Do You Really Need a Second Photographer? Here’s What to Consider

One of the biggest questions couples ask when booking their wedding photography is “Do we need a second photographer?” The answer depends more on the structure of your day than the number of guests.

As a documentary-style photographer, I don’t automatically include a second photographer in my collections because it’s often not necessary. I also don’t hire “warm bodies” (AKA someone using a camera on Auto Mode and using the “spray and pray” method — if you take enough photos, a few are bound to turn out). My second shooters are seasoned professionals—photographers who run their own wedding businesses and could handle the entire day on their own. That’s why I only bring in a second photographer when the timeline and logistics truly call for it.

When You Might Need a Second Photographer

While I can capture an entire wedding day solo, there are times when I physically can’t be in two places at once. Here’s when having a second photographer is a good idea:

✔️ Getting Ready in Two Locations – If you and your partner are getting ready in two completely different locations that are more than 10-15 minutes apart and you both want coverage, a second photographer is the only way to make that happen. 

✔️ Strict House of Worship Rules – If you’re getting married in a cathedral or religious institution that restricts movement during the ceremony, I literally won’t be allowed to change positions. In this case, a second photographer can be stationed elsewhere to ensure full coverage. (And yes, they actually do enforce these rules. They even have “wedding coordinators” whose only job is to make sure the photographer doesn’t move. I respect the rules because anything else is incredibly disrespectful.) 

✔️ Skipping the First Look – If you’re not doing a first look, then all your big group and family photos have to happen during cocktail hour. (We’ll do as much as we can beforehand, but the group photos you’re in together can’t be done until after the ceremony.) That means I can’t be photographing your guests enjoying cocktail hour at the same time. A second photographer makes both happen seamlessly.

✔️ Super Tight Timelines – If you’re on a tight wedding timeline where we have a very short window for group photos, a second photographer allows us to split up photo coverage. One of us can take one half of the wedding party and formal family photos, while the other takes the other side. This helps keep things moving smoothly without feeling rushed. 

✔️ Tight, Cramped Reception Spaces – If your reception space is maxed out with guests and tables are so close together that I can’t move freely between chairs, my movement will be very limited. A second photographer can capture alternate angles so you get a variety of perspectives.

When You Probably Don’t Need a Second Photographer

In most cases, one photographer is enough. I don’t recommend a second photographer just based on the number of guests—it’s about the flow of the day, not the headcount.

✔️ Your getting-ready locations are close together. If you’re both getting ready in the same venue or within a few minutes of each other, I can cover both without a second shooter. 

✔️ Your ceremony and reception are at the same location. If we don’t have to factor in travel between locations, everything flows more smoothly, reducing the need for extra coverage. 

✔️ You’re doing a first look & taking most portraits before the ceremony. This ensures everything is covered before cocktail hour, eliminating the need for an extra photographer to document guests.

What Makes My Second Photographers Different?

If we decide a second photographer is needed for your wedding day, one thing you can be damn sure of: I don’t hire beginners or “warm bodies”. My second shooters are all experienced professionals with their own wedding photography businesses, skilled in composition, lighting, and knowing when to step in and when to let a moment breathe. Unlike some photographers, whose collections always include a second photographer (often a warm-body second shooter), my second photographers are trusted pros who will deliver consistently high-quality images.

Also, if you’re looking at husband-wife photography teams, make sure to check both portfolios and ask the right questions—because in many cases (not all — I know some phenomenal spouse teams– but so many more than you think), one of them is a “warm body” second shooter, meaning the majority of their images aren’t even used in the final gallery.

How to Spot a “Warm Body” Second Photographer

If you’re comparing collections that include a second photographer, don’t just assume you’re getting equal skill levels. 

✔️ Check the second photographer’s portfolio—it should show a broad range of lighting situations, not just bright hotel rooms with great window light and golden-hour portraits. 

✔️ Beware the “spray and pray” method—some second shooters take massive quantities of photos hoping a handful turn out. That’s not skill, it’s luck. 

✔️ Understand the difference between technical ability and chance. If you keep throwing a basketball at a net, eventually you’ll get a few in—but that doesn’t make you a pro. There’s more to what I do than pressing the shutter button. My second photographers understand light, shadow, movement, and composition, and that’s what makes their work valuable.

Not sure if you need a second photographer for your wedding? Let’s talk it out!

A second photographer isn’t a must for every wedding, but if your timeline or logistics call for it, it can be a huge help. If you’re unsure, let’s chat! I’ll help you decide if a second photographer makes sense for your day.

---

Related Posts:
⎷ Wedding Day Timeline Planning: How Long Does Everything Take?
⎷ Intentional Wedding Planning: Creating a Meaningful, Stress-Free Wedding
⎷ Why Golden Hour Is Overhyped