Lights, camera and camera, action! The more inconspicuous they are at a wedding, the more important their role during it. It is thanks to them that remembering the day will be easier. They both came to their profession by chance and have been doing it for nearly ten years. They also represent the best of the best in their field. Wedding photographer Honza Martinec and wedding videographer Jakub Laššo, who runs DIB production with Ondřej Kudyn, share their experiences and suggestions.
What should a client focus on when choosing a photographer or videographer?
Jakub: To identify with his work and to fit in humanly. He should also allow himself time, as finding the right one can take time.
Honza: I also think it's most important that people choose the one whose work they 100% like and that they get along. After all, it's a wedding vendor that they're going to spend quite a bit of time with, so it's important that everyone feels comfortable.
Which of these is more important? That the client identifies with the photographer or videographer's style, or that they are a good fit?
Jakub: Identification is great, but even so, the videographer always has to adapt to the wedding and the couple's personality. We're always at work. You have to suppress your artistic ego, keep your perspective and work.
Honza: The photographer's style will obviously come first. Even if you think a photographer is awfully nice, you won't hire them if you don't like their photos. But if someone chooses me based on my work, I believe we will meet on a personal level.
Have you ever turned down work on a wedding because you and the client didn't click? How important is chemistry?
Jakub: There have been times when I have not been able to adjust enough to make the client happy. But we haven't turned down a client because of their requirements. If he had unrealistic requirements from our point of view, we explained why we would do it differently. It's always about negotiation, and if the client sees our efforts to help them to a better outcome, they usually turn around.
Honza: I've shot a few weddings that I probably shouldn't have been at at all, especially in the beginning. For example, it happened that someone recommended me, but the clients had a completely different idea of photography as such. All these experiences helped me figure out what I wanted to do and what I didn't. That's why I try to be authentic and natural when presenting my work. And somehow, mysteriously, it works. It attracts clients who are like me in many ways. 
To what extent do the cameraman and photographer actually work together?
Jakub: To a large extent. We try to get along with everyone, but in this case, when two different styles come together, it's only the couple that suffers. It's good to have a similar approach.
Honza: The ceremony is the main thing, they both have to work really well together, but if you have respect and empathy, everything can be agreed upon.
What are the most common mistakes clients make when choosing?
Jakub: Quality costs something and in this case it is doubly true. Spending fifteen thousand on a low quality output? That seems unnecessary to me. You'd better take that money and go on vacation.
Honza: One of the mistakes I sometimes see around me is that clients choose a photographer based on pretty pictures on Instagram and then they are disappointed with the work. I think everyone can take some nice photos of a wedding these days. It's extremely important for the client to see not only nice portraits at sunset, but also photos from the rest of the day. Wedding photography is a mix of several disciplines and everything needs to fit together as a whole.
How far in advance to book your services?
Jakub: It always depends on the specific date, but usually three quarters to a year.
Honza: Some people think it's crazy to book a wedding a year or two in advance, and I agree with that. However, if you have your favorite vendors that you would like to have there, starting a year in advance is not unusual. At least you'll be done and don't have to stress afterwards.
What is crucial to your work during the wedding itself, but not every client realizes?
Jakub: Background is important, but even more important is having a cool wedding. So for example, without unnecessary transitions and traditions that you are not close to anyway and you do them just because that's the way it's done or because your cousin had them at her wedding. That's no big deal. If the client is cool, we're cool. It's such a cliché that videographers and photographers bitch about tradition, I hate to sound like that. Over time, I'm finding that they're actually good. Unlike the surrounding states, we don't have many of them here and I find that a shame. I really like the Slovak hat, for example. When the atmosphere is right, they can be divine.
Honza: I don't want or need to adjust the environment in any way. I'm not the type of photographer who chooses weddings based on location. And apart from portraits, I don't particularly want to interfere with the shoot. But it's definitely good for people to remember that even a photographer or videographer are only human and need to eat during the day too.
Is it a good idea to have a pre-wedding shoot, or at least meet a few times before the actual wedding?
Jakub: It's better to get used to each other a bit, then the process is smoother.
Honza: For me, meeting before the wedding is essential. Nowadays, it's not a problem to meet online and get to know each other and discuss everything. Most people are getting married for the first time and there are a lot of things they can't imagine. The pre-wedding shoot is good because it makes people realise that they have nothing to worry about.
Is it better for you if the wedding coordinator is present?
Jakub: It's good to have a co-organizer, but everyone has to pull together.
Honza: Wedding coordination is not a discipline for everyone. Coordinating a wedding is not as easy as it may seem at first glance. But it makes our job easier, because when it's not, that role many times is basically us filling in as we try to help and advise people. 
How do you view organised entertainment at a wedding? Are you in favour of it or is it more of an unwelcome component for you?
Jakub: Me and Ondrej at the point where we already welcome it, but of course let everyone do what they want. At least we have a chance to relax.
Honza: With a wedding, it's necessary for people to make it exactly the way they really want it. You're never going to please everyone anyway and if you want something, just do it, it's your day. And a wedding itself is a living organism and if it's going to naturally unfold, it can be a shame to interrupt it with some forced entertainment. Other times, though, it can help to get the fun going.
What's the most bizarre thing a client has asked you to do?
Jakub: Never anything extreme, I did DJ once, but again, don't imagine DJ Schaff instead of me. It was just quiet, so I found a play button somewhere behind the mixer and played some songs.
Honza: I've been through a lot over the years in weddings and I'd rather not go on this ice.
Are there trends in your professions?
Jakub: It's hard to say. If so, I can't judge them because I consider wedding video a very subjective matter.
Honza: I'm getting a little allergic to that word. I'm sure they're like everything and they do influence us, but like I said, the most important advice I would give to anyone is simple - really make your day your own. Don't give a shit about trends if you don't care about them, because in two years they'll be completely different again anyway. I want to capture life in my work. Not trends.
Honzo, you just got married. Did you learn anything new about your profession when you were on the other side, the client?
Honza: It was a very interesting and great experience to experience it from the other side, and I can say that since then I experience weddings with clients a little bit differently. Suddenly I can imagine much better what they experience before the ceremony. The wedding was truly the best day of our lives and I wish everyone could experience it too. 
Text: Martin Váša | Photo: DIB production and Honza Martinec Archive, Author of the photo n. 3 Michaela Smetanová
