5 reasons you need a 2nd photographer for your wedding

As if choosing the perfect wedding photographer wasn’t too much work! Now your photographer is asking if you’d like to add on a 2nd shooter! You’re probably thinking  -  I just spent all this time finding someone with the style I like, is a good personality match and fits my budget! Why on earth would I need a 2nd photographer?

Here are 5 reasons why!

1. Believe it or not, not even your perfect photographer can be in two places at once! If you’ve ever been checking out a wedding gallery and thought - wow I love all the photos of the bride and groom getting ready - you need a 2nd shooter! 

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2. During the ceremony, the primary photographer is focused on capturing the bride as she comes up the aisle. Which means that they don’t get a chance to capture the emotion in the groom’s face! They also can’t get wide shots from the back or get shots of the audience as their focus is on the bride and groom. A second photographer allows the primary photographer to focus on the ceremony, the vows etc. while they capture the groom, the ambiance and audience reactions.

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3. If you’ve ever been to someone else’s wedding, you’ve probably seen how hectic it can get. There’s a strict timeline, people get lost trying to get to and from each location and one of the cousins is drunk and making a scene! Having a 2nd photographer means that everything runs nice and smoothly. They can assist the primary photographer by helping them with setting up lights, directing subjects and calling out names to get everyone organized for the formals!

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4. Even photographers have to eat! After shooting the bride and groom getting ready, the ceremony, then the formals and finally the start of the reception - your photographer is probably ready to feint! This is usually the time that your photographer takes a short break to rest and have something to eat before the first dance. What this means is that while the primary photographer is eating, he is missing out on capturing the MCs, the food, the bride and groom visiting each table and catching up with friends and family! With a 2nd shooter, your photographers can switch off for their dinner break so their are no gaps in coverage and missed moments.

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5. The first dance is always the last big moment of a wedding and your photographer knows they only have a couple minutes to capture it. This means that your primary photographer will put all of their focus on the couple - they have to capture all those dance moves you practiced - right! Having a 2nd photographer means you’ll get some wider shots, audience reactions and different angles.

While not every couple absolutely needs a 2nd shooter, it is probably the most overlooked part of comparing wedding packages.  Some photographers include them in their packages while others offer it as an add-on. So next time you’re comparing photographers wedding packages, be sure to take a look at whether a 2nd shooter is included or not - it could make a huge impact on your wedding photography experience. 

If you’re looking for the perfect wedding photographer, Focal can help! Browse our diverse selection of verified photographers in Victoria BC and compare styles, packages and prices in a convenient and transparent way. You also might get lucky as many of our amazing photographers tend to 2nd shoot for each other, which means you’re getting 2 fantastic vetted and verified photographers!