Do you really NEED two photographers at your wedding?

Do you really NEED two photographers at your wedding - I have three wedding photography collections and only one comes with two photographers. There is a reason, several actually, behind that. So let me fill you in!

Reason 1 - The majority of wedding you really really DON'T NEED to have two wedding photographers all day at your wedding. Honestly, you don't.

All you will get is way more wedding photographs of the same person doing different things. Which means, in my opinion, quantity over quality. How many photographs are you going to print of Uncle John dad dancing or downing a shot or hugging you mum for instance? Probably not even one - and being a wedding photographer that loves wedding albums and loves prints it's just a waste of my camera time and your money to me.

I'd prefer to capture one quality photograph that sums up Uncle John rather than three, four or more mediocre ones. Add onto that unless you are paying a decent amount for the second photographer they will "probably" (but not always) be of a lower quality or experience.

Reason 2 - It's as sales trick! Adding a second photographer makes the wedding photography look better. But as I mentioned above unless the second photographer is being paid a decent amount for their time (£350+) then they will usually be a lesser experienced photographer.

Just look at the overall pricing. Two photographers for £1200 including Graphistudio wedding albums, Graphistudio parent albums, multiple canvases and wall art means that the second photographer isn't getting a whole lot. I know how much Graphistudio wedding albums cost being in the business. Especially when the single photographer option is maybe £900 including a smaller Graphistudio album. It just looks too good to be true. By the way, I use nPhoto for my wedding albums. Outstanding quality with a lower price point. In fact, the quality is so a good many photographers think they are more expensive than they really are!

Reason 3 - Your wedding just isn't big enough. Yeah, I know...you think 80 guests is a lot. It's not. A single photographer can capture all the candid, fun, natural moments, plus groups, plus created moments in a wedding with that many guests.

Now if you are having a wedding with maybe 100 day guests then it is time to start thinking about a second photographer. 150 day guests then yes I'd definitely recommend one.

Reason 4 - Costs. This alludes to a few points I've made previously. A good second photographer costs money. I'd expect to pay £350+ for an experienced second photographer whom I could trust to go away and work by themselves and not need any input from me and produce outstanding images.

If I was second shooting that is the minimum I'd expect for all day photography. The second shooter has almost the same business costs as the main photographer so I'd be looking to make sure I cover those costs personally.