How Our DJs Help Make Photographers Look Great
One of the secrets to a smooth, unforgettable wedding? Vendors who actually work together. As DJs, we spend the night steering the flow of the reception, managing energy in the room, and making sure everyone’s having a good time. But over the years, we’ve realized that some of our best partnerships happen behind the scenes — especially with wedding photographers.
Here’s a look at the ways a great DJ can support photographers before, during, and after the event. If you’re a photographer reading this, we got you.
Here are some of our favourite ideas;
- Check In Before Key Moments
- Assist With Photo Trends
- Pack The Dancefloor
- Promote On Social Media
- Leave A Legendary Review
Checking In Before Any Critical Moments
One of the simplest, yet most important ways a DJ can support a photographer is by making sure they’re ready before cueing any major moment. Whether it’s the grand entrance, first dance, cake cutting, or surprise speeches, a quick check-in can mean the difference between a perfect shot and a missed opportunity.
We make it a habit to scan the room and confirm that the photographer is ready before we hit play or get on the mic to introduce the next speaker. It’s a small courtesy that can go a long way in helping the photographer to look great and might even help give them a chance to eat their dinner before it gets cold.
Assist with Trends Like the Table Dash or Photo Rush
Photographers often plan fast-paced photo challenges like the “table dash,” where the couple races around to each table during one song for a quick photo with every guest. As DJs, we help cue the challenge, keep time, and even shout out updates or encourage guests to be ready.
Whether it’s a photo race, sparkler moment, or some TikTok-driven trend, DJs are often the ones keeping things on track and making sure the couple gets through it all while still having fun.
Stage a Packed Dancefloor Kickoff (When Needed)
Some weddings need a little help getting the dance floor moving, especially if the party kicks off early in the night before some guests are ready to dance. Since the photographer often leaves shortly after the dancefloor begins, it can be helpful in some cases to “stage” a packed dancefloor to help get some amazing dancefloor shots.
One trick we use: invite all the guests to join partway through the first dance or parent dances (right before the dancefloor is kicked off). This lets the photographer capture a beautiful, intimate moment at first, then shift to a high-energy, packed floor vibe a few moments later.
Another way achieve this is to;
Kick Off the Dancefloor with a Big Group Photo
Right before opening the dance floor, we sometimes invite all the guests onto it for a big group shot. This not only gives the photographer a golden opportunity for an epic wide-angle photo — it also jumpstarts the dancing. Guests are already up and smiling, which makes the transition into party mode seamless.
It’s a win-win move that sets the tone for the night and helps photographers capture one of the most joy-filled, high-energy shots of the reception. Although not all weddings need a little encouragement, we find these tactics especially helpful for smaller events.
Back Up (Or Be) the Wedding Planner
Not every wedding has a day-of-coordinator, and even when they do, things don’t always go as planned. DJs can often act as an unofficial coordinator by keeping things on track, moving events forward, and communicating changes to the other vendors.
Photographers appreciate a DJ who can gently take charge, adapt on the fly, and relay updates clearly. When we keep our cool and guide the timeline, it creates space for photographers to focus on capturing the moment instead of worrying about logistics.
This can be especially helpful if Cocktail Hour needs to be extended for photos, or if the photographer needs to steal the couple for sunset photos or other golden opportunities.
Help Stage A Fake Exit Photo-Op
Many photographers aren’t contracted to stay until the very end of the night, yet couples still want a beautiful sparkler exit, group dance, or a memorable sendoff in their photos. DJs can help photographers to organize a “fake sendoff” before the photographer’s coverage ends.
We gather guests, set the mood, and build up the energy with a great high-energy song. Once the photos are captured, we reset the room and dive right back into the party. The couple gets the shot, the photographer gets their moment, and the timeline stays intact.
Hold the Floor During Sunset Shoots
Golden hour is pure magic for portraits, but it doesn’t always align well with the reception timeline. When a photographer needs to steal the couple away for 15 minutes during dinner or early dancing, a good DJ keeps the party going without drawing attention to the couple’s absence.
This might mean switching the music, engaging the crowd with a quick interactive game, or just keeping the vibe smooth and steady until the couple returns. The goal is to let the photographer get those must-have shots without anyone wondering where the couple went.
Support Their Brand in Front of the Couple
We all know the importance of public perception, which is why we regularly shout out other vendors when speaking with our couples. Something as simple as “I’m so happy to see you chose _____ as your photographer! Their work is amazing!” can make a lasting impression.
These kinds of vendor-to-vendor compliments boost the couples confidence and make the other vendors look great in front of the couple. Simple compliments like this before, during and after the wedding help to build the foundation for long-term referrals and partnerships.
Tag & Promote Photographers On Social Media
Photographers love it when our DJs tag them in social posts — especially after seeing the work that we’ve put into curating content and cultivating more than 14k followers. We make a point to ask for their Instagram handle or website before events so we can give them a proper shoutout in our content.
It’s a small gesture that fosters mutual respect and helps both vendors reach new audiences. You can check us out on Instagram here @legendarysound
Leave A Legendary Review
We know how powerful reviews are for growing a business, especially in the wedding industry where word-of-mouth is everything. That’s why we make it a point to leave Legendary Reviews for the standout photographers we work with.
Throughout the night, we pay close attention to how our fellow vendors handle the flow, interact with the couple, and capture key moments. When a photographer truly impresses us, we don’t just remember it, we write about it. Our reviews highlight what made working with them great, how they made the couple feel, and the skill we saw behind the lens. It’s a small gesture that goes a long way in building strong, lasting vendor relationships.
Final Thoughts
When DJs and photographers work as a team, everyone wins — especially the couple. A collaborative approach helps ensure the night flows smoothly, the energy stays high, and every important moment is beautifully captured. At Legendary Sound, we don’t just press play. We keep the party alive, the vendors aligned, and the couple at the center of it all.
Want to work with a DJ team that gets it? Reach out to us at hello@legendarysound.ca — or check out our DJ and vendor resources to see how we elevate every event we’re part of.
