What type of Wedding Photographer are you?

[nicksan]

Just curious about what type of Wedding Photographer you think you are, not so much in photography style, but more in terms of behavior, more specifically chatting with the couple and guests, being funny, goofy, whatever...throughout the day.

Me? I usually do minimal amount of chatting and just mostly concentrating on shooting. Maybe I'll crack a joke here and there but nothing more than that. Not to say that's good or bad. There's really no right answer IMHO.

Again, just curious how people work. I've shot with many photographers, both in a primary and secondary role, and find the different approaches very fascinating!

[CTP]

I have a good friend who is a phenomenal DJ in my area, his company did 185 weddings this year and they are FAR from just another low budget huge volume DJ. They are very much a legit company. After working with me a couple of times and we started become friends, he gave some great advice. He said "Chris, as a photographer you are being watched every second or every minute by at least one person during the course of a wedding, so do not be afraid to put on a show. Not a show that screams hey look at me, but rather one that shows they you are not only a photographer but also someone who cares about the wedding and wants nothing more than the entire bridal party to enjoy their day and still is a master at his craft.".

We have all been to weddings where the photographer was a tool but the photos turned out great but how many of us have been to a wedding where the photographer was just another guest who people genuinely enjoyed being around AND got great photographs?

[nicksan]

Yeah, I've seen Wedding Photographers from those who are dead serious all the way to those who cracking jokes all day long, join the guests on the dance floor and start grinding it out. The couple and guests end up telling those guys they had a GREAT time.

I'm definitely not Mr. dead serious. But I try to keep the chatter to a minimum and try to keep a low profile, not to say I am always nestled in a corner of the room. That's hardly the case. If I need to get the shot, I'm there, front and center. But my feeling is that I am there as the hired photographer so I try to exude professionalism, mind my surroundings, be courteous to everyone there, but at the same time try not come off as a stiff. It's a delicate balance that I am still trying to tweak.

[CTP]

There are for sure lines that as a pro you should not cross and every wedding is a little different but if at the end of the day the only fingerprint you leave on a wedding is good photographs,that is a fingerprint that can be replaced by many people.

[umphotography]

We want to be know as a good story teller and a photography company that wants your wedding to be fun. Every couple has something to say and as a photographer, i feels it my job to get it on film. Be confident i what you do, show that you care, have fun, make sure your clients are having fun, and in my opinion, everything else falls in place.

[mirrorrim]

I'm pretty much like you nicksan. Quiet, low profile, but I will chat some people up during downtime, like when everyone is eating. I will try to talk a lot during formals and bride and groom portraits, asking questions, making bad jokes, etc to hopefully make everyone feel comfortable. Oh, and I make sure to smile a lot.

Another photographer I work with is the total opposite. She barely says anything during formals, but will chat.it.up during the reception--she even requests a seat at the head table! She will have 20+ min long conversations with guests and the bride and groom.

[memoriesoftomorrow]

I am a wedding planner, comedian, bit of a showman, mate all in one... I have fun, I keep things on track time wise, ensure my clients are relaxed. My pictures aren't the only thing that sells me... I am very much my brand and product. The smoother the day runs and the more fun the bridal party, guests etc have the easier my job taking photographs is.

[Thomas Campbell]

I try to be unobtrusive, but am happy to talk to whoever if it helps illicit the response needed.

[nicksan]

Interesting responses!

I'm definitely not Mr. Conversationalist, but I am beginning to feel maybe I should be. Obviously, I would be, if that was part of my DNA. It's something I'd like to work on. But at the same time I wonder how important it is to be that way as a photographer. I'm there to shoot kick ass photos after all. I mean, sure, I chat up the people I am taking photos of. That goes without saying. But the banter beyond that is something I do little of.

I've worked with people who know how to make an entrance, making people laugh, keep people entertained, etc, and they are very well received. But at the end of the day does that make a whole lot of difference?

I wonder how the high end guys do it? Do they go for the "it was so much fun having you as our Wedding Photographer" type image? Or do they try to give the "consummate pro" impression. You know, low profile, low key, and take award winning shots?

Again, no right or wrong answer I suppose.

[nicksan]

Originally Posted by mirrorrim

I'm pretty much like you nicksan. Quiet, low profile, but I will chat some people up during downtime, like when everyone is eating. I will try to talk a lot during formals and bride and groom portraits, asking questions, making bad jokes, etc to hopefully make everyone feel comfortable. Oh, and I make sure to smile a lot.

Another photographer I work with is the total opposite. She barely says anything during formals, but will chat.it.up during the reception--she even requests a seat at the head table! She will have 20+ min long conversations with guests and the bride and groom.

See, I find that interesting. Yeah, sometimes I'll make bad jokes too depending on the situation. I definitely make sure I smile a lot, but not to a point where they think I'm an idiot! But honestly, for formals, especially group ones, I keep it pretty standard. It's never like I am putting on a comedy show although I've worked with people who did something like that and obviously it loosened the group up and everything. But in terms of the actual photos, they didn't turn out extraordinarily different than the usual stuff.

