Two of the biggest benefits of having a second wedding shooter are 1.) being able to provide more thorough coverage of the day’s moments, and 2.) having a more relaxed approach to the entire day. Having a second photographer on hand allows you, the main photographer, to assign one to the beginning part of the day. This second photographer can capture all of the individual preparations, surrounding landscape and set-up, and give you the time you need to plan for the rest.  It is a wonderfully calm way to start a very busy day!

When familiar with each others’ working styles, two photographers are able to anticipate the each others’ needs and positions for capturing key moments. For instance, one will capture the ceremony, concentrating on what’s happening between the bride and groom, while the other has the flexibility to move around, documenting the reactions of the guests and striving to find more nontraditional angles from which to shoot. The same goes during toasts, on the dance floor, etc. Very much a partner, your second photographer works the same number of contracted hours as you do and contributes to a more cohesive collection of final images that you present to your clients.

We have photographed the elopements and weddings of more than 250 guests with two photographers. Most recently, we shot a wedding of 100 guests with six photographers! Anything is possible! Can we handle a wedding on our own with just one photographer? Of course, that’s why having a second photographer is an addition and not standard. But if you want our professional opinion of what would make your wedding photography coverage even better, this is our recommendation hands-down.

The images below are from a wedding with multiple photographers at one of our favorite spots, Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake. This is an example of the more thorough coverage I am referencing. The images are organized in chronological order so you can see the variety that was captured at a one-location venue.

As a photojournalist and photo editor at USA Today and the Washington Post, Emilie Sommer has trained her lens on everyone from presidential candidates to rock stars to beauty queens, and has learned to capture the truth and emotion inherent in every assignment. But photographing a cousin’s wedding on Maine’s coast in 2001 got her hooked on documenting brides and grooms, and Emilie soon made a move to Maine to launch her own wedding photography business. Emilie also founded Roots Workshop, an annual photojournalism retreat on Cape Cod; Pink Initiative, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that raises funds and awareness for breast cancer research and Love and Lobster, a New England wedding inspiration and resource blog.