We pretty much always shoot weddings together, so there are two of us on hand all day capturing everything. But why do we think this is important and what are the advantages to having two wedding photographers?
TWO DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
The differences in what makes a good photograph a great one are often quite subtle. Sometimes it's a matter of perspective. Getting to see the same scene from a different angle is one of the beauties of having two photographers.
It can be as simple as the difference between a close-up and a wide shot or taking the same shot from a different angle or with a different lens.
TWO DIFFERENT STYLES
While we have an overall style to our work and a set of values and goals that we try to adhere to, we are still different people with different styles. We have strengths and weaknesses that balance out because there are two of us.
Deci is excellent at doing group shots but not as keen on decor shots while I'm the opposite. I love close-in, intimate shots while Deci favours wider more dramatic ones taking in the scenery. Having shot together for so long, we know how to work to our strengths to get the best overall coverage of your wedding.
PREPARATIONS
All weddings have one thing in common; there are two people getting married. Two families coming together. When you have two photographers, it can mean that both preparations are covered.
At the very least it allows one photographer to go to the ceremony early to capture guests as they arrive, while the other stays behind for final preparations. One of the coolest things about wedding photos is that you get to look back and see parts of the day that you missed.
TWO PLACES AT ONCE
So much happens at a wedding. And unless your photographer has developed a Flux Capacitor, they cannot be in two places at once. So, if they're in the reception room photographing your wedding details, or taking family formals, they're not shooting guests at your drinks reception.
Having the two of us at a wedding gets round this. If one of us sees the other photographing a scene, we leave them to it and find something else to shoot. Sometimes the coolest things happen when you've got your back turned.
ACTION AND REACTION
For every bit of action that happens at your wedding there will be a reaction. While one of us will be watching and capturing what you do, the other will be watching and capturing your guests and their reaction.
The reaction is usually where the magic is.
IF THINGS GO WRONG
Your photographer will likely have high-grade professional equipment that's in good working condition and up to the task of shooting your wedding. But it's still technology, and things can go wrong - look up 'Ferrari goes on fire' on google, and you'll see that even fancy, expensive things can let you down.
Two photographers are good insurance against potential technological catastrophe. In our case, there are at least four cameras used at every wedding, making us much more resilient to those horrible tech gremlins.
MAXIMISING YOUR TIME
You don't want to be away from your guests for 4 hours on your wedding day. Having two photographers can speed up portrait sessions. Often one of us is scouting the next location/shot while the other is taking a portrait. Or we can shoot wide and close shots simultaneously, giving two different perspectives at the same time.
If time is super tight, one of us can go photograph guests or details while the other concentrates on portraits.
YOU'LL GET MORE IMAGES
While having two shooters helps during the actual shooting of the wedding, when it comes to editing it makes our job harder - but this is good for you. We'll have more images from four cameras to sift through and then edit.
We end up with twice the unique photos we'd have as a single shooter and as a result, end up delivering a lot of pictures to our couples with a greater range of perspectives.
ARE THERE ANY DISADVANTAGES?
There might be a worry that two photographers can result in inconsistency or a mishmash of styles. For us, this simply isn’t the case. We have been shooting weddings together for over a decade. Our styles compliment each other, we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and we use the same cameras/lenses.
One disadvantage is that having two photographers will probably cost a little more. After all, two professionals are working at and travelling to your wedding, not one. And then afterwards there is more time spent culling and editing the images. The difference in cost is usually fair when you consider the many advantages that they bring.
CONCLUSION
In many surveys of married couples, photography usually pops up as one of the key things they wished they hadn't scrimped on. When the flowers have died, the cake has been eaten, and dress packed away in plastic, your photographs remain. Your kids and grandkids inherit them. As people pass and we get older and greyer, they are always there to remind you of the happiness you had together on that day. If you can afford two photographers to shoot your wedding, it's a worthy investment.