back story

A wedding day second photographer is important. If you know our story, you know we didn’t start shooting weddings as second photographers. We jumped in, head first, with NO IDEA OF WHAT WE WERE DOING, and our couples trusted us to capture their love stories. We’ve both been doing what lead photographers do and finding our way in the industry. We are forever grateful to every bride and groom who gave us a chance as we perfected our craft. Without you, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

As (I) Jes moved across the country, from California to Arizona, two things happened. I had to rebuild our brand and create a presence all over again. I also had to start learning what it was like to shoot with people other than my partner and #bffsoulmate, Megan. With this, I realized that I needed to start second shooting for other companies. This helped me build a rapport with planners and get experience shooting at a variety of venues. It also allowed me to be in the shoes of a second shooter, so when I add second shooters to our team, I can relate to their experience!

five reasons for having second photographer

Now that we have been on both sides of the coin, so to speak, we know that a second shooter is imperative on your wedding day. Here is why!

• They are an extra set of hands. Could you imagine if something were to happen to one of us on your wedding day? Having someone we can trust to carry on with the MaeWood brand and experience gives us and YOU security! This extra set of hands also allows us to focus on actually putting our creative craft to work! While we are shooting the details, the second shooter can grab the dress, hang it up, get a few safe shots, deliver items to the couple, and help the timeline run smoothly! This means more photos, more creativity, and a more hands-on experience!

• Our lead shooters can’t be in two places at once. As much as we wish we could have 8 arms and a body that just splits into two, we aren’t in a sci-fi movie! Having two photographers allows us to capture simultaneous moments during your day! The ability to get photos of the groom and the bride getting ready at the same time means the timeline is less packed and more relaxed. This also creates more time for you both to spend together, because we can get things done more efficiently. This is also amazing when the timeline gets behind. Rather than skipping details or cocktail hour, the shooters can split up so that nothing is missed or pushed aside for something else.

backup

• We have a backup for technology. We have invested in the highest quality gear on the market for professional wedding photography and videography. In addition, we keep our gear maintained and cleaned regularly. This, however, does not eliminate technological failures during your kiss, first look, or portraits! That is why we have not only an identical backup for all of our gear. More importantly, we also have someone else shooting! Our backup gear can only save the day after we grab it. A second shooter can save the day at the moment.

• Do you think family members magically organize themselves?! Family formals are essentially the most “difficult” time of your wedding day. Not because they aren’t important or because we don’t like families! We promise! We encourage couples to do family formals because they are the photos we can hold tight to and cherish when we need them most. However, it has the potential of being time-consuming, frustrating for our couples, and exhausting from the back-to-back smiles. We have to remember that our family members are human! They need to go to the bathroom, get a drink, they missed the announcement, they don’t think they would be included… the list goes on and on. Our second photographers can round up family members, get them organized and ready to hop in photos, and assist with all the things so that we can position, guide, and take the picture! This keeps family formals running efficiently and quickly. Keeping our couples happy and on time so they can enjoy their cocktail hour and alone time during husband and wife portraits.

backup

• Who doesn’t love more for their investment? Naturally, when you have two photographers, there will be more photos! When you have two videographers, there will be double the angles and perspectives to pull from to make your video more cinematic and timeless! The photos below are all from when I second shot at The Wright House with Save This Memory last fall. I am so in love with these images, and they wouldn’t exist if they didn’t have a second shooter. A second shooter isn’t supposed to shoot the same thing as the lead. Instead, they capture alternate angles. Photos that would have otherwise been missed because the lead can’t be in two places at once. Creative shots that provide variety and depth to the gallery! Would you want these images as a part of your gallery?

Photos edited and shot by MaeWood Collective while working with Save This Memory.