To have or not to have two photographers at your wedding? There’s a lot that goes on during your wedding day. Imagine all the meticulous details and emphasis you put into your day that you’ve been planning for over a year or at least your lifetime that may not get captured – how would you feel once you received your portrait gallery and you don’t see those details, but instead they are a faint memory?

Capturing all the important moments as well as all the things you’ve put into your day shouldn’t be overlooked. Here’s why I believe having two wedding photographers is truly an absolute MUST for your big day! Let me tell you my top 6 reasons why:

1. More Coverage, More Photos

You get more WAYYYY more coverage than just with one shooter regardless if they overshoot. I used to think as a wedding photographer when I first started shooting weddings, I could do it all because I’m an over shooter, but hear me out… There’s NOTHING like having a second shooter at your wedding. Once my husband started second shooting for me, I don’t think I will ever go back to being a solo shooter unless the couple absolutely requests it. I always push two shooters for my couples today because there’s such an advantage – more photos, more memories and more reliability.

2. Multi Task + Conquer

Your main shooter has an assistant for your day and they can either hold lighting for a particular shot or they can go capture another part of the day in case things are running a little bit behind schedule. For instance, they can go capture your guests eating the hor dourves you hand selected for cocktail hour while you can savour the time as newlyweds getting your portraits taken that will be displayed in your own home in just a few weeks from now. Also, your second can go capture the groom getting ready while the lead photographer is with the bride getting ready. Knocking out two things at once if time is crunched is a big win!

3. You Can’t Redo

Chances of missing anything from your wedding day is pretty impossible because you have two shooters. From the details you’ve put into your day and to those group shots here and there throughout the day… An extra set of eyes as a photographer is great way to make sure everything is captured because the day is busy in itself. You can’t redo your wedding day!

4. Working Efficiently + Back Up, Baby!

Having a husband and wife team is seamless. The second shooter spouse knows what they need to get even before asking the lead shooter. If they aren’t a husband and wife duo, that’s completely fine too! As long as they have worked together long enough or several times prior then they will be able to read each other across the room and know exactly what they need to get before asking. Having two photographers speeds up the process for group photos and ensures that if one camera fails, there’s always a backup. It adds peace of mind knowing that every important detail will be captured. Unfortunately, technology can fail which would cause moments to be missed. However, if having two photographers ensures there’s always a backup in case a technical issue arises. Also, if the lead shooter’s shot wasn’t what they anticipated, you have a back up!!!!

5. Different Views

You get different view perspectives with two shooters. Different angles and/or candids a lead photographer likely won’t be able to see because they are basically glued to the couple throughout the day! This is perfect when building an album. Imagine having the same shot, but with different angles or imagine a movie that wasn’t just shot head on with only one view – wouldn’t it make it a wow factor? It’s literally the coolest thing ever because it story tells your wedding day from a different view point!

6. Never Regret

You will NEVER be ungrateful nor never regret that you invested into two photographers for your wedding. Trust me on this. If your budget allows, do it. Investing in a second shooter is definitely worthwhile.

So how do you go about your hiring a second, you may ask? A professional and seasoned photographer should be able to take care of that for you. Either they will have their spouse who is their second photographer, a close friend in the wedding photography industry who works with them often or they will have associate photographers of their own that they have trained.

In conclusion, hiring a second wedding photographer ensures that every special moment of your big day is beautifully captured from multiple angles and perspectives. From candid guest reactions to behind-the-scenes details, a second shooter enhances the overall storytelling of your portraits when you look back years from now. If you want comprehensive coverage and peace of mind knowing no moment will be missed, investing in a second photographer is a decision you absolutely won’t regret.