Knowing when to take the shot BEFORE the moment happens is a great skill to have if you want to be a wedding photographer. Appropriate, professional behaviour would be more important though, wouldn’t you think?
During the past season I worked with a photographer who said all the wrong things. With the bride, groom, and the bride’s family lined up for a group photo, the photographer felt it was OK to say “Ok, everybody say SEX“. The group barely smiled, and certainly didn’t say “sex”.
First of all, it just doesn’t seem to be the right thing for a photographer to say to anybody. The fact the couple and their family were openly and obviously religious didn’t seem to have any impact on this guy either. In my opinion, the group were noticeably uncomfortable – they didn’t know what to say, and I’m guessing they were as surprised as I was that this paid professional would make this call.
I’ve worked with dozens of photographers and all of them have their own way of getting the job done. Chris Dillon of Dillon Photography always has an appropriate line or two that gets a genuine laugh from his subject but never shocks anybody with the wit. Sarah Mountford of Momentz Photography has learned that she often doesn’t have to say anything nce she has their attention. “While a little direction is sometimes required, they’re all adults and generally know when to smile.” She also suggested that so old fashioned line of “Say Cheese” really doesn’t deliver a natural look.
The point though of this story is that when it comes to your wedding, it’s not necessarily the MC, DJ, or guy with the microphone that can embarrass you with just one little word. While actions speak louder than words, everybody hears words.
Regards
Nick Logan
Wedding DJ and MC