Capturing the Difference

Introduction

As your Bella Donna wedding coordinator, my goal is to help you make decisions that not only fit your budget but also perfectly capture the vision you have for your big day. One of the most important choices you’ll make is selecting your photography and videography team, as these are the memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

A question I often hear is, “Should we hire one person or two?” While both options offer incredible talent, they provide very different levels of coverage and storytelling. To help you decide what’s right for you, let’s break down the unique benefits of each option, so you can choose the team that will best document your unique love story.

Single vs. Two-Person Team: A Quick Comparison

Feature	Single Photographer / Videographer	Two-Person Team
Cost	More budget-friendly	Higher cost, more comprehensive
Coverage	Focused, single perspective	Multiple angles, full event coverage
Best For	Smaller weddings, elopements	Large weddings, complex events
Creativity	Consistent, singular style	Varied shots, dynamic compositions
Coordination	Simple, one point of contact	More coordination, team effort

One Person Team
Two Person Team

The Single Photographer or Videographer: Intimate and Cost-Effective

A single professional is a great choice for couples who want high-quality coverage on a smaller budget. This option provides a personal touch and a more focused approach to capturing your day.

This option works for:

Budget-Friendly: Hiring one person is more affordable, making it perfect for smaller weddings or couples with a tight budget.
Smaller Footprint: A solo professional can blend into intimate settings and capture candid moments without being intrusive.
Simple Deliverables: A single person can provide solid coverage of all the main events, which is enough to create a simple 2-3 minute highlight video.

This option is best for:

Smaller weddings, elopements, or couples who want a cohesive style and need to manage costs. If your wedding has fewer than 50 guests or is in a single location, one photographer or videographer may be all you need.

The Two-Person Team: Comprehensive and Dynamic

For larger weddings or couples who want a multi-dimensional record of their day, a two-person team offers unmatched coverage.

What makes this option stand out:

Multiple Perspectives: Two professionals can capture different angles at the same time, such as the groom’s reaction while the bride walks down the aisle.
Complete Coverage: A team ensures no moment is missed, from getting-ready shots to the last dance. One person can focus on the couple while the other documents the venue, decor, or guests.
Creative Variety: With two sets of eyes, you’ll get a mix of creative shots, from wide-angle views to close-up details, adding depth to your wedding album or video.
Dynamic Deliverables: A two-person team can capture a complete picture of your day with multiple camera angles of the ceremony, speeches, and dances, as well as simultaneous bride and groom prep. The possibilities for longer and more detailed deliverables are endless.

This option is best for:

Larger weddings (50+ guests), events with multiple locations, or couples who want a dynamic, comprehensive story of their day. If your wedding includes intricate details or a packed timeline, a two-person team ensures every moment is captured.

Breaking Things Down Further

1 Photographer vs 2 Photographers

Moments Captured	1 Photographer Team	2 Photographers Team
Bride Prep & Groom Prep	You must choose one location to cover, as the events often happen simultaneously.	Both locations can be covered at the same time, capturing both perspectives.
First Look with Dad	Captured.	Captured, often with one photographer on the couple and the other on the father’s reaction.
First Look with Groom	Captured.	Captured from multiple angles for a dynamic series of shots.
Bella Session	Covered.	Covered with diverse shots and creative angles.
Ceremony	A single perspective on key moments like the processional, vows, and first kiss.	Full coverage with multiple perspectives (e.g., one photographer on the couple, the other on the guests).
Reception	Focused on the main events like the grand entrance, speeches, and dances.	Comprehensive coverage, including candid guest moments and venue details.
Speeches	Captured from a single angle, focusing on the speaker.	Captured from multiple angles, including the speaker, the couple’s reactions, and the guests.
Dances	Focused on the main dancers (e.g., first dance, parent dances).	Broader coverage of the dance floor, including guests and all key moments.

