How to not be an Annoying Photographer
I’ve been in this industry for nearly a decade. And one of the most foundational skills I’ve learned for this job is not video editing or camera control or gimbal mounting or even how to capture footage in a cinematic fashion or anything like that. The most important skill I have learned as a wedding videographer is how to work with other vendors. I mean, think about it, vendors don’t hire each other. The bride does. And the odds that each vendor has worked with each other at a different wedding is highly unlikely. In fact, if I see a vendor I have worked with before, it’s usually a fun unexpected reunion. “Hey! You were the DJ for Grace and Brian’s wedding, right?” “Oh hey! Great to see you again! You coordinated Jessica and John’s wedding, right?” It is far more likely that each of the vendors is brand new, and that’s normal. But isn’t that kind of crazy? It’s normal that I am dropped into the middle of a very stressful day and immediately have to work with a bunch of people I’ve never worked with before. We all have to be on the same page, communicate, and, most importantly, stay out of each other’s way.
That’s not easy. I mean, capturing a wedding is hard enough, but on top of the stress of working the biggest day of someone else’s life, I now have to do it while coordinating my work with a bunch of strangers. Getting what I need while also making sure they’re able to get what they need. And while there are a lot of vendors (DJ, florist, planner, officiant, etc.), no vendor has as much influence (for better or worse) over my work as does the photographer. So, from a videographer’s perspective, let’s take a moment and point out some practical tips for photographers to not be a pain to work with:
(Don’t worry, I’m also writing an entry on how not to be an annoying videographer)
Invest in a telephoto lens - Ask any videographer what the number one complaint they have about photographers is and it would have to be their interference with shots, especially during the ceremony. I have even heard couples complain about this. “We were exchanging our rings and our photographer was all up in our business. I almost told them to back up.” The solution to this is pretty simple. Get a telephoto lens. Yes, they’re expensive. But if you are a good photographer, just set one wedding aside as your “telephoto lens wedding” and use that money to buy one. Tax write off. Done. Not only will this help us videographers get our shots without you in the way, but it will also give your galleries some much needed variety. Wedding photography is a professional job, so I believe that requires professional gear.
Don’t be cynical - Working in the wedding industry is stressful. And yeah, a lot of weddings look the same. As vendors, we live in a sort of Groundhog Day type situation where we sometimes feel like we’re living in a recurring wedding day. The faces and scenery change, yet it all feels oddly the same. But if you let this turn you into a critical/cynical person who mocks couples behind their backs or just complains about everything from the timeline to the food to the obnoxious uncle to the music, it’s time to find a new job. While weddings can feel routine, they don’t have to. There is so much to appreciate. So many real moments. So much love. So many opportunities to stop and feel honored that you have been chosen to be present for the most intimate moments of someone else’s life. Being cynical is a choice. So don’t choose it.
The elbow of death - I’ve had so many incredible shots ruined by the elbow of death. What is it? It’s when a photographer turns their camera to portrait mode (aka “up and down”) and flares their elbow beside their head. That is right in the spot where my camera usually is. This has ruined so many shots, but it doesn’t have to. Like I said, I’ve worked as a wedding photographer, so I know this isn’t entirely necessary. Portrait orientated photos can be taken without flaring an elbow. You can just as easily tilt your camera with your elbow tucked. I know this because that’s how I take portrait style photos. It takes some practice, but to me it’s worth it because it hardly costs me anything.
Don’t make the day about you - This is one of those things I wish I didn’t have to say. But some photographers can be pretty self-centered. The day should be about the couple and what the couple wants, but the needs of the photographer can sometimes become the priority. For example, the couple wants to go into the reception and eat, but the photographer keeps them outside for a couple session. Sometimes, the photographer feels the pressure of having a complete gallery, so they will force the day to appear like the other weddings they’ve shot, shoehorning their content into a prepackaged system rather than letting the day unfold as it is. Yes, weddings are content and content is how we get jobs, but it should be obvious that this does not take precedence over someone else’s wedding day.
Don’t just pose - I worked with a photographer one time who said “I don’t pose, I direct” and I thought that was brilliant. Now, I know some pictures require posing, and I’m not against that at all. But couple sessions are much easier if video and photo can happen simultaneously, and this is often not the case with poses. But if there is motion and the couple is moving (laughing, walking, or interacting in some way), then the videographer should be quite content.
Ask “are you good?” - Simply taking a few seconds to ask the videographer “are you good? Do you need anything else?” goes a long way. I always appreciate this so much, as I have worked with photographers who basically pretend like I don’t exist. Most of the time, I am good. But on occasion there is something I need, and having a moment to express that need helps both my relationship with the photographer and the content I capture of the day. And a lot of times, when I set up my shot, the photographer also gets a unique shot they wouldn’t have otherwise had. Win, win.
Be a good leader - If you’re not a seasoned photographer, this one is tough. But in order to be a good leader, you must know what you’re doing and be confident. As videographers, we look to you to lead the day. And if you are placing subjects in bad lighting, posing awkwardly, taking too long during sessions, not managing time well, or giving improper instructions, we won’t get great videos.
Don’t insert yourself into moments - Understanding the difference between moments and portraits is imperative to wedding photography. A couple session is not a moment. Talk to the couple all you want and be as loud as you want. A first look is a moment. If you talk and insert yourself into that moment, not only will you interfere with the couple’s ability to be present, but you will also be recorded. And when the videographer tries to edit that moment into the video, your voice will be in it. This especially goes for private letter/vow reading. Be conscious about not only talking, but also crunching leaves as you walk, silencing your shutter, etc.
Don’t bicker with your spouse - This one goes for photography couples. There is nothing better than working with a fun couple with great dynamics and a healthy relationship. But all the “babe I told you to get my flash” and “I don’t know, you can’t look at the timeline yourself?”… Yeah… leave that in the car. Nobody wants that.
Communicate - After years of doing this, I pretty much know where to be and when, and I know where photographers will be and when. But there are still moments (mostly first looks) in which communication is crucial. Having a little pow wow prior each moment makes the day go so smoothly.
So there you go. I know I can be pithy, but don’t take me too seriously. Most photographers I’ve worked with have been amazing, and there are very few who I would dread working with again. But I do believe that if these tips are followed, wedding days will be smoother both for photographers and videographers. So do with them what you will. And for the love of God, get a telephoto lens.
