Adding a 2nd photographer - worth it? how much to budget?

FutureMrsLMS Posted: Jan 19, 2010 09:38 AM

Adding a 2nd photographer - worth it? how much to budget?

After seeing reviews and contacting other LIW brides, I was thinking toward adding a 2nd photographer from another Photo company (ie booking Thomas Paul in addition to having 2 photog's from Duet, etc)..

I am thinking of doing this - even though my current photo/video vendor will be providing 2 photog's - because :

(1) I will have peace of mind (have heard some negative reviews of my photog and I just don't want any mishaps on the big day, and

(2) adding a 2nd photographer may give me additional photo-journalistic pictures (my current photo company is mostly traditional and really caters to brides who just want the basic bread and butter pictures and poses).

So for those who have done this or are doing this, --- what are the PROS and CONS? Would I be able to just forgo additional albums and only hasve a bride/groom album for the photo-journalist shots?

Also, how much did you budget extra to add another photographer? How 'worth' it is it really to have another photograhper there ?

TIA!

jmgoncal Posted: Jan 19, 2010 10:07 AM

Re: Adding a 2nd photographer - worth it? how much to budget?

This is a tough call. It might be too hectic with 2 different photography companies running around (so in your case 3 people) trying to direct shots. Maybe talk to your current photog first? Or talk to the photog you'd be interested in hiring to see his take on it - they might charge you the same amount as if they were your original photog and then maybe it wouldn't really be worth it?

MikesBride2B Posted: Jan 19, 2010 10:17 AM

Re: Adding a 2nd photographer - worth it? how much to budget?

Many photographers won't work with someone from another company.

Iluvpoodles Posted: Jan 19, 2010 10:19 AM

Re: Adding a 2nd photographer - worth it? how much to budget?

I don't think it would be worth it personally.

AwaitingAugust Posted: Jan 19, 2010 10:21 AM

Re: Adding a 2nd photographer - worth it? how much to budget?

i don't think it's worth it ...

if you have friends who have good cameras, maybe they can take additional pics for you and be your 'extra photographers'

springsandra Posted: Jan 19, 2010 10:22 AM

Re: Adding a 2nd photographer - worth it? how much to budget?

Check your contract. Mine specified that I could not hire another professional still photographer at the wedding.

Our photographer brought a second photographer along and between the two of them, we got amazing and wonderful shots of everything we could've hoped for. 2 photographers from the same company should be enough -- just make sure they have one who is the 'primary' for the main traditional photos and hopefully the other can take more candids / photo journalism style pictures.

AdriandSteve Posted: Jan 19, 2010 10:22 AM

Re: Adding a 2nd photographer - worth it? how much to budget?

I'd stear clear of that. It's not so much a matter of not working together at all, it's about not working together well. Photographers are very posessive about the pictures that they take. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing but it's def true. They want to be the only one capturing certain shots.
They get angry at videographers when they are in their shots and they don't allow DJ zap shot people to take the same shots as them. If your going to add someone else make sure they are from the same company.

soontobecruz Posted: Jan 19, 2010 10:23 AM

Re: Adding a 2nd photographer - worth it? how much to budget?

I would imagine it could get comeptitive between the 2 companies. You don't want your guests pushed to the sides bc oen photog from each company is trying to get each shot.

So you are booked with Duet? Who do you have, I thought with all the packages youget one who specialized in photojurnalistic images and another who is more specialized in traditional so you do get both.

halfbaked Posted: Jan 19, 2010 10:25 AM

Re: Adding a 2nd photographer - worth it? how much to budget?

Posted by jmgoncal

This is a tough call. It might be too hectic with 2 different photography companies running around (so in your case 3 people) trying to direct shots. Maybe talk to your current photog first? Or talk to the photog you'd be interested in hiring to see his take on it - they might charge you the same amount as if they were your original photog and then maybe it wouldn't really be worth it?

ITA. I think you'd be better off just scheduling a day after shoot or something like that. That's what we're doing since we don't have time between the ceremony/reception to go to a second location for pics.

brittndave Posted: Jan 19, 2010 10:26 AM

Re: Adding a 2nd photographer - worth it? how much to budget?

Posted by soontobecruz

I would imagine it could get comeptitive between the 2 companies. You don't want your guests pushed to the sides bc oen photog from each company is trying to get each shot.

So you are booked with Duet? Who do you have, I thought with all the packages youget one who specialized in photojurnalistic images and another who is more specialized in traditional so you do get both.

I agree. It's not worth it! And if you're booked with Duet, you can't have another professional company...

Duet does both traditional and photojournalistic shots, they really don't specialize in the normal bride and groom posed shots

mokie74m Posted: Jan 19, 2010 10:32 AM

Re: Adding a 2nd photographer - worth it? how much to budget?

I did this for my wedding and it def wasn't worth it. Too many photogs just get in the way of each other and you could possibly end up with the opposite result you were intending. For example, because of too many photogs and them being in each other's way you could miss out on really good shots. The other thing is you could end up with numberous pictures of the same shot because both photogs are taking the same exact picture. Both things happened to me. I wish I wouldn't have hired the 2nd photog it was a waste of money.

If I were you I would stick with your original photographer and their assistant. If they don't have an assistant then that's something that I would suggest you get added but as for a 'second photog' from a different company, I would not suggest that. JMO

FutureMrsLMS Posted: Jan 19, 2010 10:33 AM

Re: Adding a 2nd photographer - worth it? how much to budget?

thanks for the tips ladies!!

I am not booked w/ Duet- I just used them as an example.. I def don't want a war between 2 photograhy companies on my wedding day!..