When you start researching for a wedding photographer, you will notice that a lot of them include the words “second photographer” in all of their wedding packages. Others will just list a second photographer for an extra cost (like myself). But for all you new brides, you are left lingering with more questions.
What’s the deal with one photographer versus the two of them? Does it even matter?
The One And Only?
If you take a look at my Pricing Page, you will notice that my Silver or Gold wedding package only includes me. I am the sole and only wedding photographer on your wedding day, so all images taken throughout the day is on me and ONLY ME.
I do have an assistant included in my packages, but she is NOT there to take photos. She comes to help assist the main photographer (aka me) by keeping track of our timeline, maintaining organization during family photos, helping the bride, etc.
Of course, there are a couple pros to doing these solo wedding packages :
- The pricing is cheaper! You save about $1,000-$2,000 on your wedding package by just booking 1 photographer.
- A lot of wedding couples want to keep things simpler and more laid back. They prefer just having 1 wedding photographer running around versus 2 of them.
However, there are many drawbacks to just having the one and only. So why do most wedding packages include two photographers? What’s the buzz about having two?
Second Shooter Benefits
The second shooter option has become a staple for wedding photography nowadays.
You will notice a lot of past brides won’t hesitate to give their opinion on social media and it’s almost always along the lines of “YES! Absolutely positively get two photographers for your wedding day” and “It’s more than worth the money” and “You get so many photos out of it!” Now obviously, all these answers are based on opinion, but there’s definitely a lot of grains of truth!
Here are some of the BIGGEST benefits to having two of us. I want share this from a photographer perspective but also from being a bride myself :
- Two heads are better than one. Having two photographers means that you get different angles and views on the same moment. For example, during the reception if there’s people dancing you can have one photographer focusing on one area of the dance floor and capturing those guests, and the other photographer focusing on the other side of the dance floor where the bride and groom are dancing. That way you never miss a moment, plus you get a lot more candids!
- Certain moments can’t be captured by just one person. Let’s say that the bride isn’t going to let the groom see her until she walks down the aisle. I would captures the bride walking down the aisle with her father and her expression, and my second shooter would focus on the groom’s face when she walks down the aisle. This moment can happen so fast, and unfortunately I can’t be in two places at once and get both perspectives perfectly.
- The second shooter is an extra pair of eyes. They can photograph at your photo booth during the reception while the main photographer captures the big moments, or pulled away anytime by guests or family members for a quick snap, or if the main photographer needs a bathroom break or to switch batteries, they can step in without missing even a second of your special day!
- The volume of photos you receive in your gallery is about 30-40% percent more by having a second shooter. That’s adding another 300-500 photos to your wedding day that you wouldn’t otherwise have, and that can be so important! Your wedding day only happens once, so those extra candid photos of guests and family and every happy moment during the wedding and reception will be something you treasure forever.
All in all, make sure you read the fine print when you are deciding on your wedding photographer and the packages they offer. I offer a second shooter as an extra cost under Extra Wedding Perks but I highly encourage everyone to add in that second photographer. You won’t regret it!