Do You Need a Second Wedding Photographer? Here's What You're Missing If Not

You might already know the answer to that question, but in case you're still not sure, I thought I'd do a little post to help you.

The first thing to know is that there's no right or wrong answer. The choice is totally yours, and the answer can depend on a number of factors. I won't lie, this post is more weighted to the pros of having a second photographer, but if you're reading this, it's probably because you want some help convincing the other half.

Personally, I love having two photographers on the wedding day; partly for selfish reasons (it's nice to have someone to talk to) but mostly because of all the added value you get. 

Why a second wedding photographer transforms your morning coverage

I can only ever be in one place at a time, and wedding mornings are CRAZY! You may think you'll have a really relaxed morning on your day, and for you, it might be, but from the supplier angle, it's all going on. There are bridesmaids to get made up and hair done, as well as the bride; there are flowers to be delivered, people popping in to wish you luck, and maybe gifts to give out. And that's just one half of the couple.

The other half are trying to find their shoes, working out which suit belongs to whom, and there are buttonholes to work out how to fasten! As a side note, watch a YouTube video about how to attach a buttonhole before the wedding so that you're prepared. All of these things are going on whilst you're having fun with your nearest and dearest, which, of course, as a photographer, I want to capture as it's part of your day.

So why two photographers? I can, and I will if I need to, run between the two rooms as people are getting ready. It's quite nice seeing how both halves are before the ceremony. But I'm always worried that whilst I'm away from one room, I'm missing something in the other. What if the flowers are arriving whilst I'm elsewhere? I'm going to miss that reaction shot! What if gifts are given out? For this reason, and if you want full coverage for both halves, it's very beneficial to have a second photographer involved. That way, we can take a room each and make sure we don't miss a thing. 

Two photographers at your wedding ceremony

This may be one of the times two photographers aren't so important, but it's still beneficial in some cases. For example, in a larger venue, it can be nice to have a photographer stationed at one end of the ceremony and the other opposite. That way, you can look back on your guests' view of the vows, and you also have those lovely shots of your guests smiling and cheering as you say "I do". It's also a good opportunity to try to capture the reaction photo of the person waiting at the top of the aisle while the other is walking it to meet them.

Of course, there are some cases where the room may be too small to have a photographer standing at each end, or the registrar/vicar may request photographers to stay at the back (it happens), and in these cases, two photographers aren't necessarily needed. Having said that, I've been to plenty of weddings where the photographers have both been stationed at the back, and they've been able to get completely different angles; maybe by sneaking down the outside or being higher up.

The best time of day for a second wedding photographer

This is probably the best time to have two photographers. Typically, this is when your group shots are done, and then your photographer whisks you away for a short time. It's so lovely to have photos of your guests enjoying themselves, and this time of day is the perfect time for that. The drinks have started flowing, people are seeing friends and family they haven't seen for years, and so on. If your photographer is busy getting those group shots or is with you for a while, this is the time a second photographer does their thing! All of my couples say they love the candid shots of their guests, so this is the prime time for those.

Catching every reaction: second photographers and speeches

This is my final example of when second photographers are fab to have. Everyone has a reaction to speeches; some tables place bets on the length of one, or all, of the speeches. As the main photographer, I want to capture those reactions, as those are some of the photos that will spark your emotions in years to come. That photo where Aunt Mabel is falling off her chair laughing? That was because of what the best man had said in his speech, you know, that story about that time you all went to races... The bride shedding a tear? Her dad just did the most moving speech. I'm not lying when I say that most of what's said in the speeches will fade from your memory very quickly, but those photos will remind you of the key moments. I honestly can barely remember the speeches from my own wedding (and it was only 8 months ago), but there are photos I have that bring back those moments and emotions.  Back to my point, though, I've digressed! Your main photographer will move around the room and get as much as they can, but although they would love to be able to, they can't look everywhere at the same time. At least if there are two photographers, you have that much more of a chance of getting that hilarious photo of Aunt Mabel falling off her chair.

Your first dance: why two angles are better than one

The first dance is one of those moments where two photographers really earn their keep. As the main photographer, I want to be close to you, capturing your faces and the emotion of the moment. But at the same time, your guests are watching, and those watching faces, the smiles, the people swaying along, the kids on the dance floor, that's a whole other set of images happening simultaneously. A second photographer means you get both perspectives at once.

When you probably don't need a second wedding photographer

Honestly? If you're having a small, intimate wedding where everyone is in the same place for most of the day, a second photographer may not be necessary. If both halves of the couple are getting ready together, if your guest list is compact, or if your venue means everyone naturally flows through the same spaces, one photographer can cover a lot of ground. It's worth having a chat with your photographer about your day's flow before deciding.

How much does a second wedding photographer cost?

I charge between £350 and £500 for a second photographer, depending on how many hours they're needed. If budget is a consideration, it's also worth asking about having a second photographer for part of the day only. Perhaps just the morning and ceremony, or the drinks reception and speeches. We're a flexible bunch, and our main job is making sure you get the photos you want from the best day of your life.

If you'd like to chat through whether a second photographer is right for your wedding, get in touch. I'm always happy to talk it through. You can also take a look at my wedding packages to see what's included as standard.