Before we begin, what is a second “shooter”? A second shooter is an experienced photographer that works side by side with your primary wedding photographer. They work on getting different eagles, different locations, moments, and things your primary photographer might miss or can’t be there for. A great indicator that you need a second shooter is if you have 100+ guests.
Second shooters are a great idea if you have the budget to add to your wedding day. They have a different eye than your primary photographer which opens your day to be photographed in more gorgeous ways, they also serve as a backup for important moments during your day in case something happens to your primary photographer’s gear, they capture different angles of the day giving you more perfect memories and so much more!
Let’s get into the three reasons why you need a second shooter on your wedding day!
1. Capturing both the groom and the bride getting ready.
As much as we would love to be in two places at once it’s physically impossible. While your primary photographer is capturing the bride and her bridesmaids getting ready, the second photographer captures the groom and the groomsmen. This leaves you at the end with great memories on both ends and great photos for both groups.
2. Different angles throughout the day.
The first look, ceremony, first kiss, cocktail hour, reception, the details. These are some of the scenarios a second shooter is good to have. So for example, while the primary photographer captures the groom’s reaction to the bride the second photographer photographs the bride walking towards the grown and her reaction. The primary photographer will capture the ceremony from the first row while the second photographer captures everything from the back, as well as the little moments from the guests that the primary misses. During the cocktail hour, the primary photographer is getting the details of the reception, details in each table, and all the little things while the second photographer gets everything that’s going on in the cocktail hour. Or if you didn’t have a first look session then the primary photographer will take care of the couple’s and family portraits and the second photographer will take care of all the reception details. During the reception, you will have more party photos! But you will also have the reactions and many photos of your guests, while the primary photographer captures the first dance the second photographer captures it from another angle, and also the reaction of your guests to it.
3. It’s a backup for the primary shooter.
Having a second shooter serves as a great backup for your wedding photos as they are side by side with your primary photographer on the most important moments of your wedding. This ensures these precious moments won’t be missed even if there was a malfunction of either of their gear. Plus it gives you different angles of the same moments and different framing too, one can be capturing wide frame while the other one can capture close-ups with a different lens giving you perfect photos
BONUS
4. They are an assistant to your primary photographer.
This is big too, creating the perfect shot may take more than one person and they can be there to help. Also, they can run back and forth in case there are things missing so your photographer does not miss a thing
5. More photos in your gallery!
Another photographer means more photos for your wedding and more creativity, given that every wedding photographer has a different eye.