According to The Knot, 76% of 2000 people confessed there were things about their wedding they should have done differently, the photographer being on the top 3 wedding budget regrets. Last time, I shared some tips on hiring a professional wedding photographer. Today, we’re answering a different question:

Do you need a second photographer?

Before we dive-in into why you’d need a second photographer. First, let’s get clear on what a second photographer is not.

This is what a second photographer is NOT:

• A second photographer is not someone who holds the lights for the main photographer.
• A second photographer is not someone who carries the main photographer’s gear and equipment.
• A second photographer is not someone who gathers everyone for group pictures.

All those examples describe an assistant rather than a second photographer.

So, what’s the difference between an assistant and a second photographer?

An assistant is crucial during the wedding day. An assistant is someone who helps with the logistics such as GPS directions between locations, parking the car, keeping an eye on the gear and moving the gear from place to place.

Having an assistant on your wedding day is a huge help, and really gives me the opportunity to focus on nothing but the wedding itself. The logistics were taken care of, the gears are organized and everyone is present at the group pictures.

A second photographer, on the other hand, gets extra angles that the main photographer can’t get.

Think about the first look. The main photographer focuses on the bride and second photographer on the groom.

Think about your dad giving a speech, your reactions, and the guests’ reaction.

Think about the first kiss and the celebration of your guests.

And all the little details in between.

Not only that, but there are different scenarios where the main photographer can’t be in two places at once.

While I wish I could, as it would make running a photography business, being a student and doing the laundry SO MUCH EASIER.

Most of the time, a bride and a groom are getting ready at locations far apart from each other, which makes it difficult to cover all the two sessions with ease.

However, I’ve been able to work on the timeline with couples and figure ways to photograph it solo without problems, for example by starting at one house and then move to the next house before going to the first look or ceremony. This is not always possible, so perhaps you need a second photographer in this case.

I understand, stalking, booking and paying for one photographer is already hard work. But before you brush off the idea of having more than one photographer at your wedding, know that there are some valid reasons for having more than one. You definitely want your walk down the aisle and your partner’s reaction to it, your vows, the speeches, your parent’s reactions – you get the point.

So much is happening simultaneously on your wedding day and they’re all worth remembering, from the getting ready to the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. In the end, it all depends on your wedding and how you want it to be documented. Figure out if you really need a second photographer, or if the assistant will give you everything you desire.

If you have any questions, I’d love to answer them!  Contact me here