PROS VS JOES 3.- PEOPLE PERSON

Technical skill and a fancy camera don't mean anything if you have poor communication skills. I meet a lot of new wedding photographers who haven't learned that there is a level of personality, patience and communication that's needed for this gig.  During a weeding day you may encounter a pushy bride's mother, a bossy wedding coordinator, a pastor with rules, a groom with no clue, nosey bride's maids,  a uncle with a camera better than yours and a nervous bride that you have to keep calming down.  This career is not for quiet people, introverts or flat out jerks.

When I was growing up, I noticed how my grandfather seemed to get along with everybody.  He even got along with folks nobody else liked.  As I grew older I understood his mind-set:  he didn't hold judgement against anyone for any reason.  If the guy next door was mean to everyone in the neighborhood than my grandfather understood that the guy was not being mean to him because it was personal; it was just how he was.   That's what my grandfather did throughout his life, accept people for who they were; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

This is a trait that you can't teach, you just have to mature into it.  As a wedding photographer you have to know how to charm the wedding coordinator into giving you 15 more minutes for pictures even though the reception will start late.  You have to build a quick nod of trust with the bridal party because if they don't respect you or your work, than they won't listen to you.

When I interview assistants, I never look for the ones who are experienced with the camera, I look for the ones who love people.  You can teach a person how to use a camera, but you can't teach a person how to be considerate, how to communicate, how to learn and accept people.