1 Videographer vs 2 Videographers

Moments Captured	1 Videographer Team	2 Videographer Team
Bride Prep & Groom Prep	You must choose one to be filmed.	Both locations can be filmed simultaneously.
First Look with Dad	Filmed.	Filmed with one camera on the couple and another on the father to capture both emotional reactions.
First Look with Groom	Filmed from one perspective.	Filmed from multiple angles to create a cinematic and dynamic scene.
Bella Session	Covered.	Covered with diverse shots and creative angles.
Ceremony	Filmed from a single, static perspective.	Filmed from multiple angles with different lenses for a complete and dynamic edit.
Reception	A single camera captures the main events.	Multiple cameras capture a wider range of activities, including the dance floor and guest reactions.
Speeches	Filmed from one angle, focusing on the speaker.	Filmed from multiple angles, capturing both the speaker and the reactions of the couple and audience.
Dances	Focused on the main dances, like the first dance.	Multiple cameras capture the first dance from different perspectives, as well as the full party atmosphere.

A Greater Amount of Deliverables and Memories

A two-person team provides a distinct advantage in the number of memories and variety of deliverables you’ll receive from your wedding day. While a single professional can certainly capture all the main events, their greatest limitation is that they can only be in one place at a time. This means that with a one-person team, some moments must be prioritized over others.

With a two-person team, the possibilities for capturing your story become exponentially greater. This expanded coverage ensures that no memory is left behind.

Here’s what that looks like in your deliverables:

Comprehensive Coverage: With two professionals, your team can be in multiple locations simultaneously. For example, one can capture the intimate moments of the bride getting ready while the other documents the groom and his party, ensuring both sides of the story are included in your final album or film. This also allows for key moments like the first look to be captured from two angles at once, preserving both of your raw emotions.
More Memories and Angles: During the ceremony, one person can focus on you and your partner, while the other captures the reactions of your guests or the wider scene. During the reception, one professional can document the speeches and dances, while the other captures candid moments of guests celebrating. This comprehensive approach means your final deliverables will be rich with both grand moments and small, heartfelt memories you may not have even seen on the day.
Greater Variety and Depth: The collaboration between two professionals creates a more dynamic final product. You’ll receive a diverse mix of creative shots, from wide-angle photos that capture the grand scale of your venue to close-up details of your decor and emotional expressions. This added depth creates a powerful, cinematic story that a single-person team can’t replicate.

In short, choosing a two-person team is an investment in a more complete and multi-faceted collection of memories. The greater coverage and variety of deliverables mean you’ll have a more comprehensive record of your wedding day, ensuring every moment is preserved for years to come.

Summary

For couples deciding between a one-person or two-person photography and videography team, the choice often comes down to balancing coverage, creative vision, and budget.

A two-person team is a superior choice for couples who want comprehensive, dynamic coverage of their wedding day. With two professionals, they can capture simultaneous moments that a single person simply cannot, such as both the bride and groom getting ready or the couple’s first look and their reactions from separate angles. A two-person team ensures no moment is missed, offering a richer, more detailed account of the day from multiple perspectives. This approach provides greater creative variety, allowing for a mix of wide shots, close-ups, and candid moments that result in a more complete and cinematic final product.

However, if you are limited by budget or have a simplified vision, a one-person team will absolutely suffice. A single photographer or videographer is a fantastic, budget-friendly option for smaller, more intimate weddings, elopements, or events held in a single location. While they can’t be in two places at once, a solo professional can still capture the main events and deliver a cohesive, focused narrative. This option is ideal for couples who prioritize a singular creative style and are content with solid coverage of the most important moments, proving that you don’t need a large team to capture the heartfelt essence of your special day.

Let’s Bring Your Wedding Vision to Life

Ready to discuss your wedding day coverage?

At Bella Donna Studios, we’ll work with you to understand your needs and recommend the perfect option for your special day.

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(317) 732-7062
info@thebelladonnastudio.com
Chicago, IL
St. Joseph, MI
Indianapolis, IN
Orlando, FL

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