Why It’s Better to Have Two Wedding Photographers Than One (Sure It’s Only Common Sense, Really)

Listen, when you’re planning a wedding, your head’s already wrecked. You've got cousins wondering if they can bring plus-ones you’ve never met, and your uncle who insists on wearing a Hawaiian shirt because it’s "his thing." So when a photographer says, “Do you want a second shooter?”you’re probably thinking, “Is that legal?”

But no, no! A a second shooter/photographer! And here’s why having two of us snapping away is not only a brilliant idea it’s pure genius, altogether.

The three main things I say to people to consider when , if you're having a large guest list - anything over 150 people needs a second shooter due to the amount of people and the second thing is if Groom Prep and Bridal Prep are far apart and if the venue is large - think Castlemartyr, Inish Beg or Adare Manor or if theres a balcony at the church and you want a photo from above

5 reasons why you should add a second shooter to your wedding coverage

A black and white architectural photograph showing a figure standing in a doorway between classical columns.

Downstairs - 1st Photographer

A bridal party wearing elegant sage green bridesmaid dresses pose together in a formal room with antique furniture.

Upstairs - 2nd Photographer

1. I Can’t Be in Two Places at Once (Unless I'm Our Lady Herself)

While one of us is with the lads trying to find cufflinks and sort out a tie that’s more knot than fabric, the other’s with the gals, capturing champagne poppin’ and mammy pinning on the veil with tears in her eyes. Two prep locations = two photographers = no missed moments. Otherwise, it’s like trying to boil the kettle and shower at the same time, someone’s going to get scalded.

Wedding guests seated in wooden pews of an ornate church during a ceremony.

2. Ceremony? Covered. Guests? Covered. All Angles? Covered.

Imagine the ceremony: one of us is up front, catching your face as your beloved walks down the aisle, while the other’s at the back catching the exact same moment but from the teary-eyed cousin’s point of view. It’s like cinematic magic, only without the popcorn (though if you’ve popcorn at your wedding, fair play to you). These are all completely unscripted moments and it's impossible to put a value on these.

Joyful moment captured in black and white during an indoor wedding ceremony with bouquet at the altar.

Elegant wedding ceremony in a historic church venue with wooden balconies and ornate ceiling details.

3. One of Us Can Focus on Candids, which we all know is The Good Stuff!

Let’s be honest: posed photos are grand, but the real gold? Auntie catching the bouquet like she’s in the All-Ireland Final. Granny tearing up during the vows. Your mate doing The Worm after one too many G&Ts. A second shooter means those magic, blink-and-you-miss-it moments don’t get missed. Because you will blink and we won’t.

Elegant wedding reception venue decorated with white draping, chandeliers and tall floral centerpieces during dinner service.

Elegant glass conservatory with illuminated interior glowing warmly at night during a special event celebration.

4. Speeches and Reactions; The Full Craic

Sure, you want to see the best man mortified reading his speech off the back of a napkin. But what about the crowd roaring laughing? Or crying into their napkins? One of us on the speaker, the other on the room—it’s like having two sets of eyes, and neither of them crying from emotion. (That’s just hay fever. Honest.)

5. Twice the Eyes, Twice the Heart, Twice the Memories

At the end of the day, your photos are your memories. They’re what you’ll show your grandkids when you’re grey and full of stories. Two photographers means twice the chance of catching the little things: the hand squeezes, the quiet glances, the hugs that linger just a second longer. It’s not just extra coverage, it’s a fuller, richer story of your day. One you’ll relive again and again.