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When it comes to documenting a wedding day, photographers and videographers are often working side by side, capturing all the big and small moments that make a couple’s day special. But how do you work together seamlessly as two creative teams? In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I sit down with Caroline Hinton of Hinton Studios to dive into the dynamics of working together as photographers and videographers on a wedding day. Caroline, who runs a husband-and-wife photo and video team, shares insights on collaboration, communication, and creating an amazing experience for couples.
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The Story Behind Hinton Studios
Caroline shares the journey of how she and her husband, Kelevon, started Hinton Studios in 2020—right in the midst of the pandemic. After filming a friend’s wedding for fun, they discovered their passion for wedding videography and photography. As a team that started with videography and later added photography, they’ve experienced both sides of the wedding day and have learned how to work harmoniously with other creatives.
Communicating as a Team
One of the main challenges Caroline discusses is learning to communicate effectively as a married team on the job. She shares that being married and working together has its pros and cons; while you may know exactly how the other person thinks and works, it’s essential to maintain open and respectful communication. This principle doesn’t only apply to married couples—it’s key for any photo and video team on a wedding day.
Caroline emphasizes the importance of speaking with respect and ensuring that each person’s needs are met, all while focusing on serving the couple in the best way possible.
The Dynamic of Photo and Video Teams
Working with other vendors is a big part of the wedding industry, and Caroline acknowledges that it’s common to see tension between photographers and videographers. Miscommunication or misunderstanding can sometimes lead to a “photographer versus videographer” mindset, which can negatively impact the wedding day and ultimately affect the couple’s experience.
Caroline’s solution? Approach the day as a unified team, focusing on what the couple needs. She believes it’s not about one vendor’s needs over another’s but about collaborating to create the best possible memories for the couple. At the end of the day, the couple has invested in both services, and they deserve a team that works in harmony.
Tips for Seamless Collaboration
Caroline offers some practical tips on how photographers and videographers can work better together on a wedding day:
- Connect Before the Wedding Day: Reach out to the other vendor before the wedding to introduce yourself, share styles, and discuss how you can work together smoothly.
- Communicate Clearly Throughout the Day: Before key moments like the ceremony, couple portraits, or speeches, check in with each other to make sure everyone’s needs are covered.
- Respect Each Other’s Space: If you’re a videographer, be mindful of the photographer’s angles, and vice versa. Shoulder-to-shoulder shooting often works best, so you can both get the shots you need without stepping on each other’s toes
Approaching the Day with Empathy
Caroline explains that empathy is essential when working with other vendors. Understanding the different needs and workflows of a photographer and videographer can help ease frustrations and improve collaboration. Videography, for example, requires more setup time, multiple camera angles, and capturing movement, which can be different from a photographer’s workflow.
By recognizing these differences and adjusting accordingly, both teams can help each other out and ensure that the couple’s story is captured beautifully.
Creating Movement and Emotion in Prompts
One aspect of wedding day collaboration is directing the couple for both photo and video. Caroline shares how, as videographers, they use prompts to create authentic movement and emotion in their films. Instead of focusing on still poses, they encourage couples to interact naturally—whether it’s walking together, holding hands, or giving each other a spin in the middle of a field. These prompts not only make for great video content but also give photographers the opportunity to capture candid, meaningful moments.
Logistical Considerations: Timelines, Shot Lists, and Equipment
For photographers, it’s important to understand that videographers often need more time for setup, especially when it comes to ceremonies. From setting up audio to stabilizers to multiple camera angles, videographers have a different workflow that requires careful timing.
Caroline suggests that downtime during family photos is a great opportunity for videographers to set up for the ceremony or get drone shots, allowing the timeline to flow more smoothly.
Final Thoughts: Serving the Couple Together
The ultimate goal on a wedding day is to serve the couple and capture their memories beautifully. By approaching the day with a collaborative mindset, clear communication, and mutual respect, photographers and videographers can work together seamlessly. Caroline’s final words are to remember that the majority of photo-video partnerships are positive, and by elevating each other and uniting as a team, we can create an even better experience for our couples.
Connect with Caroline and Hinton Studios
If you’d like to learn more about Caroline and her husband’s work, or if you want to connect with them on all things photo and video, check them out at:
Thank you for reading! If you’re a photographer or videographer looking to improve your collaboration on a wedding day, let’s connect on Instagram. I’d love to hear your experiences and share more insights.
Connect with me on Instagram: Instagram: Take Your Shot Collective
Connect with me on Instagram: Instagram: Take Your Shot Collective
