One photog or two?

[sunnyd]

What do you think? Is one enough to get all the shots you need? Or would you just get one for more hours than you would if you had two?

What did you/are you planning to do?

 

[meresal]

I will be having 2 and they will be there for apprx 7/8 hrs. This was one of my deal breakers... here is why,

The sanctuary of my chruch is huge. The first level holds about 1500, and the second level is three separate sections and holds another 500 or so. It also has two aisles, not just one down the middle. I wanted to make sure that there are shots from everywhere and nothing is missed. My chruch is very strict about photogs not "moving around" during the ceremony, so I need another upstairs to get all the different angles.

For the reception I'm not so worried about needing two. However, it will probably be nice in the end, to see shots of us doing certain things, and then also having shots of the guests... like when my dad is giving his toast, I'd love to have a shot of my mom

.

Also, I am not having a videographer.

 

[bee*]

I''m only having one but I think that two is a really good idea. We''re having a videographer as well as a photographer so I''m hoping to catch everything.

 

[sunnyd]

We''re not having a videographer, so I''m pretty sure we''ll have 2 photogs, but man is it expensive to do so!!

 

[Blair138]

I''m having 2 photographers and a videographer. My photography place actually recommended 2 photographers because of the amount of guests...which is about 200-250...I was happy because it was no charge for the second!

Also, at my reception, the second photog is setting up a portrait station and the other photog will be snapping photos of the reception action.

 

[meresal]

Try shopping around for a photog that offers two with their packages.

Everywhere I looked they wanted to charge an arm and a leg for an "assistant/2nd photog". Well, I found one that always provides 2 professional photogs and I felt alot better. Also, their package was better than adding the $1000 that other places wanted to charge a-la-carte.

Not as many "bells and whistles" like albums, but I will get one album, prints and copyright release. I can make my own albums, for MUCH cheaper I might add

 

[sunnyd]

Yeah, that''s what I''m looking for. It''s hard to choose! This one comes with 2 photogs for less hours, this one comes with an album, do I even like the album...ahhhh!!

Definitely not apples to apples.

 

[kittybean]

I am having 2 photographers. I wanted to make sure I got several different angles during the ceremony, and during the reception, I want one photog to focus on getting photos of my guests. Although I''m sure I''ll love all the pictures of FI and me, I want to remember who else was there with us many years later!

 

[Clairitek]

My friend had her main photographer and then an assistant. I am partial to more candid photographs and I really enjoyed the shots from the assistant''s camera that were taken while the formal portraits were being taken. I think they made a nice mix of images with those from the main photographers camera. I can''t remember whether the assistant was there for the reception though.

 

[lliang_chi]

I''m having 2 photographers. I also want to have 2 videographers, so I''ve been looking at the packages. It''s up to you, but we''re having a larger wedding 200-ish guests and I thought it''d be too much for one person to cover. But if your photographer is confident that he/she will get everything then you should be okay. Make sure to get recs from couples who used him/her that have a large wedding just so you can hear if they were satisfied or not.

 

[violet02]

I thought mine was only one until he showed up with an assistant! So we had 2 and there were some great shots gotten with two. Also it helps the photographer to have assistance when running around crazed!

We had a videographer too but I'd definitely get two photographers.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 12/31/2008 11:53:56 AM
Author:sunnyd
What do you think? Is one enough to get all the shots you need? Or would you just get one for more hours than you would if you had two?

What did you/are you planning to do?

If you are not going with a videographer, I say go with 2 photogs. I really wanted to ensure that each moment was caught or that the same moment was captured from different perspectives so it was impt for me to go with 2. If I had a choice, I would go with 2 for a shorter period of time rather than going with one for longer. I think that the 2 photogs would just do a better job of summarizing the "story" of the day even if it were for a shorter length of time.

We went with one photog who is accompanied by a second shooter. Budget was impt so we did have to make some compromises with regards to the album etc, however, we think that we made the right choice. We have a year or so after the wedding to complete/purchase an album if we so choose.

Kate McElwee is a great Seattle photographer who offers a second shooter as well who has really reasonable prices. Her packages are customizable as well. She is a doll and I think that if I do do a Trash the Dress session I will be going with her even though she will not be the one shooting our wedding.

Good luck, Sunny ... This photog decision making stuff has been the most difficult for us so far. We were so happy when we finally made a decision.