When you're planning a wedding, there are approximately 4,782 things trying to eat your budget. 😂 So when you see a wedding photography package that includes two photographers, you might quite reasonably wonder whether you actually need two.
The truth is, you can absolutely have beautiful wedding photographs with one photographer. Having two isn't simply about getting twice as many photos — in fact, that's not really the point at all.
The biggest difference is that two photographers can capture two things happening at exactly the same time.
And on a wedding day, that happens constantly.
Two people,
two sides of the story
The wedding morning is a perfect example. If you're both getting ready at the same venue or reasonably close to each other, we can split up. One photographer can capture one partner getting ready while the other is with the other half.
That means both of you get the nerves, excitement, finishing touches and inevitable hunt for something that's mysteriously disappeared five minutes before you're supposed to leave 👀
Then we get to the ceremony - this is where having two photographers really comes into its own.
When one of you walks down the aisle, one photographer can be capturing that moment while the other is photographing the reaction at the other end.
Because as much as I'd love to tell you otherwise, I can't physically be at both ends of the aisle at once!
The same applies throughout the ceremony. While one of us is concentrating on the two of you saying your vows, the other can watch what's happening around you.
And there is ALWAYS something happening around you.
It might be Mum wiping away a tear, your best friend grinning from ear to ear, grandparents holding hands or one of the children deciding that sitting quietly through a wedding ceremony was never part of their plans.
They're moments you probably won't even know happened until you receive your photographs.
Your wedding doesn't stop when you leave the room
This is probably one of my favourite things about working with two photographers.
At some point, I'll steal you away for your couple photographs. I don't need you for hours, usually around 15–20 minutes is plenty, but while we're off creating those gorgeous portraits, your wedding is still happening without you.
Your guests are having drinks, catching up, laughing, hugging people they haven't seen for years and occasionally doing things that will absolutely require photographic evidence!
With two photographers, one of us can stay behind and capture all of that while the other is with you.
It's the same during speeches. Rather than concentrating solely on whoever has the microphone, we can photograph the speaker and the reactions around the room.
Because sometimes the best photograph isn't the best man telling the embarrassing story. It's your face when you realise which story he's about to tell. 😂
Two angles of the moments that only happen once
There are parts of your wedding day that we can't simply ask you to do again.
The first kiss, confetti, reactions, cake cutting and first dance are all real moments happening in real time.
Having two photographers means we can approach those moments from different perspectives. One might capture the whole scene while the other concentrates on the expressions and tiny details within it.
It gives your final gallery more depth without us constantly moving you around or turning your wedding into a photoshoot.
So, do you actually need two photographers?
Honestly, not every wedding does.
For a smaller wedding, shorter coverage or a more intimate day, one photographer may be absolutely perfect. A good wedding photographer should be able to tell the story of your day beautifully on their own.
But for a full wedding day, having two photographers allows us to tell more of that story.
Not necessarily by giving you hundreds and hundreds of extra photographs, but by capturing more of the things happening around you, particularly the moments you didn't get to see yourself.
And that's exactly why my full-day The Story collection includes two photographers.
The aim isn't to spend your wedding day constantly posing for photographs. Quite the opposite.
You get on with having the best day of your lives, while we make sure you get to see the bits you missed. ❤️📸
