After dozens of phone calls to professional photographers across the country, DJ Times uncovered the secrets that can elevate a mobile DJ company from mediocre to top-notch status. All the photographers we interviewed said that the best DJs are team players— not an island. Some offered examples of how DJs saved the party. Others, the ones we’ll call the straight-shooters, were more frank in their assessment of DJs. So here it is, DJs and the photographers who refer them…

Phillip M. Cohen, p.m. Cohen Photography, Warwick, R.I.

"I refer DJs that are, of course, on time and professional. But, most important, I refer those DJs that know how to entertain a crowd and keep the party moving. The success of a wedding, bar/bat mitzvah, party or whatever is largely determined by its entertainment. There’s much more to a DJ’s job than just playing music! They must know how to entertain the audience [they’re] working for...and keep the affair lively and enjoyable!"

Elise Yung, Always By Elise Photography, San Francisco, Cal.

"The DJ I recommend is a top-notch act. They are always on time, they dress appropriately, are very friendly and will do anything in their power to help the day run smoothly. He’s great with everyone from age 2 to 92. He makes sure everyone who wants to dance gets out on the floor, even if it means asking Great Grandma to dance with him."

Jeanne Hastings, Picturesque Photography, Lake Forest, Cal.

"One trick that many DJ companies use that I love is after the first dance, parents dances, etc. If the guests are not on the dancefloor, the DJ calls up everyone for a big group picture. I climb a ladder or shoot from a balcony, and he has everyone on the dancefloor and plays something they hopefully will all stay and dance to.

"The DJ company that I refer, California Mobile Music, is always on time, and in a tuxedo. They always have the music for the first dance, parents dance, etc. They play the songs the bridal couple requests during the reception. If a guest requests, say, rap music, and the bride and groom have that song on their ‘No-No’ list, the DJ nicely declines or refers the guest to the bride to see if one selection is OK to play. Jerry, the owner, carefully trains his employees. He takes them on several functions, then lets them work alone and calls his bride to see how they did on their first job alone. If the bride is dissatisfied for any reason, that new DJ no longer has a job with his company. Furthermore, all of his employees are personable people that can get the dancing started with several different ideas and keep the party rocking. They do not eat the meal even if vendor meals are provided; and they do not drink anything except water or soda. They eat before they start working, so they do not have to stop the music or even leave a CD running without a DJ behind the microphone – except for perhaps a short trip to the men’s room!"

Linda Sant, Focal Point Productions, San Diego, Cal.

"The DJs I recommend are just really, really good. They get the crowd going, and they cooperate with the photographer – they get us out of there. Seriously, there’s no reason for the photographer to stay at the event, waiting three hours to cut the cake, when they’re not doing anything in between. I also refer them because they can get the crowd going, they have good equipment and our clients like them. We do video, too, and they can be real helpful asking people if they want to do video interviews and that sort of thing. The good DJs are cooperative with the photographer and the client."

Paul Barnett, San Diego, Cal.

"There’s a couple of DJ companies I recommend, but one in particular, Miles Pelky of Mobile Dance Party/Laser Rhythm I recommend because they’re very good at reading the audience. I mean, if you have a room full of 65-year old women, two hours of Nirvana might not be appropriate – there’s an element of reading an audience that has to be done. I [want] to mention...that less equipment is more. Miles comes in with an extremely small set-up. He uses high-powered equipment, but it’s very small and that’s a good thing. I think DJs far surpass a band in their ability to entertain 120 13-year olds. When you’re trying to have a party for 13-year olds, production is everything, lights and all that is what they’re looking for...that would be the only time more equipment is better."

Frank Bulfamante, Michael’s Studio, Westchester, N.Y.

"The main reason I refer particular DJs is the way they present themselves and the way they conduct the party. It’s a level of professionalism that has style and class to it – not…hokey. They appeal to a level of clientele that I would want to be my clients. They know how to run a party; they know how to manage a party. I like a DJ who just makes my job a lot easier. If the DJ does their job right, it makes my job easier. I cannot tell you how many times we, as the photographers, had to step in and do the maitre d’s or the MC’s job."

Scott Mitchell, Bill Mitchell Photography, Paramus, N.J.

