How many wedding photographers should you hire for your wedding? Should you hire a team or an individual? Here’s why Four Loves Photo & Film, a team of Catholic wedding photographers, recommends that you hire two people for the job.
Benefits of Two Photographers at a Catholic Wedding
Depending on the size of your wedding, your wedding photographer may recommend a package that includes two photographers. Two people on the job introduce several multiple perspectives of the wedding day into your final wedding film. It means that the cameras can capture every beautiful moment, particularly those small or surprising ones. For example, while one photographer follows the bride and groom, the second photographer may capture younger family members toddling around the pews, or grandparents smiling as they watch the newlyweds. All of these little moments supplement the authentic beauty of your wedding day.
Lead Photographer’s Point of View
At Four Loves Photo & Film, our lead photographer typically focuses on the processional and groom’s reaction when the bride enters. Throughout the Nuptial Mass, the lead camera focuses on the “action” of the Mass—the ambo, the altar, the readers—and shifts focus to the couple for vows.
Second Photographer’s Point of View
The “second shooter” is an industry term for the second photographer on your wedding day. This person may be present for the entire day with the lead photographer, or they may only be contracted for a set number of hours during the wedding day. For example, the lead photographer would be present before the wedding mass, during the wedding mass, and through the end of the wedding reception. Meanwhile, the “second shooter” may only work before and during the wedding mass.
While the lead photographer focuses on the groom throughout the wedding mass, the “second shooter” handles the bride’s entrance and other reaction shots. His or her focus is to capture creative angles and wedding guest reactions. By working opposite of the lead, a team of two wedding photographers capture a well-rounded perspective of the entire Nuptial Mass. As a result, the final wedding gallery and film seamlessly transitions between key moments like the bride’s entrance and the groom’s reaction.
Before the Wedding – Your Getting Ready Photos
The memories of your wedding day begin long before the nuptial mass begins. With brides and grooms getting ready for the big day in separate locations, two photographers are essential for capturing every moment.The most significant benefit of a two-person team is that the bride and groom have a dedicated photographer at their respective getting-ready venues for the entire time they are there. For instance, the lead photographer at Four Loves stays with the bride to capture essential moments like the mother buttoning the dress or the first look with dad. At the groom’s getting-ready location, the second shooter catches moments such as the groomsmen buttoning jackets.
If you do decide to hire two wedding photographers, confirm with the team that they plan to split up the photography this way—one wedding photographer with the groom, one with the bride. As a wedding guest, I have seen full photography teams miss capturing the groom completely because they ran out of time after finishing the bride’s photos. Discuss getting-ready photos with the photography team to ensure that every moment makes it into the final gallery.
Hire a Catholic Wedding Photographer Team
For a wedding album that truly showcases the sanctity of your wedding day, find a vendor who specializes in Catholic weddings. Between the holy atmosphere of the sanctuary and the reverence of consecration, there are boundaries throughout a Catholic mass that wedding vendors should respect. Catholic photographers are familiar with the mass format and know how to record every detail without interrupting the sacrament. Capturing a Nuptial Mass is a delicate dance with choreography that our team has perfected over the years. Additionally, Four Loves Photo & Film joyfully participates in the wedding mass with you—photographing, praying, and praising God for the gift of marriage.
Find a Catholic Wedding Photographer
Ready for a wedding film that showcases every pivotal scene of your big day? Submit the form below and let’s chat! Our team would love to hear your story and create a wedding gallery that you will treasure for years to come.
