A MIKE COLON LESSON

I was recently covering a wedding where I found myself enjoying conversation with the other vendors over dinner.  We talked of how stunning the bride and groom were, how gorgeous the event was and eventually began raving about the food which then turned the conversation to venues and situations we have dealt with where the respect was less than stellar from the venue coordinator.  Those of you in the industry have already caught on to where this is leading.  And let me just inject before I get too much farther that I am truly blessed with clients who are more than accomodating and treat their vendors so well and for that I am grateful for them.

Back to my story…we all know there are venues out there who are less than accomodating to the other vendors at the event.  There are times where you get fed five minutes before you have to be shooting again and there are times where you are forgotten completely.  I have dealt with both the positive and negative in this situation as I’m sure we all have.

There was one particular vendor at the table who had a very strong opinion on what vendors deserved and how they should be treated at events.  We listened to him intently and I had to stop myself a few times from rolling my eyes.  I mean, can you blame me?  I was dealing with morning sickness, beginning my ninth hour of the day and this individual had just started his service for the reception.  I didn’t really feel bad for him and his complaints about previous experiences with venues.

As he continued, I was quickly reminded of something Mike Colon said at his Las Vegas workshop back in 2010.  He brought up the subject of policies in his contract and one workshop attendee asked what his position was on meal policy and being fed at events.  Most times, events are 10+ hours and being on your feet results in needing a few minutes to catch your breath and get a quick rest off your feet.  Now, Mike Colon has done countless celebrity weddings, is known worldwide and is one of the most humble men I know.  He spoke of weddings where he was treated just as a guest was and received the most lavish dinner to a wedding where the clients didn’t even mention dinner that night nor did the coordinator.  And that event?  It was a celebrity wedding.  He has even been shoved into a utility closet and given a sandwhich.  His point?  “We are providing a service.  The day and the event is not about me.  It’s about my clients.”

And while it may be difficult to comprehend those that forget the amount of hard work we are doing, he made the most profound point and it is something I have never forgotten.  Be thankful for the times you are treated well, but know that it is not something that should be deserved or expected.  You are providing a service and are expected to do your job.

I think often times in this industry, especially today, you hear so many talk about the respect photographers deserve for what we do.  While our job is extremely important, I am no better than any other vendor.  I think it’s important to always remember that these weddings have nothing to do with us.  And while my contract does have a clause that discusses the need for a short breather during the reception dinner and to allow guests to eat in peace without being photographed, it is nothing that I have enforced if a meal hasn’t been provided.  We need to put the egos aside and do our job. 

As I sat across from this vendor that evening and listened to him finish his rant, I just had to smile while remembering what Mike Colon had taught me.  I quickly finished my meal, thanked the servers who waited on us and started documenting the bride and groom as the dancing began.  Because, after all, that’s what I do.