One or two photographers?

cdbishop

FI and I are trying to decide on a photographer.  We are having discussions about who is within our budget and what we want from our photographer.  One thing it that I would like the photographer there from the beginning of the day when i'm getting ready, and I think it would be nice for there to be an assistant photographer so one person can be with me and the other can be taking pictures of FI and the GMs. 

FI isn't convinced of the idea of having a photographer with him and the guys in the morning as there isn't as much 'getting ready' as I will be doing and they will all have digital cameras.  I understand where he is coming from, but also kind of want the 2 photographers.  Any ideas/thoughts?

Mona8

We're having 2 photographers. Even if pics of the guys getting ready aren't important to you, it's still nice to get a second viewpoint or angle, especially of all the important moments you want captured. And if the the first photographer misses a shot you wanted, the second will be likely to get it.

kate212

I wasn't planning to have two photographers at first, but as a friend pointed out: you'll want a photo of you coming down the aisle as well as a photo of your FI's face when he first sees you coming down the aisle. It's hard to get both shots with only one photographer. That sealed the deal for me. Good luck!

Karebear852k3

We are only having one photographer.  That being said, our guest list is extremely small and one photographer should be able to cover the important shots for us.  (ie. Get the one of your groom first and then one as you come down the aisle.)

But it depends on how big your event is and how many angles they have to cover at once.  A GOOD photographer (not a greedy one) should advocate for what is best for your day (rather than just saying - "yes you need 2" because they'll make more money off of you).  Discuss your needs and your ideas for what your looking for with them and see what they say.

kate212

I should add that it's also not costing us much to have the second photographer, so that definitely helped with my decision. If it were more expensive for us, we probably wouldn't have done it.

KaHo384

I'm leaning towards 2. FI doesn't want someone hanging around with him while he gets ready, but I definitely want a second during the ceremony, and for the assistant to take some pictures of cocktail hour while we're doing our formals.

KaHo384

I should add that the photographer we're leaning towards (Amanda Taylor) has a rate of $50/hr for the assistant, and I only anticipate needing them for 1-3 hours, making it totally reasonable in my eyes.

crushme8602

Maybe it was just our photographer, but I feel like most photographers do provide a second shooter in their packages - even if they aren't part of 'their team'.

dannie134

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_one-two-photographers?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:4d8a55ea-9c21-4176-95cc-1dd1a28a753cPost:6b629978-eb64-43a3-9637-dd3c55047330">Re: One or two photographers?</a>:
[QUOTE]Maybe it was just our photographer, but I feel like most photographers do provide a second shooter in their packages - even if they aren't part of 'their team'.
Posted by crushme8602[/QUOTE]

Similar to this: we are having two photographers, I didn't think about it but it was offered as part of our (very reasonable in my view) package. Now that we will have a second, I'm really glad, because I think it means we're less likely to miss any important moments.

However, my sister had 1 photographer at her wedding and her pictures are lovely, so it's certainly possible to skip it if other things are more important budget-wise.

newportjulie

I think having a second photographer is important for all the reasons listed previously and what if the main photographer is really ill? The second photographer would still be there. 

Agnieszka Chwiedz

Our Package included two photographers for unlimited hours so they get the whole story from the AM to the end of the day. I had set a budget and blew that out of the water bc I the only thing left standing after the wedding are the pics. We got visual obsession out of Hartford, AMAZING!

cdbishop

Thanks everyone! I definitely want 2 photographers and have found packages that include that within our budget.  Just convince the FI using all the reasons above that 2 are necessary.

kls114

We are having two as well! They are a husband and wife team but even if they weren't we would of had two. I felt the same way about having a photographer with me and my girls and another with FI and his guys.

There are just some moments that I know I would love to see but I won't be able to so I am so happy that I will have them captured!

Lovinmark

We are having two with Catherine Fiehn, I love the way they work, one photographer does mainly photojournalism and the other artistic photos and the family photos etc You can also get three photographers in some packages.

crushme8602

What is your budget - I'm sure we can give you some rec's!

wrdgirl

One for me because I have a small wedding   I did contemplated two but the only reason I could think of for that is seeing FI get ready which is only takes about half an hour or so lol  Don't really want to pay for the second photographer for that.  And also the ceremony maybe but it's only for 30 mins as well.

If a photographer gets sick usually they send their co-worker with them, and of course they'll have to guarantee the quality because it's in the contract.

I think for larger weddings you definitely need 2.