Planning a wedding in Seattle is such an exciting journey. Between the city’s vibrant energy, the mountains in the distance, and the sparkle of Puget Sound, your day already has the perfect backdrop. That’s when the big question comes up: do you really need a second shooter?
When you’re planning your wedding in Seattle, one of the big decisions you’ll make about photography is whether to book one photographer or two photographers. At Original Weddings, we offer both options, and the truth is—either can be the perfect fit depending on your day. Sometimes, one photographer is all you need to tell your story beautifully. Other times, hiring a second photographer for your Seattle wedding can add depth and capture moments from multiple angles.
Every wedding is unique. Some couples prefer intimacy and simplicity, while others want every glance, every tear, and every laugh documented from multiple perspectives. To help you picture the difference, we’re sharing six real Seattle weddings we’ve photographed: three with one photographer and three with a two-photographer team.
Our goal isn’t to convince you there’s only one “right” answer. Instead, we’ll show you how both approaches have worked for real Seattle couples—so you can decide what feels best for your wedding day.
Original Weddings is a team of Seattle wedding photographers and videographers. Please click here to learn more about our wedding photography and videography services.
When One Photographer Is Enough
For many couples, one photographer provides everything needed to beautifully capture their wedding day. If your guest list is small, your venue is simple, or your timeline is relaxed, they can cover all the important moments without missing a beat. Below, we’ll share three real Seattle weddings that demonstrate how one photographer can tell a complete, heartfelt story.
1 Photographer at Sodo Park
Sodo Park, located in Seattle’s SoDo district, is a venue that perfectly blends rustic charm with modern touches. On their special day, one photographer captured the entire event, documenting the spacious venue and its warm, candlelit atmosphere without missing a moment.
With a relaxed schedule and both the ceremony and reception taking place at the same location, one photographer was able to cover both the couple’s emotional moments and the lively dance floor. Every shot tells the story of the day in a cohesive and heartfelt way.
See more from Sodo Park Wedding // Gillian & Curtiss →
1 Photographer at Ray’s Boathouse
Ray’s Boathouse, known for its panoramic views of Puget Sound, is one of Seattle’s most iconic venues. Carmela and Julien’s intimate waterfront wedding shows how one photographer can beautifully capture the full story of the day.
Their photographer documented everything—from the vows with sailboats gliding by in the background to candid portraits on the dock—without missing a moment. With a small guest list and a simple, elegant setting, one photographer was more than enough to capture the couple’s special day from start to finish.
See more from Carmela & Julien’s Ray’s Boathouse Wedding →
1 Photographer at Starlight Meadows
Rachel and Eric’s wedding at Starlight Meadows was a beautiful outdoor celebration, surrounded by sweeping skies and natural scenery. With one photographer, the focus remained on the essentials: the ceremony set against the open landscape, couple portraits in the fields, and the cozy reception that followed.
Their gallery demonstrates how one photographer can tell a full, consistent story of the day while still capturing its richness and heartfelt moments.
See more from Rachel & Eric’s Starlight Meadows Wedding →
One Photographer Can Be Perfect for Many Weddings
For smaller or intimate weddings, one photographer can cover all the important moments and tell a complete, heartfelt story. If your wedding takes place at one venue and your timeline is straightforward, one photographer can beautifully capture all the important moments.
The Benefits of Having Two Photographers
Two photographers bring two perspectives, which can make a big difference—especially for larger weddings, tight schedules, or when couples want maximum coverage of every moment. Below, we’ll share three real Seattle weddings that show how two photographers can capture the day from multiple angles.
2 Photographers at The Lodge at St. Edward State Park
The Lodge at St. Edward is a sprawling venue surrounded by forested grounds and stunning architecture, making it perfect for couples who want both beauty and variety in their wedding photos. For Wiphada and John, having two photographers allowed us to capture the full story of their day from multiple angles.
While one photographer focused on the bride and her bridal party getting ready, the other was with the groom and his groomsmen, capturing moments happening simultaneously in different spaces. During the ceremony, one shooter captured the bride’s walk down the aisle, while the other focused on the groom’s emotional reaction.
See more from Wiphada & John’s The Lodge at St. Edward State Park Wedding →
2 Photographers at Imperia Lake Union
Amanda and Jacob’s wedding at Imperia Lake Union was vibrant, chic, and full of moving parts. With two photographers, every detail of their day was captured beautifully.
While one photographer focused on portraits of the couple, the other captured candid moments between guests, from hugs and laughter to spontaneous interactions. The sweeping rooftop views, lively cocktail hour, and intimate details were all documented simultaneously, ensuring no moment was missed.
