Right there next to Backstreet Boys vs. NSYNC and Pepsi vs. Coke lies the age old question of 1 photographer vs. 2 photographers. Having photographed hundreds of weddings since 2010 and speaking on this topic with a majority of our couples, I find it best to cover this topic in a more straightforward presentation of the facts – more or less a “No Fluff” conversation about whether a second shooter is worth it.

Before diving into the upsides, let’s talk about the cons of adding a second photographer to wedding day.

Cons of having a second photographer

Extra Cost

Finding things you want for your wedding isn’t as hard as most people say. The hardest part is generally finding things you want that fit within your budget. If we are diving deep into the weeds on this one, there is the cost of adding the second photographer and adding an additional seat/plate at dinner.

Saving money anywhere is generally a good thing, and unfortunately, adding a second photographer to wedding day doesn’t help do that.

Thats it. There really isn’t any other downside.

I even made the title red so it seems like it equals the numerous pros below.

Having talked about the only downside, let’s get into the upsides to having a second shooter. But let’s not talk about the obvious ones; everyone knows having a second person with a camera in hand generally means more photos and the ability to get photos of the groom & bride getting ready at different locations. Assuming those are a given, there are quite a few other things I think are overlooked and underrated when it comes to adding a second photographer to wedding day.

Pros of having a second photographer

Ability to take risks

This, to me, is the single most important reason why a second photographer is worth their weight in gold.

Every wedding has to have certain photos of specific moments that happen once. Take the first dance for example. Every reception needs a photo of the bride over the groom’s shoulder and vice versa, as well as interaction shots. In the few minutes we have to capture those moments, we now can allocate a second set of eyes to photograph those same moments from a more unorthodox perspective.

The ability to experiment in those moments give us the chance to elevate imagery to a whole new level.

Timeline Insurance

Timelines rarely translate perfectly, and efficiency is key to a seamless experience for you and your guests. Every wedding needs day-of adjustments, and having a second photographer gives us the ability to start/prep whats next while we finish the task(s) at hand.

If hair & makeup takes longer than anticipated, we can have our second photographer get to the ceremony site and photograph family as they arrive.

If we need a few extra minutes to capture photos of you two and the wedding party, we can send our second photographer to capture cocktail hour and the details of your reception prior to your guests entering.

That same ideology and methodology translates to many parts of wedding day. Having a second photographer gives us the ability to be in two places at once and ensure your time is used as efficiently as possible.

“Contextual Undeniability”

Full disclosure, I am not sure if that is even a word or a thing but follow me on this one.

Generally speaking, the only time a groom holds a match to the fire that is a bride on wedding day is how he reacts to seeing her for the first time. If that moment is during the ceremony, I need to be positioned at the front of that aisle to see everyone walk down.

In that moment, I can always turn to the left and grab a photo of the groom’s reaction, and I think people will get it. There is a well-dressed groom crying as he looks out of frame with a handful of others dressed well behind him. He must be seeing his bride for the first time.

Photographing that same moment from the opposite end of the aisle gives us the opportunity to put the bride and her father in the foreground and capture the grooms reaction to what’s in front of him. Being able to capture everything creating that moment in frame makes the context undeniable. Thus, “Contextual Undeniability.”

Creative Competition & Support

Wedding photographers, like many other creatives, are driven by challenge and competition. If I see a photo I think is awesome, I want to create something even greater. Having a built-in “competitor” creates a great environment that generally leads to better photos and more creativity.

The other side of that coin is having a second photographer to help with taking a vision from concept. Sometimes a fresh perspective from another creative can help take a good photo to a great photo with just a few adjustments the other wouldn’t have thought of.

Guest Count

Wedding day has a ton of awesome things going on at any given moment. As your guest count rises, so do the odds of awesome things happening at the same time.

Even the most talented photographer in the world has limitations on being in two places at once. Having a second photographer in attendance gives us a better shot at telling more of the little stories that create the novel of wedding day.

Ensuring Greatness

Ultimately, there are very few weddings I wouldn’t feel confident covering by myself. Will the photos be spectacular? Absolutely.

The real questions are: will it be as great as it could have been with two photographers? Will the day run as smoothly and efficiently? And will we get the best value for your investment? The honest answer for most events is probably not.

I am wildly confident that every client we get the chance to work with will love their photos, regardless of the number of photographers at their event; however, knowing that things could have been even better is a tough pill to swallow. I want to make sure everyone we get to work with gets the very best, and having a second photographer in attendance gives us the best chance to achieve that.

Though this conversation became a bit lopsided, let’s not forget that final decisions are yours to make. Your photographer, much like any other vendor, is there to help guide you to the best possible outcome. Communication is key in that process. Be sure to explain to your photographer your vision for wedding day and what you hope to capture from the day.

If you are not adding a second photographer solely due to budget restraints, that’s 100% understandable. If that’s the case, ask your photographer if there are timeline adjustments or other changes to ensure that the most important things to you are covered.

Here at Eighty Eight Photo, we welcome open conversation about any concerns surrounding wedding day coverage. If you have interest in working with us or have questions regarding your specific event, always feel free to CONTACT US.