*Updated May 2024
Do You Need To Hire Two Wedding Photographers?
One of the most asked questions about wedding photography is “Do you need to hire two wedding photographers”.
When it comes to capturing your special day, knowing the advantages of hiring two wedding photographers is a must. We have broken it all down for you to make it easier to read:
Why You Dont Need Two Wedding Photographers!
Integrating Into The Wedding
Natural, Candid Wedding Photographs
Efficient Group And Couple Photographs
A Better Insurance Policy
The True Cost Of Hiring Two Wedding Photographers
Making Sure No Moment Is Missed
Two Photographers Are Less Intrusive
Getting In Each Other's Way
Working Consistently Without Time Limits
More Wedding Photographs
Why You Don’t Need Two Wedding Photographers
We have recently read a few blog posts titled “Why you don’t need two wedding photographers”. So we would like to offer a more experienced perspective.
Some of these articles highlight downsides of having two wedding photographers. Unfortunately, it is clear that the writers haven’t worked as part of an effective duo such as Murray and myself. We can honestly tell you that there are actually no downsides to hiring the right wedding photography duo. Just a long list of advantages!
Two Wedding Photographers Make Sure – No Moment is Missed
When You and Your Partner Are Getting Ready At Different Locations
For this very reason we include coverage of both partners on the wedding morning as standard in our wedding photography service.
The following photos were taken at exactly the same time, in very different locations by both of us.
Two Photographers – Integrate Better
We refer to ‘natural’ wedding photography as capturing people without posing. They are often unaware that their photo is being taken. This involves real beauty, real emotions and real personalities. One secret to achieving this type of photography the ability to able to blend in with the wedding guests. We think about this often in the delivery of our service. It’s involved in the clothes we wear the equipment we use (and don’t use). It’s also involved in the psychology behind we present ourselves to guests and the relationships we build with our clients.
You can read more about how we build relationships with our clients in our article on “Why you need an engagement photo shoot.”
Advantages Of Integrating Into The Wedding Party
This integration puts us at a great advantage throughout the entire day, but no more than during the drinks reception and dancefloor. Here we are in ‘full documentary mode’, which requires a great level of skill and patience. We aim to incorporate genuine interactions between guests. Where their natural personalities and emotions shine through. This is easier to do when you are viewed as part of the ‘in group’ than the ‘out group’. Working as a team of two our chances are also much better for capturing those guests who are camera shy or even actively avoid the camera.
We are blending in well in these wedding photographs!
Two Wedding Photographers Are Actually Less Intrusive!
One prominent argument why “You don’t need two wedding photographers” centres around the premise that you don’t want an ‘entourage’ at your wedding day. So, let’s look at that realistically:
entourage
noun
a group of people attending or surrounding an important person.
Intrusions Of A Single Shooter
Capturing Natural Emotions
Two Angles Acheived Without Moving Around
Two Photographers Provide More Perspectives For Natural Photographs
The following natural images were all captured during group photographs
Two Photographers Get In Each Other’s Way?
Three Schools Of Thought
From our training with many photography duos all over the world we have discerned three main schools of thought on this:
1. An experienced duo can easily work in such a way that we aren’t in each other’s images. We do it without thinking.
2. The ‘so what?’ school of thought! Where photographers are making documentary wedding photos. The other photographer was there as part of the day, so they are included in the images. As other suppliers such as the videographers, service staff etc. are.
3. The ‘so what we have photoshop’ school of thought. Where an erroneous photographer in the background of a photograph is easily removed. So it’s not something that needs to be worried about.
Straightforward Photoshop removal of photographers from a wedding photo
Two Wedding Photographers Are – More Efficient
Efficiency Is Good For Everyone
Photographs of brides and grooms unaware of one of us taking their picture
Two photographers mean every moment of your special day is captured as are all the candid moments, the cheeky child in the corner, the look on granny’s face as the bride walks down the aisle, the precious few moments alone between the bride and groom all the little details that you’re too overwhelmed to take in on the day. You will laugh and cry about these when you view your photographs.
You can benefit from having a great coverage of your loved ones enjoying themselves whilst you’re off having couples shots – there’s really no need to miss a thing.
Two Photographers Means – No Time Limits And Consistency
Consistency Of Quality
For more information on the quality of wedding photography please take a look at our article “How Much Does Wedding Photography Cost”.
The following photos were taken over 12 hours apart on a wedding day
Two Photographers Provide – Better Insurance
Two photographers Means More Wedding Photographs
For further insights into this process please see our article on “Do wedding photographers give you all of the wedding photos?”
Two Wedding Photographers Are More Expensive
Wedding days are busy, many things occur simultaneously at different locations. These are all important parts of the story of your big day.
A single shooter cannot be in two places at once.
Bride and Groom preparation coverage is a great example included in our wedding photography services. Both sides of the wedding story often take place in two different venues.
Hiring a wedding photography duo means that we can capture all the details, people, emotions and scenery at the same time throughout the day.
Don’t forget to scroll down for a secret other wedding photographers will not tell you!
So, Why Do You Need Two Wedding Photographers?
To conclude, hiring a team of two wedding photographers is a good idea if you answer YES to any of the following questions:
1. Do you want to ensure no moment is missed in the story of your big day?
2. Are you are looking for the most unobtrusive wedding photography?
3. Are you are a fan of more natural wedding photography?
4. Do you want fast and efficient couple and group photographs?
5. Would you would like consistently high quality coverage without time limits?
6. Do you want to insure you receive stunning photographs no matter what?
1. Do you want no moment missed in your wedding story?
2. Are you are looking for unobtrusive wedding photography?
3. Are you are a fan of natural photographs?
4. Do you want quick and relaxed ‘formal’ photographs?
5. Would you would like high quality coverage without time limits?
6. Do you want to insure you receive stunning photographs no matter what?
We could go on, but the advantages to hiring two wedding photographers are too many and your wedding day only happens once!
If you want high quality, stunning wedding photography with unlimited coverage, capturing all of the moments and emotions. If you want relaxed group and couple shots and the whole story of your big day to be told in the best possible way. Also, if you want absolute insurance, you will receive your wedding photographs. Hiring two wedding photographers is the obvious choice.