The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words ‘second shooter’ is probably the JFK assassination. But we’re not sifting through conspiracy theories here. We’re talking about doubling down on photographers for the most important day of your life. Your wedding.
Should I Book a Second Shooter for My Wedding?
I can usually handle a full wedding by myself with no problem. However, in certain situations, there are many benefits of having a second shooter at a wedding. This is usually down to the size of the occasion; some weddings are simply bigger than others. But sometimes a creative decision can inform the choice. Other times there might be two things happening simultaneously that need to be captured.
‘Do I need two photographers at my wedding’, I hear you ask? The answer will be different for everyone. Either way, it doesn’t hurt to have a look at the benefits of a second shooter. Here are the top five!
1: Your Photographer Cannot Bi-Locate
It would be nice if they could. But they can’t. However, there will be a time when they wish they could be in two places at once. I’ve been there myself. It’s just impossible to be everywhere at once during the beautiful chaos of a wedding and tough decisions have to be made on the fly with a single shooter. I’m an experienced Cronulla wedding photographer so I know how to make those calls, but with a second shooter I can literally be in two places at once.
For example, before the ceremony, both the bride and the groom are getting ready in separate locations. With a second shooter, I can capture both parties in full, rather than splitting my time between them half and half. There are so many moments worth capturing at a wedding; due to practical constraints not all of them make the lens. A second shooter doubles down on those moments.
2: It’ll Save You Time
Weddings run on a tight schedule. We all know that. Having a second shooter present allows me, the main photographer, to cover all the set-ups at double speed. This isn’t so important for things like the ceremony, which run at their own speed. But when it comes to the posed photos and family shots, it will cut shooting time in half. This can be a blessing for some weddings, particularly larger ones, that could do with the extra time to spare. A gorgeous beach sunset waits for no couple!
A second shooter also means that we can stagger break times, ensuring that between us, we don’t miss a single moment. I’m usually eating on the fly anyway, but this way cameras will roll throughout the ceremony!
3: Expanded Creativity
How many photographers are needed for a wedding? Usually one, depending on the size of the event. But if you want to make the most of your day, you should seriously consider adding in a second shooter.
Two minds are better than one, right? A team working together behind the scenes will naturally produce more interesting work. It will always stick within the brief we’ve discussed together beforehand, of course. But having a second shooter means that the creativity will be electric. We can discuss and suggest ideas, building on top of what the other photographer is capturing and imagining. A second shooter also provides a sort of safety net that allows for more dynamic, interesting and less traditional shots as an option.
As well as expanded creativity, you also get expanded amounts of shots. You’ll essentially double up on snaps of your wedding, which leaves me great freedom to only choose the very best of the best for the final selection.
4: Different Angles on the Same Moment
Some wedding moments are more important than others. Some demand to be shot. We all know what they are; bride coming up the aisle, the rings going on, the kiss, the first dance. No wedding photographer worth their salt is going to drop the ball on those.
However, we can only shoot one angle at a time. A second shooter provides the opportunity for a different point of view on the same event. A good example of this would be when a couple sees each other for the first time down the aisle. I can only be at one end or the other; with a second photographer we can position ourselves at either end and capture the (hopefully joyous) reaction of both bride and groom.
5: Details, Details, Details
A second shooter isn’t always focused on people however. A lot of time and effort goes into making your wedding venue look just the way you want it to. All those little aesthetic details you agonised over, well, a second shooter can capture them all while I’m focused on the guests and the happy couple.
I’ve shot some amazing venues and beautiful scenery over the years. When you shoot a Cronulla wedding, gorgeous views are pretty much par for the course. If you want to capture every last detail of your day and really invoke the atmosphere of the event, then a second shooter might be the right call for you.
My goal is for these photos to evoke the memories of that joyous day for years to come. Sometimes noticing the little things can help recreate the occasion.
Ultimately, my goal is always to tell your love story. Sometimes, a second shooter can help me do just that. I only choose collaborators that I know will fit with my style, so together we can capture the truth and joy behind your relationship. A second shooter might not be for you; that’s totally fine too. If you want to chat about options, just hit me up!