Do I Need a Second Photographer for my Wedding?

Wondering if investing in that extra photographer is worth it? Let’s explore some of the pros and cons of having a “second shooter” at your wedding!

Hey! I’m Hillary, a Dallas wedding photographer (specializing in Christian weddings). These are some of the top questions clients ask me when planning for their wedding photography – What does a second photographer do? How do I know if I need a second photographer at my wedding? Before making our pros and cons list, let’s talk through some of the FAQs when it comes to second shooters!

1 – What is a second photographer and what do they do?

Second photographers work under the direction of your primary photographer to capture everything that happens on your wedding day. During the ceremony and reception, they photograph from different angles and distances to bring more variety to your images. When a guest unexpectedly pops up and blocks the primary’s shot, the second is there as fail-safe to make sure every sacred moment is captured. Before the ceremony, the second might take photos of the venue or reception area, giving the primary more time to spend with you and your wedding party. The second might capture guests during cocktail hour while the primary takes family photos and bride & groom portraits. This is generally how I divide the labor when I work with second shooters, but every photographer is different!

The primary photographer still does all the editing, so you’ll receive one cohesive gallery.

2 – Do I need a second photographer for my wedding?

Some people will tell you it’s based on how many guests you’ll have, but I think a second photographer can be a great addition no matter the size of your wedding! Unless your ceremony and reception areas are HUGE (like so big your photographer can’t really get from one side to the other quickly), you probably don’t need a second photographer. A great photographer should have no problem delivering a beautiful gallery, even shooting it alone.

So it’s less a question of “need” and more one of preference. Is it important to you to have your biggest moments captured with variety in angle and distance? To have an extra bit of security that everything will be captured in the rare case something goes wrong? To have lots of time to take getting ready photos with your wedding party AND have lots of great fine detail shots AND photos of the venue? And, of course, does a second photographer work within your budget?

3 – Who finds the second photographer?

Most photographers (like me) have wedding packages that include second photographers. Or they offer the option to add on second photographer coverage. The primary photographer (almost) always finds the second shooter. Unless you and the primary come to a very clear agreement that you will find the second, don’t hire another photographer to show up on wedding day. In fact, many photographers have a clause in the contract you sign, stating they must be the exclusive photographer retained by you for the big day. Most wedding photographers in Dallas, that I know, have this language in their contracts.

4 – How many hours should I have a second photographer?

A second photographer can add value to the entire day, but there are some points where it especially helpful to have one. If your budget only allows for 1-2 hours of second shooter coverage, I’d recommend starting that coverage just a little bit before the ceremony and go through post-ceremony portraits (family, bride + groom, wedding party). The moment you say “I do” is what this whole day is about! You’ll want ALL the angles of you two looking into each other’s eyes and of the kiss of course! Have two photographers for the ceremony means more photos of your wedding party’s and guests’ reactions too. After the ceremony, the second can be taking photos of guests during cocktail hour while your primary is capturing family portraits and the bride & groom session.

If you have flexibility in your budget to add on more coverage, I recommend adding it before the ceremony. There’s a lot to capture before you walk down the aisle, so having a second shooter can help ease the stress if thing get a little behind (spoiler alert: they often do) and make sure no must-have shot gets missed.

5 – How much does a second photographer cost?

When additional photographer coverage is built in to a package, cost per hour of coverage is generally a little lower. When added a la carte, you can expect coverage to range between $75-$150 per hour.

To sum it all up, there are many great reasons to have a second shooter, if your budget will allow it! Ask yourself if having variety and an extra sense of security is worth the investment to you. Hopefully this helps answer the question “do I need a second photographer for my wedding?”

If you’re looking for a Christian wedding photographer in Dallas, CLICK HERE to send me a message!

Looking for Dallas wedding planners who love Jesus? Check out my friends at Double Blessing Weddings & Events.