One vs. Two Wedding Photographers: Which is Best for Your Day?
On our pre-wedding consultations, we’re often asked:
‘What are the benefits of hiring two wedding photographers?’
So it felt like a smart thing to write a quick blog post about!
In the past when weddings were smaller, more contained events, it was common to hire a single photographer who would cover the whole event themselves. Modern weddings have a tendency towards a greater variety of activities and events happening on the day and, in response many wedding couples are opting for dual coverage to ensure complete coverage.
There are a few benefits to that style of coverage (especially with us), so here's a quick piece to help you understand what the benefits are, and to help you make the decision for yourself.
What are the benefits of hiring two photographers versus one?
I’m sure you’ve heard it said:
‘The day just goes by so fast’.
And it is absolutely true.
It vanishes so quickly. I’m sure that you’ve also heard the old adage: ‘the photos are the only thing that remains after the wedding’. Which is sort of true. You obviously get to keep the dress, and the suit, and the presents, and all the other bits and pieces from the day. But so often those end up in boxes, and you never actually get them out to look at them.
The photos are the memories that can be put on the wall, made into an album, and enjoyed every day. They can actually become part of your household and your lives - and that’s why we love the medium!
It’s also one of the reasons we love shooting as a duo.
Twice the Cameras, Twice the Creative Eyes
It might sound obvious, but having two photographers means having twice as many cameras and twice as many creative eyes on your wedding day, all looking to record and cover everything that’s happening. So many of our couple’s comment after receiving their gallery that ‘they had no idea that was even happening!’.
Which says so much about why having two photographers makes such a difference.
Real talk: We can shoot a wedding solo. People have been doing it for years.
It takes skill, attention, and dedication, but it can absolutely be done, and you’ll receive fantastic pictures as a result.
What is significantly harder is being in two places at the same time.
Shooting as a duo gives us latitude for one of us to concentrate on our couples and their interactions, while the other can blend in-and-out around the guests in order to capture different angles, little moments throughout the day, and allow for more creativity in capturing things like confetti throwing, reaction shots as you walk down the aisle, and even shooting video without distracting from the main event.
Ensuring Guests Beyond the Wedding Couple Are Covered.
While we’ll never promise coverage of ‘every guest’, having two photographers gives a little more space for capturing images of more of your guests without compromising on the two of you. So whether thats hijinks during the speeches; your nephew enjoying a drink at the bar; a supportive hand hold; or a mini photo session - two photographers are (perhaps unsurprisingly) more than one.
Separate Locations and Logistics
Sorry brides - but it’s not all about you!
I joke of course, but our approach to wedding coverage is all about storytelling, and we love capturing both sides of the day. So wherever possible we love to get at least a few shots with both sides of the wedding party before the ceremony takes place. Whether that’s a few pints with the lads at the pub; or final preparations with parents outside a church; our couples often love looking back over each other’s preparations as it’s the one part of the day they couldn’t be present for.
Unfortunately, while we are splendid photographers… it is still not possible for us to exist in two places at once! I’ve heard too many horror stories of photographers getting caught in traffic, cars breaking down, or simply being given the wrong address, and I don’t want to risk it myself. So, when locations are more than 10-15 minutes apart in the morning, and coverage of both sides is important to you. Then we would always suggest a second photographer.
Teamwork and Coordination
Yeah, this is absolutely a blog encouraging you to book us!
So without trying to hide that - if you’re planning on having two photographers then hiring us comes with a couple of additional benefits over other photographers who might have a number of second shooters who they use from time to time.
We’ve been together for 11 years & shot together for 8. When I work with Abigail specifically, we have a number of systems for signaling one another from across a room, identifying lenses and equipment we might want or need, and knowing what shots each of us prefers to take. We also have logistical processes for handling formal photos and similar parts of the day, which helps keep everything stress-free and reduces timeline pressure.
Wedding planners and coordinators love us for this reason: we help keep things running on time, reducing stress and ensuring a smooth experience.
Backup Equipment and Peace of Mind
Although it has literally never been a problem for us, as we already have backups in place, there is of course the added benefit of having more cameras and more equipment. If anything does malfunction, having twice the number of photographers ensures we can handle the worst-case scenarios, and even if one of us is out of action, you’ll always have the other.
Hybrid Video Coverage Without Having to Choose.
We approach our video coverage with a style called ‘Hybrid Shooting’ which involves recording both photo and video on the same device. Usually that would entail shooting either one or the other at any particular point, but when shooting as a duo we can shoot both at the same time! We like working this way because it means we don’t have to choose between photos and videos of those important moments like cake cutting, first kisses, or confetti walks.
How to decide whether a second shooter is right for you.
When it comes to making the decision between picking one wedding photographer or two, there are a couple of factors that we usually suggest considering:
Firstly: How many guest are you expecting, and how much do you have planned for your wedding?
For weddings with over 100 guests, we’d usually recommend a second photographer.
If you’re expecting around 80 or more, then it’s definitely worth considering.
Larger weddings naturally mean more people interacting, more moments to capture, and more moving parts.
Secondly: Do you want coverage of both morning preparations?
If you’re both getting ready in the same location then solo coverage is usually manageable, with time to move between rooms and document both sides of the morning. If you’re further than 10 minutes apart, then timings can get complicated and the risk of missing important moments increases. It’s always worth having a discussion and looking at logistics, but a second photographer is often the simple solution to avoid stress and keep things moving smoothly.
Thirdly: Do you want video coverage?
If you know you want video coverage, then you’ll need a second body on hand. We only offer video coverage when there are two of us shooting to ensure that we can be as comprehensive as we’d like. Asking us to shoot for you means you don’t just get a video, you get a second photographer, a planner and coordinator (in the shape of Abigail), and an award winning team that has worked together on almost 100 weddings.
So, Two wedding photographers, or one?
Choosing whether to have one or two photographers - and possibly adding a highlights video - comes down to how you envision your wedding day being captured. If you want the assurance of comprehensive coverage, creative diversity, and the ultimate wedding team then I think you know what to do!
Click here to get in touch, and let’s chat about how we can help out!
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