Why Have Two Wedding Photographers
Your wedding photos are the most common way to look back on your wedding day, so they’d better be captured right! As you compare wedding photography vendors, it’s well worth considering hiring two wedding photographers. There are tons of benefits to having a second photographer at your wedding, and we’ll cover all of those benefits in detail!
The Benefits of a Second Wedding Photographer
When you invest in professional wedding photographers in Rochester, MN, you want every angle, reaction, and detail covered. Hiring two photographers gives you double the coverage, more variety in your gallery, and extra peace of mind.
Different Angles
The most obvious reason to book a second photographer is for the multiple camera angles a second shooter will be able to get in addition to your first shooter. However, most couples don’t fully understand how significant this is!
Just think for a moment about all the different things one shooter can miss just by being limited to one. For example, your first dance can be up to three minutes long, so your photographer may be able to walk around you two and get great angles. However, you will only walk down the aisle once, so think about the different things a second shooter will be able to capture by being in a different spot than the first shooter.
Photograph Everyone As They Get Ready
Often, you and your partner get ready in completely different locations. With only one photographer, you may have to choose which side gets documented more thoroughly.
A second photographer can be with the groom and groomsmen while the lead photographer stays with the bride and bridesmaids. You’ll be able to see both sides of the morning: tying ties and pinning boutonnieres in one room, and hair, makeup, and first looks with your closest friends and family in the other.
You might want both photographers to cover:
- The bride and bridesmaids getting ready, including hair, makeup, and getting into the dress.
- The groom and groomsmen getting dressed, relaxing, or sharing a drink together.
- Gift exchanges or letters between the couple before the ceremony.
- First looks with parents, wedding party, or other special people.
- Candid moments in each getting-ready space, like laughter, tears, and toasts.
Two Wedding Photographers Capture Everything
Your wedding day has so many special moments, and even the quickest, smallest moment can end up meaning a ton to you. It’s always easier for the photographers to capture every important memory when there are two of them. Professional photographers will always have you covered, but every now and then a battery needs to be changed in the camera or they need to step away to capture something else, and in that instance, you just might end up creating a moment that should be captured!
Formal Photos Are Quicker
For many reasons, your family and bridal party formal portraits will be much shorter! One reason is that two shooters can easily wrangle everyone and get them posed twice as fast as one photographer.
Another reason is that, with two wedding photographers, you’ll get twice the images taken in the same amount of time. This eliminates many of the “closed eyes” retakes and hurries the process along. Getting your family and friends through the formal photos quicker means more time to eat, drink, and dance!
Guest Expressions and Reactions Captured
The second shooter will also allow your photographers to capture not only what’s going on but the guests’ reactions to it as it’s happening. You know you’ll need photos of everyone giving a speech, but don’t you want to see your mother smiling while your brother gives his toast during the reception? The second photographer will catch things you never thought would be worth capturing, and the guests’ reactions to different moments during the wedding are extremely valuable!
More Variety in Photography Style and Perspective
Every photographer brings their own eye, timing, and artistic style. When you work with two Rochester wedding photographers, you get more creative variety in your final gallery.
One might lean into classic, timeless portraits while the other favors candid, documentary-style images. Together, they can deliver a richer mix of romantic, fun, and emotional photos, so your album feels dynamic and personal.
Classic and Portrait-Driven Images
One photographer may focus on more traditional, posed portraits and must-have moments. These images tend to be clean, timeless, and perfect for framing or albums. They’ll make sure you have the “everyone-looking-at-the-camera” photos you’ll always want.
Candid and Documentary Moments
The second photographer might concentrate on capturing real, in-between moments you don’t even realize are happening. This can include laughter with your wedding party, hugs from family members, or quick glances you share throughout the day. These candid images help your gallery feel true to the energy and emotions of your wedding.
Creative Angles and Artistic Shots
With two photographers, there’s also more room for creative experimentation. One might play with reflections, silhouettes, or interesting compositions while the other covers the main action. This mix of artistic and classic images gives you a gallery that feels both polished and uniquely you.
Capturing Different Areas Throughout the Venue
Oftentimes, you don’t even think about how many things will be going on away from you at a wedding. For example, the photographer might be capturing the groom and his groomsmen enjoying the cigars he bought for the occasion. However, you just might miss out on an absolutely fantastic breakdancing session taking place on the dance floor by your adorable ring bearer! There is so much going on at any given wedding that you’re going to want a second hand in capturing these moments.
All The Details!
Detail photos are often the most fun to look back on after the wedding, even though many couples don’t think about them much beforehand.
Details bring out so much of your personality, since your favorite items and colors show up throughout the detail photos. Two wedding photographers mean more detail photos because they can work together to capture better shots, and they simply have more time to be able to capture the details of your day!
Which Rochester Package Includes a Second Photographer
In Rochester, a second photographer comes with our Premium Photography package. Your lead photographer covers eight hours, and the second photographer joins for five hours that you can line up with getting ready, the ceremony, and family formals.
Premium also raises your gallery to up to 1,200 edited images and includes a two-hour engagement session. Signature and Signature Plus each include one photographer for eight hours and up to 800 edited images. See which Rochester package fits or ask about photography pricing.
Complete Weddings + Events – Rochester, MN Wedding Photographers
Complete Weddings + Events Rochester has helped many Minnesota couples book their wedding services in one place. Learn more about our DJ, photography, videography, photo booth, or uplighting services in Rochester, MN, or contact us today. We’d love to help you plan your big day!