Why I Enjoy Being A Second Photographer

Ben Hellstrom of Hellstrom Photography is a rising wedding photographer in the South Bay Area. He had a wedding booked close to me. The wedding ceremony was going to take place in Los Altos, CA and the wedding reception was going to be at the Rengstorff House in Mountain View, CA. As he continued his search on social media for an experienced wedding photographer to be his second photographer, I reached out to him and told him that I was available.

I strongly believe that networking with other vendors such as photographers, videographers, DJs, make up artists, wedding coordinators, etc. is important because it helps build a strong community, you can bounce ideas off each other, help each other out in the future if things go well, and it feels good knowing you helped capture some of the most important moments of a couple’s commitment to each other.

Once Ben saw my work on my website and Instagram, he reached out and asked if I was interested in being his second photographer. I agreed to help him out knowing that I was going to connect with another photographer so we can learn from each other, get to meet a madly in love couple that was ready to tie the knot, and document memories that would last a lifetime.

What’s A Second Photographer

On a wedding day, a second photographer works with the main photographer to capture different angles, different situations (ex. the bride and groom get ready at two different locations at the same time so the main photographer goes to one location while the second photographer goes to the second location), follows a timeline, follows the lead of the main photographer, can get more creative shots, and assists the main photographer throughout the wedding day.

Why You Need A Second Photographer For Your Wedding Day

There are many reasons to have By having a second photographer, you get the following

The process of taking photographs goes faster especially when it comes to group photographs
Someone with a different point of view for photographing the couple
Different perspectives of your wedding day
An extra backup so that important moments have twice the chance of being captured
Main photographer and second photographer can split up when things happen at the same time:
- One captures the bride getting ready and other can capture the groom
- One can wrap up family photos while the second takes reception detail photos
- One photographer can get the speeches while the second gets guest reactions to speeches
More photographs to celebrate your big day

Please do consider hiring a second photographer for your wedding day as you will get to work with two creatives that want to document your big day and share as many beautiful, unforgettable, moments with their photographs.