Imagine all the potential pictures on your wedding day. Go ahead, imagine for real, because it’d take us way past Carriages o’clock to list them all here!
I mean, for starters there’s your outfits. Locations. Flowers. And then the love and laughter with your faves as you all do hair, make-up, gifts, ties, and buttonholes together. And of course the little ones’ excitedly tearing around. Oh, and your guests' happy faces as they see each other too. And all that’s before you’ve even walked down the aisle!
But then timelines, logistics, and the space time continuum show up. And suddenly all those amazing photos dwindle.
Because even though I’m quite handy with a camera, I can’t be in two places at once, I’ve only got one pair of hands, and I haven’t got eyes in the back of my head. Pfft, puny human.
That’s where a second photographer comes in.
ON SECOND THOUGHTS ...
Two wedding photographer team Northamptonshire
Why you might love two photographers
Becca & John
“While Sarah was traipsing across a field to get our favourite shot of the whole day (us serenely reflected in a lake with our venue behind us), Helen captured our guests relaxing and enjoying champagne. These photos have become greatly treasured because they captured a point in the day we never would have seen otherwise.”
Take it from them ...
It’s true: There are two sides to every story. Have a look at these side-by-side shots taken at roughly the same time (mine on the left, my second’s on the right) to see how two perspectives will give you a more complete story of your day.
What it looks like to have two wedding photographers
SAME TIME, DIFFERENT PLACE
Want to go back to reading about what it’d be like to have me capture your day?
Seeing double?
Think this all sounds super so far and ready to get in touch and find out more?
More memories of your family and friends,
avec finesse
A 360° perspective of your ceremony,
sans distraction
Precious photos of both of you as you get ready,
sans restrictive timeline
Three things a second photographer will add to your story…
Why you might want a two-photographer team
Jill & William
“We are so pleased we had two photographers, as it let us both see what the other was up to in the morning.”
Wedding morning law: Amazing moments happen precisely when your photographer isn’t there.
That’s because the story goes beyond hair, make-up, cufflinks, and ties. It’s also about who you’re with - and their love and excitement for you. It makes for some of the most special photos of the day. But these deeper moments don’t happen to a ‘12.43pm Put ties on’ schedule; they unfold in serendipity’s time. So half an hour here and half an hour there by one photographer might not cut it.
Invest in two photographers and someone’s always there to capture the parts of your day you had no idea were unfolding.
And there’s an unexpected bonus…
Easy-peasy planning and a more relaxed morning
Wedding mornings usually involve simultaneous plans in separate locations. It might be possible for one photographer to swap about and capture both of you. But it’ll require royal-parade-level coordination and execution. Which might work, but do you want this special time to be dictated by your photographer’s schedule? And have to balance multiple moving parts to stay on track? Just in the name of photos?
Morning preparations can be a lot anyway; two photographers makes it easier and more chilled. You can simply do what you want, when you want. And if something runs unexpectedly late (which happens 99% of the time, even though 100% of couples think it won’t!) … well, pas de probleme! Your photographer doesn't have to rush off and you still get all your photos.
Precious photos of both of you as you get ready,
sans restrictive timeline
Elizabeth & Patrick
“Somehow our two photographers were almost invisible while managing to take some incredible shots.”
Want the ultimate in unobtrusive and thorough coverage of your ceremony? That’s a job for a duo.
There’s no single spot from which an entire ceremony can be captured. For example, the aisle entrance can only be seen from the front, whilst a reading is only visible from the back. So with one photographer, you’ll miss some moments completely and settle for ‘the best of a bad angle’ for others. I can turn on stealth-mode to move subtly during a hymn or reading - but it relies on your officiant for permission to move and your location for a suitable route, so it may not even be an option. Decisions, complexity, compromise - urgh!
But with one photographer at the front and a second at the back, you'll get photos from complementary angles that tell the whole story - discreetly.
A 360° perspective of your ceremony,
sans distraction
Georgi
“What surprised me most were the little interactions between guests when they were arriving, which our main photographer wouldn’t have been able to see as she was with me getting ready. It was only half an hour but they’re some of our favourite photos.”
Your wedding day is a great opportunity to capture candid photos of your family and friends.
And the two best times for this are:
1. As they arrive for the ceremony
… But oh no, I’m on getting-ready-photos duty and only have 5 minutes.
2. During the drinks reception
… But oh no - with group photos, portraits, and your dinner set-up to photograph - I’m stretched thinner than the filling in a Costa Coffee egg sandwich.
So if it’s just me, you’ll get a taster of both of these things - but you’ll miss a lot. (Much like the egg in that sandwich). Le sigh.
