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VIP November 2012

1 Photographer vs. 2 - Help!!

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Elisa, on January 5, 2012 at 5:21 PM

Posted in Planning 24

I'm super torn right now. There's a photographer I've been talking to that normally works with his wife. I LOVE their work. Their normal wedding package iis the 2 of them shooting. Well... that's out of my budget so he offered to shoot the wedding by himself. I always imagined having 2 photographers...

I'm super torn right now.

There's a photographer I've been talking to that normally works with his wife. I LOVE their work. Their normal wedding package iis the 2 of them shooting. Well... that's out of my budget so he offered to shoot the wedding by himself. I always imagined having 2 photographers so I'm hesitating on giving him an answer, but I don't think I could realistically afford 2 photographers. So...

People who had 1 photographer, what was your experience? Do you wish you had 2? People who are only hiring one, what makes you not want/need 2?

P.S. Our wedding is small - we're only inviting around 100 people...

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24 Comments

Matt and Kathy Angel · on March 29, 2012 at 1:31 PM
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Coming from a photography team - we say, when you can afford it, go with two.

Not only can one go with the bride and one with the groom for the getting ready hours, you get a multitude of different angles and perspectives. We try to vary our lens choices to compliment each other. So for the ceremony, one of us has the zoom lens for the close up shots and the other is shooting with a wide angle.

Plus, there is a reason so many solo photogs offer a second shooter option and/or show up with one.

Hope your wedding day is a huge success!
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Karrie Porter · on April 17, 2014 at 11:25 PM
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Remember that an assistant is not the same as a second shooter. A second shooter is there to - well, shoot, and an assistant would still be necessary usually. An assistant is there to pack gear, fetch water, change lenses, fluff the train, help with the schedule, and adjust lighting. While SOME assistants do also shoot at times during the day when the photographer wants help, they aren't providing the same level of service. When I have a second shooter, they are an extension of me. I could send them off on their own to handle any portion of the day without me. An assistant shooting part of the ceremony from a balcony I can't get up to and get back down in time to catch the kiss is totally different.
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Dallas Love · on February 9, 2016 at 9:39 PM
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I predominantly shoot alone and cover weddings well over 400 .... however, having a second photographer is great if #1 you are wanting preparation photos of both the bride/groom #2 your timeline doesn't allow the main shooter to capture your venue b/f guests arrive and all the details/decor #3 you want cocktail hour coverage #4 you'd love lots of guests shots - primary shooters rarely have time to focus on more than the couple/family and only take minimum shots of guests typically #5 you are having a first look session - you REALLY need a 2nd shooter!
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Ron Thaman · on June 30, 2017 at 8:51 AM
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All weddings we do include 2-3 photographers/videographers. Digital photo cameras and video cameras can malfunction. As I'm photographing the bride coming down the isle I ALWAYS have another camera on my shoulder!
The second shooter can also capture unique views that I may not be in position for at the wedding.
I always recommend 2 shooters.
Ron and Joy
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