Photographers vs. Coordinators: Why the Battle Exists? Should the Battle Exist?

[Read Time < 6 Minutes]

If you're a sibling or have been a member of any team, you know what competition on the inside feels like. Competition within the family.

On a wedding day, there are several highly qualified, extremely talented wedding professionals, all doing their best to serve one client...a client you share.

Everyone wants to feel special and loved for the work they do, and they are all contending for the approval of the same client (now you get the sibling reference).

I admit I'm unaware of any serious competitive rifts between the caterers and cake decorator, but I am keenly aware of the rift between the Wedding Photographer and the Wedding Coordinator.

Some might say it's less of a competition and more of a power play. "tomayto" - "tomahto" it is real.

BUT

Can this professional rivalry somehow be beneficial to you both? I think it can...if you know how to approach it.

Why Are You (Sometimes) at Odds?

Let's define things for those who may not have experienced this before.

Wedding coordinators and wedding photographers have vastly different duties, but both want the same thing - a flawless wedding day for their client (their shared client). But let's be honest, it's too easy to feel like we're working against each other instead of with each other. How?

You work in moments - They work in timelines.

You're chasing people, locations, composition and light. They're chasing people (for different reasons) and making sure dinner isn't cold, the flowers are perfect, and grandma isn't waiting an hour for family portraits.

You're an artist - They're a project manager.

Your vision is primarily creative. Their vision is primarily logistical. When these worlds collide, there's clear potential for tension.

You both think your job is the most important.

Well, you're both right, but in different ways.

How do we find common ground? Let's hit a few of the larger pain points that nag us both and see how to solve them.

The Timeline Tug-of-War

The Problem: You want time for the perfect shots - coordinators just want to keep everything on time.

The Fix: Get together early. Ask for their timeline and communicate your major needs before the wedding week. You know what your bride wants, and they know what their bride wants. Since you both have the same bride, figure out a timeline you can both play with so you both deliver for your bride.

The Vanishing Act

The Problem: You're doing what you do best, moving around and getting great shots (sometimes inside and sometimes outside), but suddenly, the schedule changes, and you're not where the coordinator wants you to be at that moment.

The Fix: Until the party moves to All Dancing Mode for the rest of the night, check in with the coordinator every now and again. Just a simple "Hey, I'm popping outside to get a sunset shot, anything coming?" shows you care about them, and it earns you major respect. It might seem like you're checking in with Mom, but it's not that bad, and it beats having them text you all night.

The Ceremony Slink

The Problem: We want to get a unique shot during the ceremony, but the coordinator doesn't approve of our movements.

The Fix: This doesn't happen often, but when it does, you really feel the tension. Here's something else you can chat about BEFORE the wedding and ensure everyone there are no surprises. You’re trying to get great shots for your bride afterall.

Family Formal Funny Business

The Problem: Family formals can take forever, especially when family members wander away or there are surprise "special requests."

The Fix: Share the shot list with the coordinator in advance so they can help keep things on time. They talk with the bride and mom more than you do, so they can help avoid unforeseen delays before they happen. Remember, they want the formals to wrap up just as fast as you do.

Sometimes, the Power Play backfires.

You think you're in charge because, well...you're The Wedding Photographer, and The Coordinator thinks they're in charge because they coordinate everything. This is far too common, but when the struggle for supreme authority goes too far, no one wins.

Your bride certainly does NOT want to see her hired guns pointed at one another, and it's just a bad look for the family and guests to see, especially when your actions can affect a successful outcome of the day.

Don't ever forget that your potential referrals are always watching you.

While there's no magic potion for calming an overly controlling coordinator, there are some clever tactics you can try to cool things off.

Ask for their opinion.

This one goes way back to How to Win Friends and Influence People, but it's still as powerful today as ever.

Coordinators are creative people, but after a day of telling everyone to go there and do that, they might feel more bossy than brilliant. Get them on your side by asking if they know a cool place to take the couple or discuss the farewell with them.

Anything that shows you care about what they think about will break down any unnecessary barriers your bravado (or bravada) may have built.

Communicate, communicate, communicate.

It's tough to be on the wrong page when you BOTH wrote the planning guide for this wedding, but if you fail to work at it, it can still happen.

Another big part of communicating is giving each other a heads-up for anything unexpected.

Your access allows you to hear things that may come in handy to your coordinator at some point during the day. Sharing any tips or nuggets of caution that might prevent something bad from happening just might keep a wedding day from turning ugly and making you both look bad.

You and the coordinator are two people who can control and fix things. You gain nothing hoarding information or by taking all the glory.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

And that's really what it comes down to - teamwork.

This one day might seem like the one and only day, but the odds are pretty good you'll see each other again, so building a relationship is essential.

You want to build a good rapport so you'll have someone looking out for you today AND looking out for you tomorrow when another bride is looking for a wedding photographer, and they asked their coordinator friend if they have a referral.

You don't have to be besties, but creating a solid professional respect is a must.

Remember: YOU own the Secret Weapon.

Oh, did I forget to mention that while you're serving your bride by taking amazing photos of the details and decor (something the coordinator probably had a hand in), you're also creating a desperately needed portfolio for the coordinator?

Yuuuup!

YOUR photos help other vendors gain future business, and by showing some professional respect, a little grace (because we all need it), and free photos to the coordinator, you'll gain more respect than you could ever pay for (now we're talking Power Play).

I know it's easy for me to say because I don't have a coordinator breathing down my neck at the moment, but your professionalism doesn't come all at once - it's built little by little.

Each action (or reaction) either adds or subtracts another brick to the tower of your reputation. Build it as high and as strong as you can and soon others will add bricks for you.

Successfully dealing with the wedding coordinators is one of the little parts of the "inner game of wedding photography."

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