Your wedding day will be filled with celebration, love, laughter and a number of memorable moments you’ll want to look back on for years to come. While having two photographers is not always necessary there are a number of reasons you might want to consider the benefits of two photographers on your wedding day.

1. More coverage.

One of the most beneficial reasons to hire two photographers is that your main photographer doesn’t have to be in two places at once. This can be especially helpful during your getting ready shots as well as ceremony shots. Many ceremony locations have a restriction of where photographers can be during the ceremony. Having two photographers allows you to have more coverage and from different angles.

2. More variety.

While you will have plenty more images because you will be able to have two photographers in multiple locations you will also get more variety of images. Whereas one photographer can only focus mainly on the bride and groom during special moments like the walk down the aisle, their first kiss and bouquet toss, a second shooter can capture the reactions from family and friends.

3. They catch the smaller details.

Many photographers prefer to have a second shooter because it allows then to have a second pair of eyes. While the main photographer focuses on how to perfectly pose and frame the shot, a second shooter will be more aware of smaller details that can slip by the main photographer. These little details may go undetected but with two pairs of eyes, they shouldn’t be missed.

4. Different perspectives.

While the two photographers should have similar styles they will definitely look at things differently. The way they view your day will be different which will result in more versatile images. This can be especially true if you have one male and one female photographer

 

Is a second shooter necessary? Is it possible for one photographer to capture all the special candid moments from your big day while also allowing time to capture all the details you’ll want to remember for years to come? Some couples don’t see the value in having two professional photographers at their wedding but if your budget allows it might be worth considering. In many instances, one photographer is enough but if you’re unsure consider these key factors to help you decide.

 

1. Number of Guests.

If you are expecting more than 150 people to attend your wedding a second shooter could be a good idea. Having two photographers allows the main photographer to focus on the bride and groom while the second photographer can focus on capturing all the interesting moments with your guests.

2. Getting Ready Location.

If the bride and groom are getting ready in separate locations having a second shooter ensures that both parties are covered. While you can schedule one shooter to be with the bride and bridesmaids first and then head over to the groom’s place this can mean missing out on a number of key moments and limits opportunities for detail shots.

3. What Is the Wedding Day Schedule Like?

If you are having a relaxed and casual wedding then one shooter can handle the day but if you have a number of activities planned then a second shooter might be necessary. Also, consider all the time your photographer will be off shooting you and your portraits and missing out on all the reception fun.  A second photographer could possibly cover the reception area set up and cocktail hour while the main photographer is capturing the post ceremony formals.

4. Ceremony Restrictions.

Some ceremony locations will have specific rules for photographers to follow when shooting on location. This can mean your photographer not being allowed to move around while the ceremony is taking place or only being able to shoot from a designated location. If you had two photographers in this situation you could benefit from having your ceremony shot from two different perspectives. 

5. Ceremony and Reception Locations.

If you have separate locations for your ceremony and reception your photographer might not be able to arrive at your reception until long after your guests have arrived, especially if you scheduled portraits to take place after the ceremony. If you have your ceremony and reception at the same location you still may want to have a second photographer. If guests are going to be pouring into the reception hall right after the ceremony you might not get any shots of the whole place decorated and untouched with a single photographer.

More of the weddings featured on this post:

Culpepper Barn Wedding | Nicole and Wesley

The Oyster Farm at Kings Creek Wedding | Nikki & Brennan

First Landing Engagement Session | Tara and York