Do You Really Need Two Photographers at a Wedding? | Boston Wedding Photography

Do you need two photographers for your wedding? It’s a complicated question, let your favorite Boston wedding photographer help you find the right answer. - Photo Courtesy

Are two photographers really better than one for your Boston wedding? Magazines and blogs will tell you a resounding yes, but after more than a decade shooting weddings I have a lot more mixed feelings.

Since I shoot most weddings on my own, I tell my clients that with me it’s a very close and personal story of their day. Adding a second photographer lets us take a step back and take in a bigger picture - more of the guests and details, giving more context to that love story. For some people it’s worth adding onto a package.

How do you know a second photographer is right for you?

What are the shots that matter to you and how does that interact with the timeline of your wedding day? For example if you want to get shots of both parties getting ready, that can be easier with a second. If you want someone to get photographs of the guests while you’re getting portraits taken, it’s easier with a second. A second photographer also makes it easier to reliably capture the moment and the reaction to the moment for walking down the aisle or a first look.

What will the second photographer be doing? Not every photographer works the same way with their second. Some people work in tandem with their team, everyone shooting to get a broader picture of the wedding. For some photographers the second services primarily as an assistant, helping with other tasks like holding lights, adjusting attire, or moving gear in addition to their photography work.

Who is the second photographer? As with a primary, the skill and experience of a second photographer can matter a lot. Does your photographer have someone that they work with regularly? Are they recruiting from their network? What criteria are they using to pick the people that they work with? When I am hiring a second photographer, I look to my network of experienced and skilled professionals (ideally someone better than me in case I fall in a lake) that might have the day free from their own shoots. Remember that good photographers know their worth, so if a photographer is at the bottom of the market and offer to have a second, it’s good to ask questions.

What gets delivered with a second photographer? If your photographer gives an option to add a second photographer, it can help to look at galleries that show the difference. Many photographers will favor their own images in the final delivery, so even a great second might only be 10 percent of the total.

What are your thoughts on having a second photographer at your wedding? What are the moments that you’re hoping they could capture? If you want to talk about building the perfect Boston wedding photography package for your day, contact me today and get started.

Ryan Richardson is a wedding and engagement photographer serving Boston and beyond; including Cape Cod Weddings, New England Weddings, Massachusetts Weddings and Rhode Island Weddings.