Should I Book a Second Shooter? | Minnesota Wedding Photographer

One of the most common questions I get as a wedding photographer is: “Should I book a second shooter with the photography package?”

This can be a tough question because it really depends on quite a few variables. The main thing to remember though is that your lead photographer will get all of the photos you want.

So, if that’s the case, why do couples still hire a second shooter? Well, there are a few reasons so let’s break it up and then you can make your own decision about whether or not you want a second shooter.

Angles

When going through wedding photos, sometimes it’s fun to see portraits or other parts of the day from a different angle. During the ceremony and reception, your photographer will always be moving around to switch up the angle. But during the portraits, that’s not always an option. So a second shooter might take a few shots from the side or catch something going on behind the lead photographer. Some of these candid moments are great shots while other times it might also mean some awesome close-up bouquet shots during the bridesmaids portraits.

Specific Moments

Some couples request a second shooter because they want a camera on both the bride and groom during a special moment in the day like the first look or the walk down the aisle. If this is truly important, a second is a great option. Your lead photographer will get both the bride walking down the aisle and the groom’s reaction, but there just won’t be a camera on both of them during the entire moment.

Time Saver

One of the great benefits of a second shooter is if you are on a time crunch, the second can help your lead photographer cross off a few items on the shot list. For example, while the lead photographer photographs the bride and bridesmaids, the second might photograph the groom and groomsmen portraits. Or while the couple, wedding party, and lead photographer do portraits in between the ceremony and reception at an offsite location, the second shooter can beat the lead photographer to the reception venue to get detail shots or candid moments during the cocktail hour. This is a huge help if your wedding is at multiple venues!

Assistance

The second shooter is there to help the lead photographer. So if a flash needs to be adjusted, someone needs to track down grandma ASAP for family portraits, or there’s a minor detail in the background of a photo, the second shooter can help eliminate these small problems that could’ve been just a bit more time consuming for the lead photographer to take care of.

So when wouldn’t you need a second shooter?

If you are having a small wedding, have no wedding party or a small wedding party, have only one venue or photo location, and if you and your significant other are seeing each other before the ceremony, then you probably don’t need a second shooter. Smaller weddings at one location have a lot less variables which means your lead photographer should easily be able to capture all of the photos you want!

We hope you now have a better idea if you want a second shooter to be included in your photography package. If you have any questions about a second shooter, always ask your lead photographer!

Are you engaged and looking for an engagement photographer and wedding photographer in Minnesota? If so, contact Jeannine Marie Photography here. Jeannine Marie is serving wedding photography in Minneapolis and St. Paul. She is considered one of the best wedding photographers in Minnesota, featured in multiple publications and listed as one of Minnesota Bride’s “10 Fabulous Local Wedding Photographers.”  She is an award-winning wedding photographer and has recently won 2018 ILEA Mpls/St. Paul “Best Event Photography: Wedding”, 2017 Mpls/Stp Magazine Diamond Award: People’s Choice Outstanding Wedding Photography, 2017 Borrowed and Blue Best Wedding Photographer and Most Valuable Vendor, 2017 ILEA Mpls/St. Paul “Best Creative Services – Photography – Wedding”, 2016 Minnesota ISES Star Award: Best Photography, 2015 Mpls/Stp Magazine Diamond Award: People’s Choice Outstanding Wedding Photography and Wedding of the Year, 2015 The Knot Best of Photography, 2015 WeddingWire Couple’s Choice Award, and 2014 Minneapolis Happenings: Best Photography. Book your engagement session or wedding photography today!

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