When I was in my first year of photographing weddings, I didn’t require a second photographer in my wedding packages. I left it as an optional “add-on” for my brides to choose from, instead. But, I quickly realized that I NEEDED a second set of hands on wedding days and, looking back, I have no idea how I photographed wedding days alone! During that first year, I ended up having to bring on an assistant to help me on wedding days when the bride didn’t hire a second photographer!

If you are a wedding photographer and you are trying to decide whether or not to include a second photographer in your packages, I’m going to break down the top 3 reasons I believe that you SHOULD have a second photographer on every wedding day.

1. TO CAPTURE A SECOND ANGLE

This is the obvious reason that a second photographer is necessary…and it’s an important one! On every wedding day, Drew and I break down the way we photograph: I capture the action, and he captures the emotion. We structure the entire wedding day around this idea, and it ensures that we NEVER miss a shot for our couples! Additionally, he is able to photograph parts of the wedding day that I would not otherwise have time to do (like cocktail hour, groomsmen getting ready, etc).

2. TO ALLOW YOU TO FOCUS ON YOUR COUPLE

This one is HUGE for us! Drew’s number one priority on wedding days (other than photographing!) is to help remove distractions so that I can focus on loving and serving my brides and grooms. He carries equipment, sets up lighting, runs errands, gets our meals and works SO hard behind the scenes to allow me to focus on ONE job on the big day! So thankful for this!

3. TO SAVE YOU TIME IN POST PROCESSING

One of my favorite things that Drew and I started doing on wedding days recently is this: when the reception starts to die down and the dancing is coming to a close, Drew will put down his camera and start off-loading memory cards onto my hard drive. This way, ideally, the entire wedding day (with the exception of my last memory card!) is already off-loaded by the time we leave the venue! Then, I can start culling immediately upon getting in the car or returning home, and I’ve gained hours of post-wedding day sleep (yay!)

If you don’t already have a second photographer in your wedding packages, I’d recommend adding one now! It will completely change the way you are able to serve on wedding days!

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Chelsey + Marc An Atlantis Resort Wedding | Paradise Island, Bahamas