Do you really need a second shooter for your wedding? Let’s talk about it.

Dear Bride,

I once photographed a wedding where the brides’s mom stood at the back of the ceremony, quietly holding her childhood stuffed animal in her hands. She never said a word about it. She just held it, tucked into her bouquet, smiling through teary eyes as her daughter said her vows.

No one noticed, not even the bride. But the second shooter did. She caught the moment from the back, while I was focused on the altar.

Later, when I delivered the gallery, the bride stopped scrolling. “I had no idea she brought that,” she whispered. “That was mine since I was three.”

That one photo told a story she didn’t even know was being written.

Do you really need a second shooter?

Not always. I’ve photographed plenty of weddings solo - especially small, intimate ones in a single location. But I’ve also seen how powerful it can be when there’s a second set of eyes capturing all the unseen moments you never knew were happening.

Here’s what a second shooter brings:

✨ Two stories, one timeline

If you're getting ready in separate places, one photographer simply can’t be in two spots at once. A second shooter ensures both your nervous giggles and your partner adjusting their tie are captured in real time, not rushed recreations later.

✨ Real emotion from both ends of the aisle

While the lead photographer is standing at the altar waiting for you, the second shooter might be behind you, documenting the last quiet second you share with your parent before walking down the aisle… or catching the way your partner’s jaw drops and a tear sheds when they see you. Those two angles tell both sides of your love story.

✨ The in-betweens

You’re smiling for portraits… and your sister is off to the side, crying into a tissue. Or your nephew just caught a ladybug on your bouquet. These little in-between snapshots? They’re the heartbeat of your wedding gallery.

✨ The things you didn’t even notice

While you're soaking in your first dance, the second shooter might be off capturing the way your grandma watches with her hand over her heart, or the silly toast your best friend gives by the bar, completely unscripted. These are the soul moments - the ones you’ll be so grateful to relive.

✨ More memories, more magic

It’s not just about quantity, it’s about depth. Different angles. Different reactions. A fuller story. That’s what two photographers bring.

But here’s what I want you to know most:

If a second shooter isn’t in your budget, that’s okay. A thoughtful, experienced lead photographer can absolutely craft a timeline that flows beautifully and covers the moments that matter most.

You can even ask about hiring a second shooter for just half the day - maybe during prep and the ceremony, when the day feels most split.

Because this is your story. And whether it’s captured through one lens or two, what matters is that you feel seen, held, and fully present.