Should We Get A Second Wedding Photographer
Why should you consider a second photographer for your wedding?
Firstly - I will be with you every step of the way, at the front of your ceremony, right there with you at your group shots, and celebrating with you at your couples portraits. For group shots, it can help make these run a little smoother as I can set up one shot with you, while my second finds guests for your next shot. It basically means I can focus more on you two and your nearest and dearest that bit more.
This is going to sound obvious but because time travel hasn’t been invented yet, I can't be in 2 places at once. It's great for you to have photographs of each other getting ready and leading up to the ceremony as you don't often get to see this. For example, at Prep, I can be with one partner, and my second can be with the other!
Of course if you're getting ready together, you can choose to just have me if you prefer and have our second sent to capture guests arriving at your ceremony before you both make your entrance.
Not only do you get more coverage this way but we get to have fun and relax with you, and get to know your wedding party before the ceremony.
I love to be able to do this as putting you all at ease for your photographs is massively important to me.
It’s also particularly worthwhile for weddings of 80+ guests - it helps cover more ground with 4 feet, hands and eyes, instead of 2! For example, during your speeches it means I can focus on you and your reactions, and my second can focus on capturing your guests.
Also being absolutely honest, they’re my back-up when I need a loo break!
How does having a second photographer work?
Most of us photographers have a good few pals in the industry we can rely on and check availability with, people we have worked with before and just ‘get us’ and how we like to work on the day.
After your wedding day, the photographs from my second photographers are all handed over to me, checked and edited by me, to blend in with your gallery.
As per the images I take - you will only receive the very best. Your gallery will consist largely of my images, you've chosen me for a reason,
but they will compliment your overall gallery (at least 90% of shots are mine).
As with all wedding photographs, I retain the copyright of all the photographs taken on the day, but I like my seconds to be able to use some of their shots for their portfolios (cos they work hard too!), but if you prefer not, we can specify before the day. You of course get total printing rights so you can hang them on your walls and share with fam and friends.
Second photographers FAQ:
1 - Can we choose which photographer we have?
Us photographers tend to have a good few friends in the industry across our areas, and as we all have different availability it is easiest for me to find a photographer pal to help out - as I mentioned earlier, we all have different ways of working and style so it’s best for me to choose someone who can fit in with mine on the day.
2 - What happens if one of you is ill on the day?
HEAVEN FORBID but I do like to plan for the worst. If my second photographer is ill, I will find an emergency replacement who can slot in nicely for us. If I am ill, I will either ask my second to step in for me as I work with second photographers who are lead photographers in their own right, and also find an emergency second photographer (though I would have to be in hospital/have broken legs etc to not be there for you!).
3 - Do we have to feed you both?
I don’t demand to fed and watered at weddings, this is your day, but would never say no to a good meal and a glass of wine!