When clients book me for their wedding photography one of the questions I am often asked is whether they should book a second shooter (second photographer) for their wedding. This is not a simple question to answer and it depends entirely on the coverage you want for your day.

So firstly what does a second shooter do? A second shooter, as the name suggests is a second photographer at your wedding. They are able to offer a second perspective on your day. The main photographer can only be in one place at a time and so it is inevitable that they may miss moments. This is where a second shooter comes in. While the main photographer covers the bridal preparation, the second shooter can cover the groom preparation and guests arriving. While the main shooter is at the front of the ceremony the second shooter can be at the back of the room getting a different perspective. The second shooter is usually able to capture more candid shots. They can capture other guests while the group and couple shots take place. They can capture guest reactions to speeches while the main photographer captures the speaker and bride and groom.

Another important task that a second shooter performs is assisting the main photographer. This can be rounding people up for key shots, holding lights, helping carry all that photography equipment and often acting as a model to test a setting or lighting before collecting the bride and groom so less of the couples precious time is used on the day.

So why do you need a second photographer at your wedding? In short, to give you a second perspective of your day and record those extra moments which you would have otherwise missed on your day.