Let’s just say this is a public service post. 
DJ’s
Please communicate with the photographer(s.) If you plan to do the garter toss in 2 songs, just find the photographer – or better yet – just announce, “okay in about five minutes (or in a few songs) we’ll be doing the garter toss.” The perk for you is that everyone is happy, all of the guests will have been informed and back and ready to participate and the bride will have great photographs of you doing your job right. What you might not know – photographers use a variety of lenses and flashes and very often have different off camera lighting set up for various events throughout the reception. Our flashes will only fire “so many” times – in a row. If you announce it or inform your photographer, you will give them time to set up the proper tools that they would need in order to do their job. Another factor is that we have bladders too. Ha! The worst thing in the world you could do is start an event when the photographer is in the restroom. I, myself, always tell the DJ and the bride and groom when I am leaving the floor for “anything” but much to my surprise, the DJ will start the event irregardless.
So here are some random things (not just all from my thoughts) that photographers have to say about DJ’s that they won’t say to their face.
1. “WHY won’t they just give me a five minute heads up.” It’s not asking a lot, really.
2. It’s not cool to get family members or coordinators to ask ever 5 minutes when photos will be finished. If we said 30 minutes, it’s still going to be 30 minutes. You suck the creativity out of the photographer, and you stress the bride and groom out AND yes, it shows in the photos.
3. Why do they always give us that mean and dirty look when the couple comes in late for the reception? – This is sooooo common – you have to realize that photographers are on the bride and groom’s schedule. If they ran behind before the ceremony, and it cut out 30 minutes of photo time of important photos, it’s not the photographer’s fault. We are just doing our job. Photographers know that their family and friends love them and would gladly wait an extra 30 minutes for them, than for them to have no photographs of them as a couple. It’s their day.
4. If the bride and groom tell you not to play a song – don’t, especially the chicken dance.
5. When it’s time to cut the cake, or when he’s taking off the garter, yes, you need to play music.
6. “I will never refer that guy.” <<<< This is so common, you have NO idea. If you don’t cooperate with the photographer, they won’t refer you.
7. Don’t burp in the mic. (Yes, more than 4 DJ’s have done this.)
8. Don’t cuss unless there are no children there.
9. Be kind, share the space on or under your booth/table for photographer’s bags – it’ll mean more than you might think. Brownie points, offer it.
10. Don’t get drunk and slam them down at your booth. It’s not pretty. It might make your job more fun, but it makes you look unprofessional.
11. Don’t hit on all of the bridesmaids. And by hit on, I mean try to take them home. This is pretty common.
12. Last, but not least, during the bouquet or garter toss, always ask the photographer if they are ready. Sometimes we have to make our way through waves of people that have been drinking.
We photograph a circle of friends and we hear what they have to say, but won’t tell you.
Before you egg or roll my car and house – I’m not writing this as a “slam” against DJ’s. We’ve worked with a TON of perfect fabulous DJ’s. Over the last few years we have been working with a lot of new DJ’s that are just getting into the wedding business. They simply just don’t know. This is meant to help the relationship between the DJ and the photographer. Feel free to leave a comment if you’re a DJ on what us photographers could do to make your job easier for you and photographers – feel free to leave additional comments.
by Angel Canary
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