1 or 2 photographers for a wedding? Is it better to have 2 Photographers? In short no. You do not need 2 wedding photographers to cover your day. The right wedding photographer will have enough experience and skill to document your wedding.
HOVEVER, with weddings changing and evolving at a phenomenal pace, and social media providing plenty of wedding inspiration for us all to drool over, having 2 photographers for your wedding is useful. Some of these ‘Insta perfect’ shots that grace our screens daily, need 2 photographers. It’s literally impossible to be in two places at once. To get the reaction of both partners at the same time… that’s 2 photographers. However much you spend on your photographer they’re only human. 1 or 2 photographers for a wedding does depend on what you want for your day.
So before you dismiss the idea as nonsense, there are some valid reasons for 2 wedding photographers on your big day.
Preparations
Coverage of both partners pre wedding preparations is a huge deal right now. It’s actually a great time to photograph some real emotions whilst you are not surrounded by guests. One of the only times in the day that you will be on your own (or with a limited number of people at least). So it’s a great opportunity for some raw documentary style shots.
If you are both getting ready at the same wedding venue, 1 photographer can flit between you both, of course they can, but it can be a rush. This heavily relies on some strict timings. Knowing weddings as I do, things tend to overrun. Having 2 wedding photographers means both partners are covered without compromise. It helps cut out the awkward staged posing for one of you if you are getting ready at separate venues, keeping your wedding photography as natural as possible.
Entrance
Seeing both partner’s reactions to each other for the first time is another big one…thanks Instagram! Couples have seen shots on social media and said, “oh yes I want that” Well that’s great news, but again that’s 2 photographers. Emotions are hard to control when you see the person you love walking in or waiting for you at the end of the aisle. I’ve been there. I cried. I cried an ugly cry. If you want to capture both sets of tears, its probably best you get 2 photographers. Wedding venue restrictions permitting, you could have one photographer at the front and one at the back of the room. That way both partners reactions can be captured. Perfecto!
Take these shots of our couple for example. One photographer in front, one across the lake. Same moment different perspective.
Group shots
As a wedding photographer who is not a fan of staged awkward shots, organising the group photos can be a little hectic and feel forced. Quite literally sometimes! Especially when Aunts and uncles refuse to get in shots or when bridesmaids vanish into thin air. Having another photographer means more than just the extra shots. It’s having an assistant to run and find a missing bridesmaid, an extra voice to rally the troops. You need a veil moving, a cousin locating, or a bouquet found, that extra photographer you booked comes in handy.
Welcome drinks
While your guests are sitting pretty with a glass of bubbly, enjoying the cocktail hour you have planned, one photographer can be shooting the giggles, the cuddles (covid permitting of course) the “let me see the rings” moments and the second photographer can be getting all those finer details you spent months planning. The room décor, the table decorations, seating plan, the cake and the flowers, everything covered.
1 or 2 Photographers for your wedding: Couple goals
The moments I live for at weddings. The couple shots. Not the awkward 1980s poses that are enough to make your skin want to craw from your body. I mean the giggles, the fun, the “wow we really did this” moments. Yes to some portraits, but an even bigger yes to the in between moments. The fleeting glances and the smiles that come naturally. Having a second photographer means that for those beautiful sunset shots, city wedding walks, corn fields or festival party shots, you get a different point of view. That can be magical.
Same moment caught from different angles. It’s a whole other perspective and one worth exploring if you budget allows. 1 or 2 Photographers for a wedding is a decision only you can make.
Matt and Michelle had 2 photographers. Same moment 2 different points of view.
You can find more of my wedding photography here https://www.sarahcarterphotography.co.uk/portfolio/
1 or 2 Photographers for your wedding must mean photographers and not just a mate from the pub with a camera!
If you do think 2 photographers is for you make sure that your second is not just there to carry equipment and make the numbers up. You need someone who is equivalent to the main photographer you book in skill and experience. People that have a proven track record and work together frequently. You need a team. An A team, not a photographer and their mate from the pub. Ask your photographer what options they have for a second shooter. Most photographers will have a network of reliable people they frequently work with.
I work along side some highly talented photographers. For this blog I have used images from Matt and Michelle’s Wedding at the beautiful Stubton Hall in Newark. If you are looking for a venue you can see more here https://www.stubtonhall.co.uk/weddings I was the second photographer working alongside Adrian Dewey. You can check out his other work here https://www.weddingsbyadriandewey.com/