Second shooter – do you need one?

Having a second shooter at your wedding seems to be all the rage. Many couples want two photographers there to get perhaps twice as many photos. Do you need a second shooter? As it is the answer to many questions – it depends.

It really depends on how many photos you want and what you want photographed. In my mind one of the best reasons to have a second shooter is to have one photographer with the bride as she’s getting ready and the other with the groom as he’s getting ready. Otherwise, one photographer will have to travel to both locations, which can be easy if they are getting ready in a single location. Many other times, the photographer brings along a second photographer who really isn’t a photographer at all. I’ve seen photographers bring a sister, a dad, or some other person who is pretty much a stand-in.

Most of the weddings I have shot have been with just me, although there have been times I’ve brought a second shooter along because that’s what the couple wanted. The last time I used a second shooter, I did probably have twice as many photos to offer the bride and groom because my second went and did his own thing.

However sometimes those additional photos may not be worth it. I worked a wedding this last fall as the videographer. The couple hired a different photographer, and there were two very young people there shooting the wedding. I was flabbergasted to see that both of these photographers stuck together the entire time and each shot the same thing. So, the couple probably got twice as many shots, but I’m guessing they were duplicate shots.

So, if you hire a second photographer, make sure they will agree to shoot in different spots. Also know that a second photographer is going to cost you more money, so decide if that’s going to be worth it. In many cases, one able photographer will be able to get all the shots you want.

So when it comes to the decision on having a second photographer, think carefully and make sure that’s what you really want.