What is does having a second shooter mean in wedding photography?
What is a second shooter?
A second shooter is the name for a photographer who comes along with your main photographer to assist and photograph on your wedding day. Sometimes you'll have two photographers included already, and sometimes they'll be an optional extra. Although I shoot about 2/3 of my weddings by myself and I am more than confident to do so, sometimes a second shooter can be very useful indeed! If you’re planning a big wedding with 100+ guests, the venue is quite spread out, or if you’re keen for prep photos of both of you I always recommend adding it onto your package. I’m pretty good at what I do but sadly I can only be in one place at one time, and doubling up means we make sure nothing’s missed of your epic day!
Who do I use as my second shooter?
I don't have one sole person I use, although I do have a list of photographers I know and trust on hand if someone decides to book. I seriously consider who I use for a second shooter and only use other professional photographers who shoot in a very similar style to me, so when I edit all the photos together they are seamless in shooting and editing style.
I personally really enjoy working with someone else, it's also very handy to have someone to hold flashes, set up lights for you, and carry any extra things if you're venturing outside (particular on winter weddings when I use a lot more kit).
The photos on this post are a mixture of mine and one my regular second shooters, Laura from Curious Rose Photography, to show an example of what's been captured at the exact same time and how you can see the different angles throughout the day, giving more variation in your images.
In the morning, it means one of us can be with one half of the couple, capturing a nervous pre-ceremony pint (or whiskey as the case may be here!) and the other one can be snapping away as the finishing touches are being put to your outfit.
Two angles is particularly useful for the ceremony where we might be restricted in movement as well. I don't like moving much at all during the ceremony as I find it can be distracting for you and your guests, so having two shooting points is great. A particular favourite is a photo capturing the face of your wife or husband to be and having a photo of you walking down the aisle too!
While I am cracking on with the group shots, or doing some couple photos with you both, it means the second photographer is stationed right in the middle of the reception snapping away with your lovely guests.
For the speeches it means I’m trained on shooting the speaker and my second photographer will be focused on the photos of people (hopefully!) cracking up with laughter.
