Why Teamwork Matters Behind the Lens

Your wedding day is one of the fastest-moving, emotion-packed events of your life. Every laugh, every tear, every kiss deserves to be captured. But here’s the catch: photographers and videographers share the same stage. And when they don’t work together, couples can lose out on moments that can’t be recreated.

We’ve seen it all from photographers stepping in front of the first kiss, videographers blocking portraits, or vendors working in silos without communicating. The result? Missed shots and unnecessary stress. That’s why teamwork is everything.

Here are the top five conflicts between photographers and videographers—and how to avoid them.

Conflict #1: Blocking the Shot

It happens often: a photographer leans into the aisle to capture a kiss and accidentally blocks the videographer’s main camera. Even with five cameras rolling, it’s frustrating and sometimes impossible to edit around.

How to avoid it: Clear agreements on where each vendor will stand during key moments. Respect for each other’s angles ensures the couple gets both photo and video memories. Talk about what lenses each plan to use so we can work together to both get the shots.

Conflict #2: Skipping the Rehearsal

Rehearsals aren’t just for the wedding party, they’re gold for photo and video teams. When a photographer skips the run-through, they miss crucial info like where cameras are set, which lenses are being used, or when key cues will happen. That’s how first-kiss shots get blocked.

How to avoid it: Encourage both vendors to attend the rehearsal or at least connect before the ceremony. Five minutes of coordination can prevent a lifetime of regret. We ALWAYS attend rehearsals for video jobs as well as for photo if they plan to include video work.

Conflict #3: Competing for the Same Angles

Both photo and video want the best view like the centre aisle for the first kiss or the perfect framing during vows. If both try to claim it, the couple ends up with footage where one blocks the other.

How to avoid it:

• Plan coverage in advance. Before the ceremony starts, photographers and videographers should walk through the space together and agree on primary and secondary positions.
• Assign roles. Example: the photographer takes the center aisle for the first kiss, while the videographer uses multiple side angles and a wide master shot. Or the photographer ducks down or to the side of the back of aisle video camera.
• Rely on multi-camera setups. Videographers often run 3–5 cameras, which means they can cover moments from several perspectives without fighting for a single spot.

When vendors agree on who covers what, everyone gets strong footage and the couple doesn’t lose out.

Conflict #4: Different Approaches, Same Timeline

Photographers often want posed shots, while videographers lean into candid storytelling. Without coordination, this difference in approach slows down the day.

How to avoid it: Build a shared timeline. This means if you plan 1.5 hours for photos you NEED to add in 30-45 minutes for the video team to work their magic as well. When vendors know when and where each needs time, the day flows smoothly without endless “taking turns.”

Conflict #5: Poor Communication

So many problems boil down to silence. If vendors don’t talk, assumptions are made and assumptions cause missed moments.

How to avoid it:

• Pre-wedding check-ins. A quick call, coffee or email a week before the wedding helps set expectations. Discuss shot lists, ceremony flow, and special requests.
• On-the-day touchpoints. Just a 60-second chat before the ceremony (“I’ll cover from the left, you grab the center aisle?”) avoids most issues.
• Respectful cues. Sometimes a simple hand signal or eye contact during the day can signal, “You go first,” or “I’ve got this angle covered.” We’re actually buying headsets for 2026 to make sure we can communicate fully throughout the ceremony with our photographers.

The solution isn’t complicated, it’s communication. When photo and video teams keep each other in the loop, the couple gets a seamless record of their day.

How Couples Can Set the Stage for Collaboration

Couples play a role too. Choose vendors who value teamwork. Ask them directly: How do you work with other photographers/videographers? Their answer will tell you a lot.

When your creative team respects each other, you don’t have to worry about missed memories. Instead, you’ll have both stunning photos and a cinematic film that brings your love story to life.

Want a wedding film that captures every angle without the stress? Let’s talk about how we work alongside photographers to create a seamless experience and a cinematic story you’ll treasure forever.