying solo and have traveled all over Nova Scotia doing so! That said, it is completely dependent on your wedding day plans, and there are many situations in which you may want to consider having a second photographer to assist. Here’s when you should seriously consider adding a second photographer to your coverage.
If your wedding is 100+ people
For intimate weddings of 50 people or less, one photographer is likely all you’ll need to photograph your entire day and include at least a snap or two of each of your guests. However, once you get into 100+ people, that’s a lot of people for one photographer to capture - if your photographer is busy with formals, couple portraits, and other priority photos, it is ideal to have a second photographer to cover cocktail hour and other in-between times to include all of your guests in your final gallery. It also ensures you get some guest reactions during speeches and emotional first dances!
To maximize your wedding day coverage
8 hours with one photographer is just that: 8 hours. When you add a second photographer to the mix, you can split the two of us between getting ready locations so your partner and yourself each have a dedicated photographer; this adds roughly an hour of extra coverage to the beginning of your day! There’s other parts of the day where it can help to double your coverage - see my note on cocktail hours below.
To add a second perspective
This is the number one reason most clients usually ask about a second photographer. It absolutely can add a second perspective, particularly during the ceremony and later in the reception during speeches and dances. If there is an opportunity for a wider bird’s eye view (like from the loft of a church, or high above a field), I always make sure we split up to capture that! Other times that I feel it’s significant to have a second perspective are during first looks or when the groom first sees the bride.
To speed up formals and spend more time with your guests
If you have a huge bridal party or large families, the ability to split up both sides can be a huge help in your timeline! Each photographer can focus on one side and it can make a notable difference in how long you’ll spend taking portraits with family, bridal party, and even couple photos. This allows you to get back to what really matters - the family and friends who are there to spend the day with you.
If you are having a cocktail hour and candids are important to you
As much as I often wish I could be in two places at once, I can’t - and that’s where a second photographer can come in handy. If candids are a big part of what you want to see in your gallery, consider having a second so that they are able to attend the cocktail hour while the main photographer is working on formals; often, the main photographer is busy during this entire time capturing your family, bridal party, and couple’s portraits, and therefore isn’t able to photograph those sweet candid laughs between your nearest and dearest.
I’ll bet you can’t tell which photos in this post are by second shooters - that’s the point! When booking a package with two photographers, you’ll get two professional shooters and their work should blend seamlessly.
What do you think - do you feel like a second photographer is a must-have?