Second Shooter Wedding FAQ (do you really need a second shooter on your wedding day?)

Are you looking to hire an Edmonton Wedding Photographer? Wondering if you should invest in a second shooter for your wedding? I know how overwhelming it can be when you are bouncing from photographer to photographer’s websites and trying to compare different packages when all you really want to know is: is this person going to make me feel comfortable on my wedding day and leave me with photos that make me remember each passing moment on my wedding day? Girl, I feel you with my whole heart.

Hi, I am your local YEG wedding photographer

If we haven’t met yet, welcome to my little corner of the internet. I am Katie, an Alberta Wedding Photographer capturing weddings in Edmonton and surrounding areas and in our beautiful Rocky Mountains. If you want to chat about wedding day packages, I would love to help you decide on what package would be right for you. You can contact me here.

In the meantime, I know you might be wondering if you really need a second shooter on your wedding day – and because this might be your first time planning a wedding, I have collected my best tips and frequently asked questions about whether or not you need a second shooter on your wedding day.

Do you really need a second shooter on your wedding day?

Trust me, I wish I could be everywhere at once. There are some shots though, that you will miss out on if you don’t have a second shooter for at least the ceremony. A lot of times on blogs they talk about the “first look down the aisle” and only being able to capture the groom’s face or the bride’s, but honestly, we can work fairly quickly and capture both most of the time. We can’t however, capture photos from the back of the aisle where all the guests eyes are on the bride!

 

Love getting ready photos? Often times without a second shooter, there will either be NO time for groom’s getting ready photos or they will be a bit rushed! We definitely don’t want that. We want all the moments like this!

A second shooter helps make sure your wedding day photos are as seamless as possible.

On top of not capturing all the shots possible, a second shooter also helps during the bridal party and family photos! Instead of asking one of your bridal party or family members to try and help gather people for “their turn” , a second shooter can help call out names and keep people organized and focused while I am taking pictures. This is ESPECIALLY true with a larger wedding party! I have a pretty loud voice so I can usually manage just fine. But, it is one of the nice things about having a second shooter!

What to Ask Your Photographer About Their Second Shooter

I know this sounds crazy, but I just want to put a disclaimer out there that I really don’t want to appear negative. There IS a practice going around with photographer’s that although I don’t think is “bad”, it is something you should be aware of when you are paying for an assistant / second shooter. Sometimes, the second shooter they bring, isn’t actually a photographer. Sometimes it is their friend or husband. If you find your photographer being vague about who they use for a second shooter – this is absolutely a fair question to ask. Often times, a photographer might not be able to commit a certain person.

Should your second shooter be listed in the contract?

Most of the time, second shooters are often chosen closer to the date because professional photographers can’t commit dates for what is typically a lower paying job than if they secure their own wedding. I have had the absolute privilege of being a second shooter for many wonderful colleagues, but I would always rather run the show. Even if they can’t promise a specific person, they should be able to give you a few examples of photographers they will chose from.

What’s the difference between a second shooter and a photographer’s assistant?

If you don’t have a second shooter, your photographer may still want to hire an assistant. This person is designed to help them carry around their gear and call out names during wedding party photos like I mentioned earlier. If it is NOT going to be a professional photographer (AKA: they are bringing their husband to help), they should be referring to them as an assistant, not a second shooter.

When you book a package that includes a second shooter, you are likely expecting a professional so it is best to set that expectation upfront. Personally, it’s a hard line in the sand for me 🙂 You pay for a second shooter, you get a second photographer.

Have any Questions about Hiring an Edmonton Wedding Photographer?

I am all ears! Send me a message on my contact form or hit me up on the ‘gram. My DM’s are always open and I love chatting with engaged couples on the regular! You can also follow me on Pinterest – if you end up booking me for your wedding day, there is a 90% chance that I will be asking to see your Pinterest board!