With two photographers, one person can get the conventional photos taken care of while the other captures moments of emotional elegance.
The first shooter is the traditional photographer. This individual is in charge of a long list of must-have photographs that are customarily captured during a wedding. This task alone would create a full agenda for one person on one day, but this photographer must also be entertaining and likeable to everyone who attends the wedding. Their personality must come through in a pleasant and polite manner. They’ll be “putting on the show” for the clients—cracking jokes, directing people, lending assistance, and giving helpful hints. They’ll need to grab everyone’s attention.
Equipment: Canon EOS-1D Mark III with EF 85mm f/1.8L USM lens. Exposure: f/2 at 
second and ISO 1000.
The photographer who is asking a group to pose and smile one moment cannot ask the subjects to stop looking at the camera and behave naturally the next. It’s impossible to get unposed shots when you are in the spotlight. Therefore, there should be a second photographer who is free to explore the day as it presents itself. Having no list of required photos to take, he or she can move around, seek out perfect moments, watch scenarios unfold as a guest might see them, and capture them in as emotionally resonant a way as possible. This division of labor allows the second shooter to find the best lighting and positioning, then patiently wait to capture high-impact images.
The client should have no expectation as to the number of photos the second photographer will provide. If they return with only five photographs—but those five images are absolutely stunning—then they’ve accomplished their task.
If you’re shooting solo, you must make it clear to the bride that in order to capture unscripted moments as the day unfolds, you’ll need to blend into the crowd, and she won’t receive traditional wedding coverage. If that’s just what she’s looking for—and she understands the constraints and advantages of your style—she’ll be happy with the final images.
It’s important not to bite off more than you can chew. If you’re capturing candid images, don’t try to capture traditional photos too.
Equipment: Canon EOS-1D Mark III with EF 50mm f/2.8L USM lens. Exposure: f/2.2 at 
second and ISO 640.
