Shauna Wear
Shauna Wear
When I became a wedding photographer back in 2012, I never could have imagined ending up here. "Here" as in having couples-turned-lifelong-friends, shooting hundreds of weddings at the most beautiful venues in Metro Detroit, and fueling my passion for travel by adventuring from coast to coast. It's such a dream and privilege to serve couples like you on a daily basis!
There are so many variables to consider when deciding whether or not you need a second photographer for your wedding day.
You’ve just gotten engaged – congratulations! Now comes the exciting yet often overwhelming task of planning your wedding. One of the key decisions you’ll have to make is choosing your wedding photographer. An increasingly common question I get asked is, “Do we need a second photographer for our wedding day?”. The answer to that question is highly dependent on your specific needs and the logistics of your day. Let’s dive into the situations where a second photographer might be beneficial or even necessary for you!
If your wedding timeline spans many hours, with numerous events and activities, I would recommend at least considering a second photographer. While I’m perfectly confident shooting solo, even the best of us can’t be in two places at once! A second shooter will help ensure that no magical moment is missed and provides more comprehensive coverage of your day.
Many couples have different locations for their getting-ready sessions, ceremonies, and receptions. Navigating between these locations can be time-consuming and logistically challenging. A second photographer can be stationed at one location while I’m at another. This results in seamless coverage and a variety of shots that one photographer simply couldn’t achieve by themselves.
If your wedding guest list exceeds 200-250 people and involves several locations, a second photographer becomes almost a necessity. Large weddings typically have multiple significant moments happening simultaneously. While you’re busy cutting the cake, your college friends might be tearing up the dance floor! Second photographers can capture these moments that might otherwise be missed.
Most of my higher wedding collections that include a second shooter offer 7-9 hours of coverage. This extended time frame allows us to capture all the goodness of your wedding day fully – from the early preparations through all of the formal dances. A second shooter adds a layer of depth and dimension to your wedding album, something that many couples find invaluable when looking back at their photos.
Rest assured that I only work with the best second shooters in the industry. These are seasoned photographers who have a similar shooting style to mine, resulting in a cohesive look for your wedding album. Their expertise allows us to work together effortlessly, making the most of the time and lighting conditions to create gorgeous images!
While I’m 1000% confident in my ability to capture your day solo, a second shooter provides that extra assurance of a full-coverage experience. They can capture different angles during critical moments, like your “I do’s” or your first dance, offering a more robust storytelling of your wedding day!
While a second shooter has clear benefits, they are not 100% necessary for all weddings. For example, if you’re having a smaller, more intimate wedding with around 100 guests at a single location, one photographer will be enough. In such cases, the logistics are more straightforward. A smaller guest count is manageable enough for one photographer to capture all the significant moments.
Adding a second shooter will, of course, increase your photography budget. It’s important to weigh the costs against the benefits. If your wedding is a large-scale, multi-location affair, the extra expense is usually well worth it for the peace of mind and additional coverage you’ll receive!
Ultimately, the decision to include a second photographer in your wedding collection comes down to your specific needs, the scale of your wedding, and your budget. I pride myself on delivering exceptional photography services, whether solo or with a second shooter! The goal is to provide you with a gallery of beautiful images that capture the essence of your special day. So if you’re contemplating whether or not to add that second photographer, consider your wedding’s scope and scale, and remember: when it comes to capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments, it’s always better to have too many photographs than too few. Still unsure? I’m happy to help! Let’s chat!
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