When I first became a wedding photographer, I had a package with a second shooter because that is what everyone had. I started my business in 2012 and back then, everyone had second shooters. Most people used their husbands or college friends. I was lucky enough that when I met my ex husband, he was already filming weddings so adding him as my second shooter was an obvious choice.
After our divorce and I had to actually go find a second shooter and I had to ask myself why I needed one in the first place. What would they do? Were they even necessary? Did I even want to go find a stranger and pay them my money?
Well, I've been a wedding photographer for a long time since and my criteria for a second shooter is pretty specific. Most of the time if I'm just photographing a simple wedding, perhaps at just one location or maybe two, a second shooter isn't really necessary. In fact, my basic 8 hour photo package is just me. There are a few instances though, where I recommend to my couples that they add a second photographer.
The Groom (or second partner) Is Getting Ready Somewhere Else
If the groom is getting ready at a different location than the bride, I always recommend a second shooter. Some couples will choose to forego the second photographer and just fake some getting ready images at the venue when the groom arrives but this does feel a little like cheating. I personally think getting some photos of the groom getting ready with his guys is important. I am a photojournalist at heart and I love telling the entire story.
You Have A Large Guest List
As a photographer, I try to get an image of every guest at the wedding. This is near impossible for me to do if there are over 300+ guests. Having a second shooter available to take candid photos before the ceremony, during cocktail hour and during the reception makes sure everyone attending your wedding is captured. And on that note...
If You Want Images From Your Cocktail Hour
I typically take family photos after the ceremony. And if the couple didn't do a first look before the wedding, we also need to take all couple photos and joint wedding party photos. This can last anywhere from 30-90 minutes depending on the length of the family list and the size of the wedding party. Once I'm done with the post- ceremony photos, I typically run to the reception and try to get some images before people enter. This is also when I need to set up my lights for off camera lighting during the reception. I typically do not have any time for cocktail hour photos. If this is something important to the couple, a second photographer is needed.
You Have Entertainment You Want Photographed During Dinner
It has become a trend to have singers, games, etc during dinner to entertain the guests. If you want photos of these activities, you'll need a second shooter. While guests are eating, this is when I typically grab a bite to eat and back up all the images taken so far at the wedding. This is an important part of my day because it's where I have 20 minutes or so to make sure my batteries are charged, to change out my cards and make sure I'm ready for the toasts and dances. If there is entertainment during dinner, I am not available to photograph these events. A second shooter is great on hand to capture these moments.
When I do photography and videography at a wedding, I always have a second shooter. It's an important backup on the wedding day. All my second shooters also do photography and videography so at any given moment, we can both be doing photography or one of us can do photos while the other does video. This is important for occasions that only happen once at a wedding (first look, first kiss, reception entrance, sparkler exit). Other parts of the day, I can ask couples to repeat that kiss or pose for photo & video but some moments only last a second and it's impossible for only one person to get both photos and video.
Some people claim they can, but what they do is take screen shots of the video and edited them as photos. This is fine in a pinch but screenshots of the video are lower quality which is noticeable compared to the other RAW photos. For elopements, I typically put a video camera on a tripod as a back-up so I don't always need a second shooter --which works when there are few or no guests. This is not an ideal option in a big Catholic church (for example). So any larger wedding, I always have a second shooter there.
I hope this article was helpful in determining if you need a second shooter for your wedding. I don't think it's always necessary if all I'm doing is photography for a wedding but there are occasions when it's important.