Some photographers also offer videography services, but more often than not brides are booking their photographer and videographer separately. The photographer and videographer have the same goal on your wedding day – to serve you and preserve your wedding memories – and accomplish that goal with different skills and mediums. But ultimately, they need to work as a team.
Hiring your team.
A good interview question when you’re seeking out these professionals is to ask if they are used to working with a photographer/videographer, and ask what their approach is to working with the other vendor. If the person seems annoyed about working with others, talks about frustrations, or doesn’t have a team approach, then you probably shouldn’t hire them. That’s an indicator that the person is thinking more about themselves and their business than they are about serving you and helping you accomplish your goals. Those two vendors are going to be by your side all day on one of the most important days of your life – so, you want support, you want a team approach, and you want someone who is going to show some flexibility with your other vendors.
Preparing for your wedding.
Once you’ve hired your photographer and videographer, contact them both and let them know who they’ll be working with. When I book a client, I want to know first who their planner or venue coordinator is, and second who the videographer is. Every videographer has a different approach, and I want to make sure I go into wedding day knowing not only how I want the day to flow on my end, but scheduling in enough time for the videographer to also accomplish his goals. If I stand in the way of the videographer doing his job, then I have done a disservice to the bride and may not only have an unhappy client but might also have really damaged memories of that person’s wedding, which is impossible to make up for. That wedding day preparation starts with knowing who I am working with, how to contact them, and what they need from me in order to be successful.
Planning the timeline.
In general, your timeline won’t change too much. You want to give a little more padding – 5 or 10 minutes here and there. But most of the time, the photographer will continue shooting while the videographer is working with the couple, and the videographer will continue working while the photographer is working with the couple. I think back to a wedding this summer where I worked with Daysy – a fantastic videographer (and photographer, too) out of the Frederick area. Some of my favorite portraits of the bride and groom are from Daysy directing the couple for video purposes, while I stood off to the side and shot. She was brilliant with them, and working with her really enhanced my work.
In summary, you can hire your “media team” from different businesses. Just make sure that they’re team players and you introduce them to each other (which can be as easy as copying them both on an email). Work with both of them – and your planner if you have one – to craft your ideal timeline that gives them both the time they need to serve you. If you’re still not sure what they need, just ask them!
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Jo Mahaney is a professional photographer of PhotographyByJo.net based in Staunton, Virginia, specializing in wedding photography. With over eight years of experience, Jo is dedicated to creating effortless, joyful imagery that authentically captures the essence of each couple’s unique love story. She is known for her ability to create meaningful galleries filled with emotion and personal narratives. Jo is not just a photographer; she is an active supporter of her clients, providing resources and guidance to ensure a stress-free experience. From the initial inquiry call to the wedding day, Jo is transparent, open, and ready to get to know her clients to provide the best service possible. Her commitment to her craft and her clients is evident in the glowing testimonials she has received. Jo’s work extends beyond Staunton, covering areas such as Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Lexington, Roanoke, and Richmond. She has also had the privilege of photographing weddings in various locations, including the Outerbanks, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina, and even Spain.
