Should you hire a second shooter for your wedding?

Aug 4

So you’ve found your DREAM wedding photographer, and now you’re wondering if adding a second shooter is right for you? I know, it can be confusing!

Well, I gotchu. In this blog, I’ve broken down 3 big reasons why you would or would not want to make this addition to your package.

If any of these are true for you, you might want to consider hiring a second shooter for your wedding…

1. If you and your boo are getting ready in 2 different locations AND want coverage of both
2. If you want coverage of cocktail hour
3. If you want more photos in general

1. If you and your boo are getting ready in 2 different locations and want coverage of both…

It can be really complicated for one photographer to run back and forth between both partners getting ready, especially if you’re in different locations and getting ready at the same time. Having a second shooter makes this exceedingly more simple, and guarantees that nothing is missed!

If, however, one partner is less concerned about those “getting ready” photos, you can reserve that time for the other partner. For example, I rarely shoot the groomsmen getting ready - usually because it doesn’t take them all morning to get dressed haha. But don’t worry, I get plenty of laughs and candids later on!

2. If you want coverage of cocktail hour…

Cocktail hour is traditionally for the guests to mingle and get a drink while you and your family get photos. A lot of my couples like to join in at the end, which I LOVE! You paid for those hors d'oeuvres, you should most definitely have some!

If, however, you don’t think you’ll make it and want coverage of your guests mingling during that time – hiring a second shooter is a good idea!

I’ve also had couples skip cocktail hour and take a minute to chill – even if they do have time after photos (where are my introverts at? 🙋🏼‍♀️) In this case, your photographer could pop over and get some shots while you chill!

3. If you want more photos in general…

Before you hire a second shooter for this reason, I would ask your main photographer how many photos they deliver for weddings (you should be asking this before you hire them anyways – unless you don’t care about the number of photos, in which case this whole section wouldn’t matter to you lol).

I am a textbook “over-shooter” haha. And I deliver as many of those photos as I can – even when a photo is out of focus, I make it ~art~ hehe.

Every photographer is different though – some photographers actually have some self-control (wouldn’t know) over how many times they click the magic button, so having a second shooter would give you more photos in general of the whole day.

Lastly - here’s an option for someone who relates to reasons #1 or #2: hire a second shooter just for the first part of the day! Get that extra coverage for the busiest part of the day, and then just have your main shooter stay for the reception/dancing. You’ll save money and I promise you won’t miss those extra dancing photos!