I'll of course chat up the bride a little bit through the day, but my attitude towards it is that it's their day and I try to stay out of the way as much as possible. But then again, that just could be an excuse!

Originally Posted by memoriesoftomorrow

I am a wedding planner, comedian, bit of a showman, mate all in one... I have fun, I keep things on track time wise, ensure my clients are relaxed. My pictures aren't the only thing that sells me... I am very much my brand and product. The smoother the day runs and the more fun the bridal party, guests etc have the easier my job taking photographs is.

Question. Does that affect the type of clients you get? If the people like you and see you as the showman, do you get referrals of couples looking for the same?

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

I try to be unobtrusive, but am happy to talk to whoever if it helps illicit the response needed.

Yup. Pretty much my style and "unobtrusive" is a good way to describe how I work for sure.

[nicksan]

Originally Posted by CTP

There are for sure lines that as a pro you should not cross and every wedding is a little different but if at the end of the day the only fingerprint you leave on a wedding is good photographs,that is a fingerprint that can be replaced by many people.

Interesting point.

Personally though, I would rather the couple hire me for my photos, and photos alone, than because they heard I was a "character".

But I guess your point is more about the total package and I can certainly see a benefit in that. If your presence is generic and not too memorable, then yeah, you wouldn't necessarily stand out.

[jcolman]

I'm like Nick. About the only time I really talk to the assembled masses is during the formals. I cajole, joke and make people smile. Other times I might put forth a quip here and there but otherwise, I just quietly do my job.

[Jimconnerphoto]

Many of my clients become friends. The amount of time I spend with them on one of the most important days of their lives is significant. I do my best to be sure they enjoy that day. Sometimes that means being an unobtrusive "fly on the wall" and other times it means being a little wild.
All while capturing the story beautifully.

[nicksan]

Originally Posted by jcolman

I'm like Nick. About the only time I really talk to the assembled masses is during the formals. I cajole, joke and make people smile. Other times I might put forth a quip here and there but otherwise, I just quietly do my job.

I guess it's one of those things where when you work with someone who has a totally different style than you as far as behavior is concerned, it leaves you wondering whether you should be adding to your own repertoire or that perhaps maybe that's what people actually want.

Ultimately though, I think it's always best to be comfortable in your own skin and just do what comes naturally provided that you aren't naturally offensive!

Originally Posted by zagiace

Many of my clients become friends. The amount of time I spend with them on one of the most important days of their lives is significant. I do my best to be sure they enjoy that day. Sometimes that means being an unobtrusive "fly on the wall" and other times it means being a little wild.
All while capturing the story beautifully.

Interesting.

I usually leave the client/vendor line very well defined. My clients are my clients. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't pretend to be anything beyond a vendor to the couple. That is probably due to my style of being very low key and low presence. But I think it's kind of cool that you end up becoming friends with your couple and is very telling of your style and personality.

There's definitely a balance that I would like to strike. But I need to work on that.

[nicksan]

Here's an example I'll give you.

So yesterday, the bride got her hair and makeup done at the Salon. I went there, introduced my self to the bride's mother, her friends, and chatted the bride up a little bit, but really about how great the weather turned out since it was supposed to rain, and maybe reviewing the schedule, etc. Otherwise, I was shooting. Pretty standard stuff. Went smoothly. But the thing is, I was there for about 2.5 hours and felt odd just being a fly on the wall and not talking too much. Almost like I was some kind of a hermit.

Anyways, after that, I went to the Hotel to shoot the groom getting ready. Same deal. Small chatter. He was camera shy, so I kinda kept to the corner and just shot a few photos then went to the bride's hotel room.

The bride's hotel room was packed with her friends. They were watching TV, sipping on some champagne, and was generally having a good time. So I walk in, say hi, but then I completely shut down chatter because I had about 30 minutes to get some details shot like shoes, dress, jewelry along with some candids, and honestly I felt like I was the photographer, not a friend, so I shouldn't be obtrusive anyways. Again, maybe that's an excuse! As most of you know, time pretty much flies, especially when you are stuck in a small hotel room full of people with no where to place the dress, etc, etc. So I go about my business, just pretty much remaining silence, shooting photos, until she's ready to get into her dress. I give her instructions on what to do with regards to calling me in when she's in her dress. Then I come back in, shoot some photos, and we are on our way to the ceremony location.

That's a typical session for me.

But then I've worked with other photographer where they would be put in a similar situation and BAM...come in, immediately create a presence, have all the ladies laughing, smiling, etc. I look at that and say to myself "Damn, I want some of that". But that's just not "me", you know?

Anyways, when the day ended, the bride thanked me, gave me a hug, and I shook the groom's hand. Told them congratulations with a big smile as I usually do and went home. Again, that's a typical way things turn out for me.