Once, during my first year of wedding photography, I worked with a videographer who made me cringe. Like, grind-my-teeth-and-get-an-eye-twitch cringe. He was loud, made his needs known every two seconds, and barked commands…in addition to setting up so much video gear it felt like a Hollywood movie set. I remained quiet, but once he asked the bride to spin in her robe, I asked why. He explained that as she spun in a circle he was going to edit the video so that she twirled into her wedding dress. Video magic, he explained.

Have mercy.

Since then, I've worked with lots of videographers of various personalities (like the one who photo-bombed this photo with JD). I've learned how to work with the best…and cope with those who employ video magic. Here are a few tips when it comes to creating synergy and a positive experience working together on a wedding day.
    1. Connect in Advance
If I know who I'm working with at a wedding (say, if I get their information from a coordinator in advance), I send a short email to introduce myself. I explain how excited I am to collaborate. The goal is to set a positive tone and keep the air clean.
    2. Formally Introduce at Start of Wedding Day
Because I'll be working closely with a videographer all day, it's important to introduce myself personally at the start of the wedding day. It's also during this time I establish a plan of action for us to work together. I ask what they'd like to shoot first (for example, the wedding dress), then I'll shoot other details (like jewelry or shoes). I keep all the details that need to be documented in a neat pile so we can both access them when we need to.
    3. Establish Parameters
Because the photographer and a videographer often need the same shot, it's vitally important to be on the same page during key moments. When the bride gets into her dress, for example, I ask where the videographer will stand, so I can find a position so he's not in my shot (and vice versa).
    4. Give the Videographer Time
It's often hard to give time to the videographer when the timeline is tight and you want to get your shots, but be sure to balance their needs with your own, so it doesn't turn into jostling for the couple's attention. The bride and groom will have a better experience when their vendors are on the same team.
    5. Test the Light
If the videographer is using artificial light (during the reception), I ask if he can turn it on before an event takes place so I can test the light. Nothing's worse than setting up your shot and a different light source complicates things with last minute over-exposure. Just get on the same page before things are in motion.

To be fair, I asked my friend Ryan with Cloudless Weddings for his perspective on working with photographers. He's a talented videographer and when we work together, it's refreshing to create harmony…
    1. Communication
We've found that the more that we talk with the photographer about the plans for capturing the ceremony, entrances, first dances, and cake cutting; the happier both of us have been. We know if we shoot opposite of the photographer, both of our shots will be unusable, so we try to plan ahead and be aware of that type of thing so everyone gets shots free of tripods and other cameras.
    2. Be Cognitive of Cameras
We do our best to stay discreet. We are usually further away with longer lenses. That being said, we try and let the photographers know where we have set up so that we don't end up with a ton of footage of nothing but the photographer's backs.
    3. Shoot Details Together
If we are both in the bridal suite, we usually shoot the dress together or when we're done filming the rings, for example, we hand them off to the photographer. It is always a hassle hanging the dress up twice or passing the rings around several times. For the ceremony and reception sites, we collaborate on the wides that we want to shoot and plan with the photographers so that we don't have to worry about having any stray people in our shots.

This post has become much longer than I expected, but I hope it opens communication between two creative parties that ultimately benefits clients.

Happy Thursday!