Benefits of a Second Photographer For Your Wedding
It is a question we get asked from almost every client! Do I need a second wedding photographer? Is it worth the money? Do I still need it if my wedding is small? The short answer: Yes! It is a common misconception that you only need a second photographer if you’re having a big wedding.
Throughout our many years in the wedding industry, we have found that adding on a second photographer to your package will not only improve the quality of photos you receive, but make your day even more stress-free (no matter how many aunts, uncles, and 2nd cousins you have to invite)!
WHAT IS A SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER?
It is actually pretty simple. A second photographer that works along with your primary photographer to capture multiple angles, emotions, and separate locations during your wedding day. Think of it like this. You will want to be able to have photos of your soon-to-be spouse’s reaction to you walking down the aisle, right? But at the same time, you want pictures of you walking down the aisle. If you only have one photographer, that may be difficult to accomplish. A second photographer allows these moments to be captured at the same time but from different viewpoints.
Here are some of the top benefits of having a second photographer for your day.
Couples today are steering away from only having the traditional set of photos taken on their wedding day. But no matter what, you still need to make sure you get those family and wedding party photos. Your main photographer will be making sure you have all the photos on your shot list, but they will have to miss some of moments in time you’ll want to remember. During the portraits, if grandpa tells a joke that has grandma giggling, your second photographer can make sure to catch it! And when you walk down the aisle, one sole photographer can either get your fiancé’s reaction or yours. Which do you choose to be photographed? Even something as simple as getting a photo of the napkin placements you spent three days agonizing over- you deserve to remember it! Having a second photographer there allows those candid and detail shots to be taken much more frequently. Because no matter how talented your lead photographer is, they can’t be in two places at once!
Picture it: you lean in for your first kiss as a married couple, the crowd quiets in suspense, and a giant gust of wind comes through and your hair gets swept right in front of your face! Good news, there is a much smaller chance that the shot would be missed, since you have two people capturing each moment from different perspectives. And not to mention the lenses! Something we don’t really think about is the technical aspect behind the camera. Close up and wide shots require the use of different lenses. So, while your lead photographer can be taking a wide shot of the whole wedding party, your second can grab some close ups.
Having two photographers for a wedding allow for different perspectives to be captured at the same time. This makes a huge difference when it comes to your first look and your ceremony when you want to capture both reactions. This is great because, at the end of the night, you end up with a wedding album that will tell the story from both perspectives. Maybe even some moments that you didn’t even see!
If it is not in your budget or timeframe to add on hours with your main photographer, it will be crucial to make sure that every moment you have is captured as efficiently as possible! While you two are off taking photos together, the second photographer can get some bridal or groomsmen photos out of the way. Or say you have decided to a different area for the wedding party photos- one photographer can stay back with the rest of the guests to make sure that you don’t miss a thing! You will be less stressed about the timing, and you’ll be able to have more freedom in the photos you want to take.
If your wedding budget is the only reason that you want to skip having a second photographer at your wedding, we have a little known secret to help. Most couples don’t know that you can request your photographer to be at your wedding for fewer hours than they suggest. On average, your wedding itself will last 5 - 6 hours, and the photographers generally plan to be there for all of it.
But, you can have a second wedding photographer there for only 5 hours to assist with capturing moments in the morning. They can get all of the photographs that you want, then leave the ceremony or reception, depending on your timeframe you’ve booked them for. This frees you up to hit the dance floor and get your party on. Most photographers understand that budgets are significant and will work with you to get all the desired images within the shorter timeframe. Cutting the number of hours for your primary photographer will free up some funds in the budget to hire the second one.
Team work makes the dream work, friends! Having a second photographer for a wedding there to lend a hand to your lead photographer makes your day (and theirs) run much more smoothly. From setting up lighting for different photos, to corralling all the friends and family in one area and posing them to make the perfect picture, this is something that will allow your main photographer to focus on what is most important: capturing your special day. Some photographers work better with an assistant on hand. A second photographer can fill this roll by holding additional cameras and equipment to create efficiency. While the second photographer is there to support and supplement the lead photographer's coverage (which may include assisting with lighting or helping with equipment as needed), be sure that the second is also experienced enough to shoot too!
At Bellagala, your photographer will shoot an unlimited number of photos and cull them down to the top 700 that most accurately represent your wedding. However, if you have a second photographer there too, there will be even more photos and moments in time to choose from! With more options, you are sure to have the highest quality final product possible. Quantity and quality, folks. Who says you can’t have both?
No matter how talented your primary photographer is, there is no way they can be in more than one place at a time. Hiring a second photographer means that while the lead is capturing the bridal portraits and family photos, they can be capturing the cocktail hour and reception. You may not think that this is too important now, but it is a part of the wedding experience that you miss out on because you’re taking photos
