Post # 1
Member
529 posts
Busy bee
Fiance and I love a photog that we met a few days ago, but he is a little out of our budget- but has great work, so I think we could make it work budget wise. I basically already told him that I wanted him to do our wedding, which I think is a little premature because we keep going back and forth about what package to get. But one of the things I’m not sure about is adding a 2nd shooter. It’s an additional $400 and the photog says he prefers to work alone, and can get all the shots that we request. We’re also having videographer..
So what would you do?
Post # 3
Member
7901 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
- Wedding: March 2012 - Pelican Grand Beach Resort
We only paid for one shooter, but our photographer brought an assistant anyway. No compaints there! It was helpful, but not necessary. The one photographer, if he really does know what he’s doing (and it sounds like he does) can handle it. Since it doesn’t fit your budget, I wouldn’t worry about it.
Post # 4
Member
779 posts
Busy bee
I say pinch the rest of your budget and splurge on your wedding photographer. After the day is done, all you’ll have are the pictures. You deserve to have every moment captured! Seriously, maybe pinch of a few other areas, and get the photog you love, and the second shooter. But don’t go out of budget! It’s a slippery slope!
Post # 5
Member
529 posts
Busy bee
@silkspectre94: That’s why we’re going with a videographer- which wasn’t in the original budget at all haha. I just don’t know if I can justify going overboard again on photo
@mrsSonthebeach: That’s what I’ve been thinking, but I always imagined having two photographers. A lot of people always make it out that you NEED a second photographer inorder to have good coverage
Post # 6
Member
6339 posts
Bee Keeper
I would probably stick with just the one: but only because he’s said he prefers to work alone. In general, I’d say to go for two, as I think it’s nice to get the same shots from different angles, to have photos of the groom getting reading as well as the bride. etc. We’ll also be using our second shooter as a ‘mock photobooth’ for our evening reception. But, if you love the one you’ve seen, and he doesn’t like working with others, I’d just go with the one.
Post # 7
Member
529 posts
Busy bee
@barbie86: He’s assured us that he can get shots of the both of us getting ready. We’re staying at our venue the night before, just on seperate floors- so logistically its actually not too bad! The thing I think is funny is that he has a studio and has couple other photographers working for him, and he does offer the option of adding a second person, just doesn’t like too! I guess that gives me a little more reassurance tha the knows what he’s doing 🙂
Post # 8
Member
186 posts
Blushing bee
We splurged and not only hired a photographer that was originally more than we budgeted – but a few months before the wedding we added a second shooter (for an additional $1,000).
My husband and I agreed that we wanted two different perspectives of the day. There are some moments that you can’t grab at the same time (example: the bride walking down the asile and the groom watching her) — having two people there means more photos.
If it’s worth it to you, then do it.
We were thrilled with our photographer – he was great on the day of and everyone agreed he was super nice and easy to work with – and we loved having the second shooter there, he was equally as awesome and fun to hang out with all day. We love the pro previews and know that the second shooter was responsible for some of them! We haven’t received all of our photos back yet – but I really can’t imagine being disappointed or regretting our decision!!
ETA: By the way, we did not have a videographer! So that made the decision that much easier for us. I could see why having a videographer might make you feel that a second shooter is unnecessary.
Post # 9
Member
149 posts
Blushing bee
Defff go for the second shooter it will give you more angles since you’re photographer obviously can’t be in two places at once. For ex as your walking down the aican’t being able to get the look on both your faces at same time. And 400 is super cheap.. U dont wven want to kno what it cost us!!We had a videographer w two camermen, a photographer and she brought 2 assistants lol sounds a little cray but our pics turned out amazing !!
Post # 10
Member
163 posts
Blushing bee
Having two photographers is always great, we found a wedding photographer that offered two.
WHY?
1. both will be in two different locations getting different angels of a particular scene.
2. getting ready, one will be shooting the girls while the other shoots the guys.
3. reception, one can focus on the main dance floor, while other walks around getting everyone else not on the dance floor.
4. slightly different styles. one is to shoot for detail while the other shoots fun, funky, and in the moment.
5. less chance of missing out on anything that happend that day/night.
Post # 11
Member
1629 posts
Bumble bee
I highly recommend two shooters. Things would have been missed without two people.
Post # 12
Member
963 posts
Busy bee
One shooter will do just fine. Add another and they may be tripping over each other (and the videographer). We had one shooter and a videographer and it was great. We got 1300 editted photos. If they know what they are doing, you only need one.
Post # 13
Member
447 posts
Helper bee
I don’t think a second shooter is necessary, but it’s nice. We shaved off two hours of coverage (had them start near the end of getting ready and leave an hour before the reception ended) in order to fit the 2nd into our budget, which was fine – still got all the shots we wanted. But my friends who only had one photographer have also been happy with getting all the pictures they wanted.
You could probably also wait until closer to the day and see how you are on the budget before deciding.
Post # 14
Member
908 posts
Busy bee
I think it depends on how big your wedding is, and the set-up of your venue, etc.
Post # 15
Member
1855 posts
Buzzing bee
I ordered a second shooter for my 50 person wedding.
I have one main photographer, a main videographer, and another photographer for 12 hours. I went a little overboard, to be honest.
ETA, just to make myself sound a little less nutty:
My main photographer and videographer are husband and wife. I have been friends with my main photographer for 11 years. I really want her to actually “see” and attend parts of the wedding. I want her to sit down and have dinner with me! The extra photographer, who is equally talented, makes this possible.
Post # 16
Hostess
11166 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
Our photographer brought a second person to get images when he was busy with us. I am very grateful for having two perspectives and I love the photos. I would definitely book a second person if your original photographer normally flies solo without an assistant at the very least..
