When interviewing wedding cinematographers, make sure that they are experienced and know how to operate on a professional level. Here are some key components to ask about:

*Environment

If you hire a video production crew that is unfamiliar with working in a variety of environments they could not only ruin the overall experience for the couple, but it could also affect the result of the final product. While they are trying to adjust to a new venue or a larger production, they could come across as rude to the guests and other vendors. Cinematographers can be so focused on the task at hand that they forget to maintain a professional appearance and a level of sophistication.

*Communication

Some cinematographers may not know how to present themselves appropriately or react to abrupt situations professionally. For example, I have seen photographers and other vendors get into arguments in front of the wedding party and it was very tactless and unprofessional.

*Team Players

Vendors should wait to discuss conflict when they are in a private area to discuss how to move forward working together through the rest of the day. As you interview your vendors look for evidence of being a team player.

I will share a personal story with you that I recently encountered. I had a photographer that I was trying to communicate with during a wedding. I was trying to politely discuss with her how we could work together to get the moments we wanted without getting in each other’s way. In a very rude manner, she made it clear to me that it was either “her way or the highway, and I better be out of her way no matter what”, as if she was running the show. Her behavior suggests that she may have been “stuck” in her generation where videography was of little importance, or she may only be familiar with working in the small wedding market without a large production or a video team involved.

The result?

I waited until we were in a private area to discuss how we could work together through the remainder of the evening. When I approached her, she looked at me as if she was the Queen of the venue and I was a peasant, like Oliver Twists’ character asking for more soup. She said (in a very distressed tone), “What do you want from me!?” I remained calm and polite and replied “I just want to make you happy”. She then looked at me waiting to hear more… I continued, “We were both hired for a job, you need to get your moments and the client also expects me and my team to capture moments on camera. Instead of each doing our own thing, I would prefer to discuss the situation so we can meet the client’s expectations together.”

Apparently, I wasn’t the only person that didn’t leave her satisfied and smiling. She argued and made a scene with the actual wedding party because the timeline was not going her way – without consideration for the bride, guests and especially the vendors.

My point?

This vendor did not act professional and it affected the environment, which set an overall negative tone for the bride and the wedding party, which should be the happiest day of their lives.

So when you hire a wedding photographer, cinematographer, or any vendor, make sure that they are accustomed to your wedding environment. Beware of hiring vendors who seem to be controlling during the interview, lack experience, and professionalism. And for you vendors out there, “ kill them with kindness and handle confrontations privately.”

This article was written by Zane Hauck of Zane Karl Studios.