A Design For Life: Stories From Behind The Lens

2022 Part 4: Sweet Disposition

"A definition of a professional photographer: A pro never shows anybody the mistakes."

Unknown

Every photographer, no matter how new or seasoned they are, has a unique personality that makes them stand out in the crowd. This is an inescapable fact.

I suppose it comes with saying that it takes one to know one, but these days whenever I see a photographer on the job at a wedding or event I will observe with great interest because I get to learn how they do things such as where they position themselves or how they control the shoot in order to take a great shot. In this business, you have to continue learning or risk being left behind with methods that are outdated.

I'm not saying that I apply everything I see other photographers do whenever I'm on the job, but there are some methods that I've picked up that has worked wonders for me over the years.

One of the methods I remember and use to this day was when I was into my 3rd year in this business. I was a guest at a church friend's wedding and there were a few things that struck me about the wedding photographer that day.

Firstly he was Caucasian, which was rare here in Singapore given that almost all the photographers I've seen shooting here are mostly Asians. Secondly, he didn't say a word throughout the entire shoot, which I found really odd because shooting a wedding often involves the photographer barking orders at everyone to get into frame or to even smile properly. And third, he worked alone, which again was rare because wedding photographers usually have a second shooter.

Sounds crazy, I know, but it's a true story.

So as I was waiting in line with my friends for our turn to take a group photo with the bride and groom, I kept observing the photographer at work. The one thing that I took into account was how he silently (I'm serious, he DIDN'T say anything) arranged everyone according to their height level by just pointing at 2 specific people in the line, whether front or back, and turning his fingers around to signal them to switch positions.

And when he was done, I noticed that the group had been arranged neatly, making the shot look seamless. And all he did was click, gave a thumbs up and called the next group in. All this while working in silence.

I thought that was one of the strangest things I have seen a photographer do, and yet it remained stuck in my memory even till today. I remembered adopting the same practice he did at the next wedding gig I shot, only this time I had to still bark out orders because the whole "not talking" bit was not my thing. Also, I didn't want the guests of the couple who hired me to start complaining that I had come off as rude or arrogant if I didn't verbalise anything.

Over the years I modified that technique to make the photo-taking exercise into a lighthearted experience. While it does come with much practice, at least I managed to make it fun for everyone involved.

That was one example of the things I learnt while observing other photographers at work. I even switched to shooting in a semi-formal attire after seeing a photographer I know dressed stylishly while shooting a wedding, something that my wife had been constantly reminding me to do to this day.

I also learnt to how to communicate effectively with clients on a shoot after observing the photographer who was shooting the event I was attending deal with some logistical issues. What struck me was that even though he was firm, he didn't carry a tone that would imply he was having an attitude problem. He spoke gently but also made it clear what he wanted from the event to the clients, and he got his way.

We are not difficult people by nature, but there are instances when the job requires us to be firm just to get our message across. I know of photographers who tell me just how difficult it was to even communicate with their clients and I know for a fact that usually it's because they are either unsure of what to say or they'd rather not say anything so as not seem like an annoyance to the client.

I suppose it's a trait that comes with the job. Photography is an ever-evolving industry that takes a lot of learning (and patience that comes with it) and if that means we do it by observing how other fellow photographers do it, then so be it. They say that knowledge is power, and the more one knows, the more equipped that person is. That can't be further from the truth.

So the next time you're at an event and you see photographers at work, don't just look at their gear (we all do it!), observe them at work. Because you never know if you might just pick up something new!