But with a second photographer you have someone dedicated to your guests.
Which means more photos of your faves and better quality ones at that. Because it’s not about channeling Road Runner on Red Bull to photograph as many people as possible. It’s about the skill, time, and patience to spot and beautifully depict meaningful moments and great expressions.
More memories of your family and friends,
avec finesse
Built in back-up
03.
Increased creativity
02.
Collapsed timelines
01.
Three surprising things a second photographer will add to your day
My reputation and business depend on it. So please know if I (with my control-freak tendencies!) trust them to be exceptional, then you absolutely can!
They’ll be someone you can relax with - professional, friendly, discreet, calm, and caring.
We’re not clones, but your finished set of photos will look like one (time-bending) photographer captured it all.
3. COnsistent Photography
2. A similar soul
1. The goods
Things you can bet your chocolate buttons my team will bring:
You won’t know who it’ll be until around 3 months before your wedding. It’s like booking a secret hotel at that well known last minute travel website - the quality is guaranteed but the name is a surprise until nearer the time. This might seem unconventional in a wedding world that tells you to book everything early - but the flexibility means you get two top-tier photographers. It’s like a buy one, get one half price deal - but better!
Here’s the twist
Well, they’re my inner circle of fellow pros - highly experienced and incredibly talented professional wedding photographers in their own right. We work together frequently - so I know them, their approach, and their artistry inside out. And they always deliver.
So they’re actually very far from second photographers. And we each play a main role. ‘Co-photographer’ is a better description.
Curious who my second photographers are?
Meet the team
Katie & Brett
“Our wedding photos wouldn’t be the same without the extra pair of eyes!”
Yes, the price of my two-photographer team is above average. But hey, so is the service!
Photographers typically charge around £400 for a second shooter. But the thing is, that doesn’t cover the true cost once you add in the extra planning, editing time, and storage space - much less motivate someone to do a great job. The industry has got this wrong.
My fee is sustainable (because I’m in this for the long-haul) and means you get someone super experienced, reliable, and fired up to give their all. It’s basically two of me - for a fraction of the price - you know, if cloning was possible.
An open conversation…
This includes their time and genius on the day, a bit of planning before the day so they know everything I know, the extra post-production time, and of course, more amazing photos.
£95
per hour, bookable in whole hours only
Additional hours
£1200
From prep to the end of your drinks reception
Two for the price of one and a bit
Second photographer pricing
Common queries
“HEY, SARAH ...”
If I was getting married now, I’d have two photographers.
Because when I drive home after a day on my own, I grieve for the photos I couldn’t take because it was just me. For example, when I’m taking group photos, I’ll see lovely interactions happening out of the corner of my eye but not be able to stop what I’m doing to capture them. Or hear loud laughter inside the church while I’m waiting outside for the wedding car.
And it’s hard to admit this but a second shooter’s shots are often the standout ones. As the lead photographer, I’ll focus on the must-haves and there often isn’t time to do anything more. But a second photographer has more freedom to look for the unexpected moments that no-one could have planned or predicted. Those are always clients’ favourites.
It doesn’t matter how many photographers you have, there’s always more that can be done. But I’d want to save as much as possible.
Sadly, no. After years of working with second photographers, I’ve found coverage from prep to the end of the drinks reception is the optimum time frame to deliver a rounded record of your day.
Absolutely! Sometimes, I can easily cover things like your speeches, cake cutting, and dancing on my own. But if your evening is action-packed then I recommend having your second photographer for longer. It’s £95 per additional hour and is bookable in whole hours only.
Sure! If your guest list is over 150, you’d like couple/family shots for your guests, or you have lotssss of decor and details then another photographer is a great idea. Each additional photographer is the same price - £1200.
My team is chosen and hired by me. We’ll chat through your plans for the day and your vision for your photos, and then I’ll play Cupid to book the photographer who’ll best suit your wedding. It’s the foundation (and guarantee) for a great working partnership for us - and great photos and a seamless experience for you.
Sorry, but no. Whilst fun, weddings are a high pressure situation so I need to feel confident with my team. Less experienced photographers need time and attention from me that I’d rather put into your photos. When I totally trust my second, magic happens.
They’re not local - I’ve searched far and wide to find photographers who have the same mix of personality, approach, experience, and creative style - so it won’t be someone you’ve considered and not chosen.
Not if you book me! I partner with an amazing team of highly experienced pros. We’re both main photographers. Only the best for you!
If your heart says yes but your budget says no, I’d invest in one brilliant photographer rather than two mediocre ones.
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