Two Photographers for an Event

This question particularly relates to capturing a group shot or an event.  Many photographers work alone, but they can hire an assistant or better still a second photographer if they need to. 

Here at Roth Read Photography we're lucky enough to be in a position where we can do all our shoots together.  

Will You Have an Assistant?  

A photographer can only be in one place at a time.  Bring in a second photographer and now it is possible to capture the event as it unfolds across numerous areas. 

For instance, one photographer is capturing the awards ceremony on stage and the other is capturing the reactions of the guests at the award winner’s table.  

It is also an opportunity to take photos from different angles and positions: the detail and drama from the stage and the whole scene from the back or above the event.  

Manage Group Shots  

Gathering everyone together for a group shot, whether at an event or in the office, can be time consuming.  Often people are eager to get on with their day or return to the celebrations. 

Managing those final technical adjustments to the camera and lights can take a few moments and may cause some frustration for the photographer and group alike. 

This is the moment the Assistant will step up to organise and pose the group; now the group is engaged and the photographer taking the shot has space for fine tuning. 

Capture All the Action  

Once the ceremony is over and the guests begin to interact, there are more opportunities to capture any action with 2 photographers around.  We actually use walkie talkies to communicate and improve co-ordination – and, it has to be said, to look like spies! 

No two photographers are the same and, although we are very similar, we each have a couple of areas where we shine.  This is where a second photographer can rally take the images to a new level as now it is possible to offer a varied perspective and capture multiple, simultaneous aspects of the event.   

So, there you have it, a few good reasons to ask your Photographer whether he is flying solo or has a wing (wo)man.