How to tell if you need a second photographer at your wedding

Do you really need a second photographer* at your wedding? Is one wedding photographer enough? This is one of the most common questions I get from couples during our initial phone or video call - and for good reason! It’s super confusing and the internet is full of varying opinions on this (and everything else under the sun!) I've worked both as a lead and second photographer since 2014. My professional opinion: The answer depends on your specific timeline and your preferences. Use this flowchart I created to help you decide.

*Important note: Your main photographer hires the second photographer as a contractor. You don't need to hire them yourself! Your photographer will likely choose somebody they've worked with before who matches their style and work ethic. I personally only work with second photographers I would trust to photograph my own wedding. If you stick with me, rest assured that you’re in good hands!

Extra benefits to having a second photographer included in your wedding photography collection:

They’re another set of eyes to catch details everyone else may have missed. e.g. the groom’s boutonnière is crooked, there’s lipstick on the bride’s teeth, etc.

You’ll receive more photos, period. And from a different perspective, too. My second photographers are always working on a different lens than I am. If I’m shooting wide, they’re shooting tight, and vice versa. You’re guaranteed to get photos that tell the entire story: closeups, medium shots, and wide shots. When working alone, I make every effort to tell stories the same way, but it takes more time. It's also more difficult, especially during fast paced moments.

EVEN MORE peace of mind everything about your day will be captured. All professional wedding photographers should be working with back-up equipment. But what if something happens to the backup? While it’s super unlikely, it has happened in the history of the world! An extra photographer ensures that everything will be documented no matter what.

When there are two photographers, we can be in two places at once! You don’t have nearly as much to worry about as far as timeline constraints go. And if you decide to have a second photographer and a first look? Even MORE golden!

Here are some side-by-side examples of moments my second photographer and I captured at the same time. (Notice how these would have been physically impossible for one photographer to capture alone!)