What does a second photographer capture??
Every photographer works differently, we each have our own style and therefore may have different requirements from a second photographer. For me, a second is not there to get me drinks or carry my bags, they are professionals in their own right and I hire them to capture specific shots as a professional photographer - I've listed these below for you;
- The groom and his groomsmen having a last drink before the ceremony, portraits of the Groom and Best Man.
- The Bride arriving at the ceremony so I can be ready and waiting set up in the church/ ceremony room.
- During the service I shall be at the front capturing your expressions. Most vicars/ Priests and registrars prefer that we stay in one place during the service, therefore having a second photographer allows for them to be situated at the back capturing lovely full length shots up the aisle, if your venue/ church has a balcony then they can take some from above too.
-While I'm taking the formal group photographs, my second photographer will focus on your guests and the aspects of your day that you will be missing. This is also a chance for the second photographer to capture all of the set-up details in your wedding breakfast room and any signs / entertainment.
- A second photographer can accompany me during the couple portraits of the bride and groom and capture another angle and perspective entirely to what I am capturing, double whammy of gorgeous portraits!
- I can focus on your reactions on the head table during speeches and entrust my second photographer to capture your guests reactions.
Who are the second photographers?
Over the last ten years I've had approximately 10 second photographers second shoot at weddings for me. These all freelance although also work as main photographers in their own right and just filling their spare weekends with second shooting. I only have second photographers who are to the same standard as me, experienced professional photographers and they all have their own equipment which is to the same standard (or better) than mine.
Will I still have lovely photos with one photographer?
Oh yes, definitely. Unless referring to the above where I think a second photographer is needed, I can honestly say that having photographed over 400 weddings, approximately half of these I was the sole photographer, and those clients still LOVED their photos. You will still have loads of beautiful photos and your day documented to a high standard.
I have a small wedding and do not require groom prep...
I would not recommend a second photographer in this instance. With a small wedding, these are more intimate, in which case two photographers can be a bit much when there aren't many guests, we become more noticeable, and I can capture candids of the guests alone as there are less of them.
Do I need two photographers?
I like to be honest with all of my clients. After all, if I was planning my wedding and did not understand the ins and out of weddings and photography, I would find it all incredibly overwhelming, and would love an honest opinion from someone with experience and knowledge in this industry.
If you are having a large wedding, ie. over 130 guests then yes, I highly recommend booking a second photographer.
If you think your timeline is going to be tight and leave little time for candids of your day, details and guests due to a large group photo list or limited reception time, then again, a second photographer would be an advantage for those photos.
If Groom prep is important to you then a second photographer is required, I cannot be in two places at once, and even when both the bride and groom are getting ready at the same venue, I have missed important shots running between two rooms due to being a muggle making it only possible for me to be in one place at a time.
If it were me getting married, yes I would have two photographers.
In Summary...
My clients who have booked a second photographer have been over the moon with their photographs and often speak of how great the second photographer was and how they love being able to see what the groom was up to on the day and have those "up the aisle" shots, as well as the added bonus of having the brides and grooms morning documented in their wedding album.
Equally, my clients who have not hired a second photographer for their wedding day have been just as happy with their photos, and have never said to me that they regret not having one.
A second photographer needs to be booked in a minimum of 3 months before your wedding. If you are one of my clients and unsure whether you need one, please do get in touch with your timeline in hand and we can discuss what will be best for you and your wedding day.