If you’re new here, allow me to introduce myself: my name is Abigail Gorden, and I’m a Los Angeles-based wedding photographer serving Southern California. I took a brief step away from weddings while pursuing photography in the entertainment industry, but when things slowed down due to the strikes, I found my way back to a lifelong passion of mine, wedding photography.

I rediscovered this specialized art form by second shooting for some of the top wedding photographers in California, and it completely reminded me why I love documenting wedding days!

Through second shooting, I quickly realized how valuable it is to have a second photographer on a wedding day- especially when I’m the lead shooter. So what exactly is a second shooter, and why should you have one? On a typical wedding day, there are a lot of moving parts and a lot happening all at once. One wedding photographer can only be in so many places at one time. A second shooter works alongside the lead photographer to provide more coverage, making sure no important moments, angles, or perspectives are missed. The result? Less stress, more complete coverage, and better storytelling of your wedding day.

The above photos illustrate the significant benefit of having a second shooter accompany the lead photographer on your wedding day. One photographer can stay with the bride while she gets ready, while the second shooter can be with the groom as he gets ready.

As a California wedding photographer, I believe the most important part of capturing a wedding day is the storytelling- especially through cinematic wedding photography. When you have a second shooter, you get a more complete picture of your day and a fuller wedding story. With two photographers, you get multiple perspectives: the wide, scene-setting shots and the emotional close-ups that capture how it all felt. While one photographer focuses on you and your partner, the second shooter can document candid moments, guest reactions, and in-between details. This means more angles during the ceremony, first kiss, reception, and speeches- and ultimately, more complete wedding photography coverage. You get to relax and be fully present on one of the biggest days of your life, without worrying about missing moments or gaps in coverage.

Jessica & Eddie’s Los Angeles wedding was full of joy from start to finish- I don’t think their smiles could have been any bigger! They made an excellent choice by hiring an experienced wedding photography team of two California wedding photographers. These images show how two photographers working together can capture different perspectives throughout the day. While the lead photographer focused on candid, emotional close-ups, the second shooter captured wider reception shots that establish a sense of place, along with genuine reactions from their wedding guests.

In conclusion, if you’re planning a wedding in Los Angeles or anywhere in California and want full coverage, I’d love to chat about what a second shooter could look like for your day. You won’t regret it 🙂

See more wedding photography inspiration on my Pinterest!