See more from Amanda & Jacob’s Imperia Lake Union Wedding→
2 Photographers at Misty Clover Farm
Tierra and Bryce celebrated their wedding at Misty Clover Farm, an expansive outdoor venue full of rustic charm. With two photographers, we were able to document both the wide, sweeping views of the ceremony and the intimate moments happening simultaneously.
While one photographer focused on capturing the overall setting and large group moments, the other zoomed in on personal details—like tears during vows and reactions from family and friends. This dual perspective allowed every part of their day to be captured in a rich, cohesive story.
See more from Tierra & Bryce’s Misty Clover Farm Wedding →
Reasons to Hire a Second Photographer
A second shooter helps when your venue is spread out or when you want more close-ups of your guests’ reactions alongside the big moments. You also get more candid shots of guest reactions.
Seattle Wedding Films: Capture Every Moment with Two Photographers
We love capturing more than just still photos—wedding films let you experience the energy, laughter, and emotions of the day as they happened. With two photographers, every meaningful moment is captured from multiple angles, giving you a fuller story in motion. Watch Wiphada & John, Amanda & Jacob, and Tierra & Bryce’ weddings come to life in these films.
The Lodge at St. Edward State Park
Wiphada & John
Imperia Lake Union Wedding
Amanda & Jacob
Misty Clover Farm Wedding
Tierra & Bryce
Capturing Your Perfect Wedding Moments
From the emotional first look to the joyous last dance, our photographers and videographers are there to capture every detail with precision and creativity. Each image and video tells a piece of your love story, ensuring that no moment is forgotten.
One & Two: What We Learned From Seattle Weddings
From the six Seattle wedding case studies we’ve photographed, here’s what we’ve learned:
One Photographer Works Well When…
Two Photographers Are Ideal When…
Both options produce stunning results—as the galleries above show. At the end of the day, it comes down to your priorities and what feels right for your wedding.
One Photographer or Two?
Not sure what’s right for your Seattle wedding? Our team will guide you through your options to ensure every special moment is beautifully captured. Start planning with us today!
How to Decide What’s Right for You
Planning your wedding is exciting—we get it! But figuring out whether to go with one photographer or two can feel a little tricky. To make it easier, we’ve put together some questions to help you decide whether one photographer or two will capture your wedding perfectly—whether in Seattle or beyond.
Here are a few questions to guide your choice:
What’s your guest count?
If you’re planning a big Seattle wedding with 150+ guests, two photographers can make a big difference. They’ll capture every part of your day—from the ceremony to the reception—and all the little moments in between.
Are you in multiple locations?
If your wedding day includes events happening in different places at the same time, two photographers can cover multiple locations simultaneously. This means one can be with the bride getting ready while the other is with the groom, and later both can capture key moments during the ceremony and reception. One photographer can focus on intimate portraits of the couple, while the other captures guests’ reactions and the atmosphere of the venue—ensuring that no special moment goes unnoticed and giving you a fuller, richer perspective of your day.
Do you want every angle?
If you love the idea of seeing both your walk down the aisle and your partner’s face at the same moment, two shooters make that possible. One focuses on the couple, capturing intimate moments and portraits, while the other captures reactions, expressions, and the overall energy of the ceremony. This way, every glance, every laugh, and every tear is preserved, giving you a fuller, richer story of your day.
Do you prefer simplicity?
If you’d rather keep your wedding day low-key and intimate, one photographer may be all you need. They can focus on the moments that matter most—like your vows, portraits, and special interactions—telling a complete and heartfelt story without missing a beat.
After photographing so many Seattle weddings, we at Original Weddings know that every celebration is unique—big or small, intimate or grand, captured by one photographer or two. The truth is, there’s no right or wrong choice. It all comes down to what matters most to you and your vision for the day.
From the weddings we’ve had the joy of photographing, some couples found that one photographer perfectly captured their story—from heartfelt vows to candid, emotional portraits. Others chose two photographers and loved having multiple perspectives, capturing not only the couple but also their guests, the venue details, and all the little moments in between.
Either way, your wedding photos and wedding films, captured by our Seattle Wedding Photographers, will preserve the story of your day in a way you’ll treasure forever.
If you’re still undecided, we’d be delighted to help. At Original Weddings, we can walk you through your plans, discuss your priorities, and help you decide whether one photographer or two will best capture your special day.
Ready to start planning your Seattle wedding coverage? Contact us today and let our photography and videography services beautifully document every moment of your celebration.
Seattle Wedding Photographers
Let us capture your Seattle wedding with heartfelt photography. Explore our Seattle portfolio today!
Serving Couples in Seattle & Beyond
Address
1700 Seventh Avenue Suite 2100, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone
206-278-2820
