THE SCRIPT OF A SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER
When looking at photography packages, you might see the option to add a second photographer. But why have two — isn’t one enough?
Groom prep
If the groom is getting ready in a separate location, having a second photographer is the best way to capture those important moments. After all, your main photographer can’t be in two places at once!
When both the bride and groom are getting ready at the same venue, it’s usually manageable for one photographer to cover both sides of the morning prep.
But groom prep is just one of the many reasons why having a second photographer can add so much more to your wedding story.
The guests arrival
I usually arrive at the venue just before the bride, as most of my time is spent capturing all the little moments of bridal prep and her big arrival.
Since the groom typically gets to the venue earlier (as he should!), a second photographer can be there ahead of time to photograph guests arriving and those all-important shots of the groom waiting nervously at the top of the aisle before the ceremony begins.
The extra angles
The ceremony always flies by — most last no more than 15 minutes!
Having a second photographer during this time means nothing gets missed. While I’m focused on the key moments — the vows, the rings, the first kiss — a second photographer can capture the wider story: the groom’s reaction, the view from the back of the room, and those priceless guest expressions.
Because the ceremony is over so quickly, this is where a second photographer really proves their worth, adding depth and emotion to your wedding gallery.
The Couple shots
I love bringing my second photographer along for the couple portraits — it not only means we can get through them faster, but it also gives you so much more variety.
While I’m busy setting up the perfect, classic shot, my second can move around freely, looking for creative angles and unexpected moments. On one occasion, they quite literally disappeared into a bush and captured a unique perspective that ended up being one of the couple’s absolute favourite photos!
Having that second pair of eyes allows us to capture more, explore more, and give you a richer set of portraits to treasure.
The guest shots
After the ceremony, I’m usually straight into organising the group shots — and let’s be honest, rounding everyone up is never a quick job! During this time, the second photographer is free to wander and capture guests mingling, laughing, and enjoying themselves.
Their goal is often to try and get a photo of every guest, focusing on those natural, candid moments that really tell the story of the day.
Some of my favourite images have come from these in-between moments. For example, while I was capturing the main confetti shot from the front, my second photographer snapped a beautiful, unposed shot from the side — and it ended up being a real favourite.
What else?
And then comes the evening party! A second photographer is brilliant here too — capturing even more of the dance floor chaos and late-night fun. It’s especially valuable when your evening guest list grows and a whole new wave of people arrive, bringing fresh energy (and some questionable dance moves) to the celebration.
So should i book a second?
If you want maximum coverage of your wedding day, a second photographer is without doubt one of the best add-ons you can choose.
I know photography is already a big part of your budget, but having a second photographer can almost double the variety in your wedding album. It’s not just about more photos — it’s about better coverage. While I’m focused on capturing your personal story and the key moments, my second photographer can be getting guest reactions, alternative angles, and the little moments you’d otherwise never see.
A common thing I hear from couples is that they’ve been to weddings where the photographer didn’t manage to capture them at all — and that’s often simply because one person can only be in so many places at once.
With two photographers, you get more angles, more emotions, and a fuller story of your day. It’s a small extra investment that brings a huge amount of value to your final gallery.
Of course, if you’re not too fussed about extra guest coverage, alternative perspectives, or groom prep, then you may not feel the need for a second. But if those things matter to you, it’s one of the easiest ways to truly elevate your photos.
The cost of a second
Adding a second photographer is just £350 for the majority of the day, usually covering around 8–10 hours of your wedding.
Every penny of this goes directly to my second photographer — I don’t add anything on top. I also take on the extra editing work at no additional cost, simply because having a second photographer makes the day flow more smoothly for me too. It feels only fair to charge you exactly what it costs.
For £350, you’re getting incredible value. A second photographer can often double the size and variety of your wedding gallery — especially for larger weddings — giving you far more memories to look back on.
Is the second photographer someone you know?
Absolutely! For 99% of my weddings I work with the same second photographer. He knows exactly how I work, where to be, and I trust him completely to deliver incredible photos for your day.
Backup situation
It’s never happened — and I truly hope it never will — but in the extremely rare event that something happened to me on the day, having a second photographer gives you peace of mind that there’s still someone there to capture your wedding.
And rest assured, if anything were to happen before your wedding, I would do everything in my power to source a trusted replacement for you. But if the unexpected happened on the day itself, at least you’d already have another professional on hand to step in.
When not to have a second photographer
Whilst having a second is always beneficial there are some instances where it doesn’t add huge value such as micro weddings of less than 30 guests.. Whilst the extra angles are great for certain situations its situations like this i would advice a second is probably not worth the cost.
When and how do i add a second on?
The cut off is 4 weeks prior to the wedding for availability but the earlier the better realistically to guarantee availability.
To add a second on just drop me a message and i will process it on to your booking, you can also change your mind up to 4 weeks prior to the wedding too without charge.
