Why Adding a Second Shooter Sometimes Makes Sense

You’re booking me to photograph your wedding. Why add a second shooter? There are several reasons why adding a second shooter is a smart thing to do for certain weddings.

Reason 1: More Relaxed Wedding Day Timing. A single photographer can’t be in two places at once. That’s fine if your wedding, reception and lodgings are all at the same location and everything is within a short walk. The photographer can easily access everybody and be right there for all the events of the day. But, if you’re getting ready across town from your husband-to-be, the wedding day quickly becomes a lesson in time management. If this happens, most times I’ll arrange to photograph the Groom earlier in the day for his getting ready shots, then I’ll go and do the same for the Bride. It works well but means the day’s timing has to be cleverly orchestrated. This is especially important if the Bride is spending the morning at the Salon and also wants shots of hair, makeup and nails being done. Sometimes I have to hop in the car and race across town a few times. But if I have a second shooter on staff for the day, one photographer can shadow the Bride and the other photographer can shadow the groom. This can save you some time and stress and make the day more relaxed for everyone.

Reason 2: Ability to Photograph More Guests at Larger Weddings. Most photographers will agree that weddings with over 100 guests will normally benefit from having a second shooter. It simply means you have more people covering the larger amount of guests. One photographer will stick close to the Bride and Groom and wedding party while the other will focus on guests enjoying the festivities. More feet on the ground mean more candids, informal group shots and the ability to capture more of the fun moments during the day.

Reason 3: More Comprehensive Ceremony Coverage. With two shooters, one photographer can focus closely on the Bride and Groom and the actual ceremony while the other can watch for people’s emotions and things happening with the guests. You’ll also benefit from multiple angles and different viewpoints. In some cases, Uncle Bob with his video camcorder will stand up right in front of the photographer as the wedding kiss is happening. If this happens with two shooters and photographer number one is blocked… photographer number two is at the ready. For certain weddings we keep in touch via earbud transceivers to make sure we cover each other’s backs.

Reason 4: More Dramatic Angles and Wider Coverage. With two photographers, you are also able to benefit from one photographer capturing the details on a close up level, like when you slip on your wedding rings, to a wider perspective of shots from the back of the Church showing the light streaming in the stained glass windows. The two shots will be captured simultaneously, yet will offer you very different perspectives for your keepsake album.

The photos that follow are a few examples from Poppy and John’s wedding late last year. You’ll see how having the second shooter really added to the range of shots we were able to photograph.

In this first example, I was with Poppy photographing her getting ready and spending time with her Bridesmaids while Sheryl, my second shooter, was with John as he was getting ready in town a few miles away.

In this second example in the church during the ceremony, I was photographing from one angle while Sheryl captured the second shot a split second later. I love her perspective as Poppy smiled at a family member.

And again in the following example, Sheryl was shooting the ceremony from behind the back of the church through the rear doors while I grabbed a shot of the flower girls joking around on the left side of the church. With only one shooter we would have missed one or the other.

And finally Sheryl and I took these two shots that follow almost simultaneously. They were both taken as the Bride and Groom entered the reception tent and everyone was cheering and clapping. Mine was from the front and Sheryl’s was from behind.

I hope this posting helps with a few ideas and suggestions as to why sometimes it makes sense to add a second shooter. A big thanks as always to my second shooter and colleague Sheryl Lanzel.

If you have any questions about needing a second shooter for your wedding please email or call. Cheers, Martin