Laurie and Sim, Bristol Cathedral Wedding

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Amber and Marcus, Grittleton House

Do I Need A Second Photographer At My Wedding?

There is most likely an option to add another photographer to your wedding day when enquiring with photographers, and looking at their pricing.

What does this mean? Why would I need 2 photographers at my wedding? The short answer is no…You do not NEED 2 photographers.

But there are benefits to having another photographer at your wedding day! Now this doesn’t mean a solo photographer isn’t capable of capturing everything you need on your wedding day. I would never say to a couple that they need a second photographer.

I have been a solo shooter for the majority of the weddings I have photographed. We are pretty awesome on our own and very capable of telling your story with a plethora of beautiful images. However, having the option of another photographer has become more popular in recent years. Magazines, wedding blogs and perhaps your friends will tell you that it is a necessity to have 2 photographers on your wedding day, but how do you come to that decision on your own?

Hopefully my blog post can highlight some benefits of having a second photographer and scenarios where I personally might recommend having someone else there on the day. Remember if your budget doesn’t stretch to having a second photographer, don’t worry at all! Second photographers are a relatively new thing that’s become more popular over time. We’ve been solo shooting for years, so don’t think this is a must have for your wedding.

What are the main benefits of having a second photographer alongside the main photographer?

1. MORE final images in your gallery! Now I do truly believe in quality over quantity…But having 1 photographer means we cannot be in 2 places at once. If you’d like both sides of morning preparation covered (especially if you’re in 2 different locations), then adding another photographer to the day would be a pretty worthwhile investment. You both get to experience seeing each others morning preparations after the wedding when you’re enjoying your gallery. More coverage = more final images!

2. You have another angle of the vital moments of the day like the ceremony and your speeches. Having an additional angle of your ceremony can mean we can capture your partners reaction before walking down the aisle, or grab 2 angles of your first kiss as a married couple. One of us can stand at the back and get a wide shot of your ceremony, whist still getting the up, close and personal details like the ring exchanges and your smiles when hearing your vows.

3. They can cover the candid shots of guests whilst we’re off snapping couple portraits during your reception hour. As we head off for some couples portraits. Your 2nd photographer can get a head start on candid shots, some informal group shots and wedding breakfast details such as table decor. Giving your main photographer more time to capture the two of you and ensure they have everything they need. Having a 2nd photographer doesn’t mean these tasks are now separate for the day, this just means the main photographer will come back and capture double the candid shots you would have with just a solo photographer.

4. If you are having a large wedding that is spread across a large venue, having anther photographer means that different moments can be captured that are happening at the same time. What if Uncle Dave decides to do the worm and I’m 1km away in a huge venue or shooting table decorations? Okay maybe not THAT far, but having the security of another photographer on site means we don’t miss any epic moments like this.

5. An extra pair of hands for tricky shots and another creative brain on the team! Sometimes there are shots I’d like to do that require a little more help, and I only have two hands, which are usually full of camera + lens. Having a second shooter to borrow if I need a hand holding a light, fluffing a dress, throwing a veil, or helping me hang a dress in a hard to reach place is always handy, and it gives you a wider variety of shots that I may not be able to do on my own.

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What if I don’t have the budget to add a second photographer?

Budget is always a concern when adding another photographer to the day, and adding another vendor meal to your list of the day…However this is not a blog to force you into hiring a second photographer or purchasing a second photographer package. If it’s just your partners preparations you would love to have captured and you’re not fussed on the other bits, consider staggering your preparation times so the main photographer can nip across the venue to get some shots of your partners prep. It’s often not a problem to nip to the other side of the venue and grab a few snaps of your partner popping their tie on or waistcoat on if it’s the groom. If your partner is getting ready elsewhere, your photographer may have time to take them to one side before the ceremony and stage a few shots for you.

Having 2 photographers is mainly recommended for larger weddings and larger venues. If you are having a smaller intimate day with 50 guests or less, there’s not much point in having a second photographer there all day. If you are having a small elopement, one photographer is enough. I do recommend a second photographer weddings with over 100 guests as it ensures nobody is missed out during the day!