Photographers and Videographers Getting Along
AH HA! I'm both! So here's advice on making sure that they get along
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Identify what kind of photographer and videographer you have chosen.
Different styles have different compatibilities. The two main styles are:
- Posed (Traditional): usually involves poses (scripted shots) that are either traditional or photojournalistic in look. Think of this like a director of a movie or photoshoot (imagine Austin Powers telling you you're a monkey...). Realize that "posed photojournalism" (looks like photojournalism through acting) requires acting on your part and direction on ours.
- Photojournalistic: this is where the photographer gets the picture candidly, usually from a distance or by blending in. For a videographer this means zooming in to get footage. Nothing is scripted or staged.
- Combination of the above two: most fall in this category, you have to find out which way they lean.
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Now you have to see if they are compatible
| Video \ Photo |
Posed Photography |
Photojournalistic Photography |
| Posed Videography |
This is where the main conflict occurs. There is nothing wrong with having the two, but it's like having two alpha males trying to control the day. They both need shots, and they both need to direct you to get them. Oh yeah, and the time is limited. |
This makes it easy on the videographer, where the photographer will take pictures around the direction of the videographer. This means candid photos and posed video. Make sure that the photographer can handle working around the videographer in this case. This is easier due to the single moment nature of taking pictures. |
| Photojournalistic Videography |
This makes it easy on the photographer as long as the videographer can shoot around the photographer. This is tougher, though. Video is continuous and photographers walking across (or stopping in front of) video makes for bad footage and sometimes bad tempers. |
This means both the videographer and photographer are trying to be in the background, which works really well. With candid footage and photos, they can work together in the background. I haven't seen any issues with this combination yet. |
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Now let's help them get along
Setup the day so they both get their jobs done. Photographers and videographer (even so-called professionals) often suffer from tunnel-vision doing their craft. This leads to frustration if they are sacrificing photos or footage because of someone else. So in the "posed-posed" category, make sure they have time for each to get their job done separately. The mixed categories just need attention for the posed style. Two photojournalists don't need attention, but just opportunities to cover your days events.
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What matters in the end
is that you, the client, gets the best out of your day. This means everyone getting along and letting others get their job done for you. Unfortunately, pressure to perform (usually due to client expectations) causes frustration copmressed by time contraints. So realize that time and eased expectations will allow the professionals you hire to do a better job. I make this effort for my clients without them asking (I've sacrificed my own product so others can deliver theirs) and you unfortunately may need to ask this of your own vendors.
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Thanks a bunch! Oh yeah, go ahead and give me feedback on unanswered questions or if this article needs help.
