Do I Need a Second Photographer at My Wedding?
There’s a lot going on at your wedding. Understatement of the year, right?
You plan this day for months — for some, maybe years. You don’t want to miss one moment.
While you’re crying over the letter your partner wrote you, he’s putting on his tie. When you’re walking down the aisle, your groom has tears in his eyes. And while you’re on one side of the event space cutting the cake, your nephew just plopped on his grandmother’s lap and she’s rocking them back and forth in her wheelchair on the dance floor.
If you’ve only got one photographer trying to capture all those perfect moments, something’s bound to get missed – even if you’ve hired the most seasoned professional.
And as a wedding photographer who’s used to running around like my hair is on fire and I have a bee in my shoe, I know just how crucial it is to have a second set of hands and another camera capturing every moment I can’t.
This article will help you understand what a second photographer is, what they do, and why it’s necessary to have one at your upcoming wedding.
I’ll talk about the pros of a second shooter…
They capture moments the main photographer can’t
They capture moments from different angles
They can take more artistic, creative shots of your wedding
They’ll help ensure a seamless wedding day
…and the cons of a second shooter:
They can be an additional cost
They may be less experienced than your primary photographer
When you’re done reading, you’ll feel more confident about including one in your wedding photography contract.
What is a Second Shooter Wedding Photographer?
A second photographer, also referred to as a second shooter, is a photographer who is contracted by the main photographer to help capture the wedding day. Typically, but not always, they have less experience than the primary photographer and they take their cues from them.
A second shooter may be hired by the main photographer just for that wedding, they may regularly work together, or they may be a business partner.
The second shooter takes photographs of the events that the main photographer might not be able to attend because they’re photographing something else. A wedding day’s timeline can be a bit all over the place from time to time. It’s not uncommon for multiple things to be happening at once during your day.
For example, as you get into your dress, the groomsmen are getting ready in the groom’s suite. While the main photographer will take photos of you getting into your dress and being zipped up by a loved one, the second shooter will pop over to the groom’s suite to capture the camaraderie between the groomsmen.
When timelines don’t overlap and both photographers are in the same place at once, the second shooter captures another angle of the events.
A second shooter is particularly important during the processional. One photographer will focus on you walking down the aisle with your beaming smile (or tear-streaked face). The other photographer will capture the groom’s first reaction.
Wedding photographers will rarely ask you to find your own second shooter. They usually work with a handful of photographers and will contract them for that event on their end.
Does a Second Shooter Cost More?
Obviously, a second shooter will be paid for their work. However, they most likely won’t be the one doing any of the editing or backend work the main photographer will do (unless, perhaps, the second shooter is a business partner). So it goes without saying that they won’t cost as much as the main photographer will.
The fee for a second shooter can be charged two ways. First, the second shooter’s fee could already be reflected in the wedding photography package’s price tag – it’s built into the package price.
A second shooter can also be offered as a package add-on. Opt in, and you could either pay a set hourly fee or a lump sum to have the second photographer there all day.
Can I Pass on a Second Shooter if It’s Included in the Package?
In most instances, no, you can’t pass on a second shooter when the photographer has included it as part of the wedding photography package.
Sure, photography packages can be customized to a certain extent, but if a second photographer is included in the package, it’s for a good reason. Some photographers are very reliant on having a second pair of eyes during the wedding day. They want a second shooter to ensure they deliver on their promise of capturing every moment of your big day.
Should I Pay for a Second Shooter?
In many ways, second shooters are like paying for an insurance policy or a backup plan. It’s an investment most couples are very happy they made.
Think about it this way: You buy a new smartphone, and the first thing you do is back up all your data, right? Today’s devices are powerful and innovative, but they can still fail. That’s why you backup up your contacts, your photos, and everything else you’d be lost without if your phone failed.
Having a second shooter is kind of like that. Just like your data backup will save you if your phone glitches, a second photographer can save the day if your primary photographer is otherwise occupied. Maybe your main photographer is in another room. The second shooter will swoop in to make sure you get the shot no matter what — capturing every photo and ensuring a seamless wedding day for you. You won’t have to spend any time worrying about all the best moments being captured.
There are also times when the second shooter will have the opportunity to be more creative with their shots while the main photographer is focused on the “main” events. For instance, they might capture sweet candid shots of your parents overseeing the day. They might take creative shots of the venue and intricate details, like the table settings, the guest book, and the favors.
Investing in a Second Shooter
A second photographer, or second shooter, is a photographer who is contracted by the primary wedding photographer to assist in capturing the wedding day. Second shooters can capture moments the main photographer might not be able to. They’re also able to take photographs from different angles and capture more artist shots.
Though second shooters can incur an additional cost, their fee is often already included in the price of wedding photography packages. A second shooter may also have less experience than the primary photographer.
A second shooter will ensure that every moment of your wedding day is captured so you can leave the worrying behind and enjoy the day.
As a central Minnesota photographer who photographs weddings across the state, I know you want your wedding day to be perfect and you want every moment captured. That’s why I include a second shooter in the price of each of my wedding packages.
To learn more about my wedding photography packages, check out my pricing page.