"We like to work with DJs who are entertaining, who will work with us and respect the job that we have to do and have a nice relationship as far as communications back and forth and all that. For example, if they know we have to get a group shot of a whole bunch of kids at a bar mitzvah, they don’t try and assemble the group when we’re out of the room doing family portraits or something. The DJs we like are good party motivators. It doesn’t make a difference what type of crowd – whether they’re older or younger. They always find a way to enhance the party by knowing how to motivate them and at what times. But it’s important, whether you’re the DJ or the photographer, to work with the catering hall and timing is the key – you have to know when the food is being served and all that."

Steve Schlessinger, Lifetime Images, Chino Hills, Cal.

"There’s one DJ around here who people love, Bill Stearns, formerly of K-Rock [radio] in L.A. He has a story for everything. He knows the story behind everything, all the traditions, like the cake cutting, what that signifies – a complete MC. He has a long waiting list and he charges twice as much for his services. People really like him.

"What’s a good DJ? Well, a lot of times, the bride and groom come from different backgrounds and have largely different tastes. If a DJ can put that together and keep people entertained – that’s a good job. They’re supposed to be the MC, they’re supposed to keep the pace of the evening and basically everything that happens before the cake cutting. It’s really their job to get the festivities started, do the traditional stuff as quickly as possible, and keep on top of the bride and groom. If they don’t, people will start coming up and asking questions. I’ve been to events that have dragged on an hour or two longer than they should because this. It takes more than somebody who can just spin records – it’s somebody that can stand up and MC and take control of the event."

Steve Schlessinger’s Perfect DJ...

"Makes sure when the photographer walks in, to have a couple of minutes alone with them. Pull them over and introduce yourself, say, ‘I’d like to review these plans with you, are you caught up with everything? If you need any help, I’ll try to help you out as best as possible.’ Guys like that I love and respect. People who know the drill. Basically it’s the same thing every time – just ask the photographer if there’s anything they need, just kind of get things together and review what the bride and groom have lined up."

Jeff Ellis, Jeff Ellis Photo, Chicago, Ill.

"There are [only] one or two I recommend…because I thought they acted professionally, had really good equipment, reacted to the mood of the party, took requests and most importantly, weren’t obnoxious. They need to know the difference between running a show for a bar mitzvah with a bunch of 13 year-olds and a wedding with adults, who don’t want to hear a lot of obnoxious banter and dance contests, but just want good music appropriate to the mood and timing of the evening.

Jeff Ellis’ Perfect DJ Plays...

"Quieter music during dinner so people can talk…more lively when trying to get the crowd moving and paying attention to when they want to keep up the pace or slow down to catch their breath."

"From a photographer’s standpoint, they need to confer with us at the beginning of the party and let us know the plan of the evening. If they act as MCs, they need to let us know when they will announce toasts, cake cutting, anything out of the ordinary so we can be ready to shoot it…We have to work together to service the client."

Diana Cooke, Bishop, Cal.

"We would love to recommend DJs, but in this remote area they do not last long or they charge a fortune to come here. We are four hours south of Reno and five hours north of Los Angeles. DJs that do travel to our area – and there have been some great ones – are ill-prepared, without business cards, really missing out on networking with other professionals in the party area.

"Who I would recommend would be a DJ that does entertain and keep the party going [and] also one that will listen to what the person has to say and respect their wishes. Commitment is another asset, say you are coming, take a deposit, and come!"

Juliet Varnedoe, JVS Photography, San Francisco, Cal.

"I recommend DJs who don’t try to be MCs at an event, particularly a wedding. Also, no Kenny G dinner music and, finally, all ages on the dance floor."

Clay H. Wieland, Clay Wieland Photography, Fort Lauderdale Fla.

"I am very careful when it comes to DJ recommendations. I used to have a couple that I really liked, but when I gave their name to my customers, someone else always ended up showing up to the job. I know that’s the way most DJs work, but I give personal service, and if I talk about an individual, not a company, I would expect that person if they’re not already booked to show up. This business, in my opinion, is all about customer service and I value my word-of-mouth customers like gold. After all, I’m only as good as my last job."

Brian Hull, Brian Hull Photography, Pawtucket, R.I.

"[The DJ I recommend is] always very professional, he works very well, he’s got a great personality and can always get a room dancing. I’ve never seen him drink."

Kurty Wong, Kurty Photography, San Francisco, Cal.

"We recommend DJs to our brides for several reasons. Professionalism: Not all DJs have the attractive voice and charm to invite the wedding guest to the dancefloor. A good DJ can turn a dead party alive with words that trigger energy and tricks to get people dancing. Quality: It is important to have good quality sound equipment and back-ups in case of failure. The music collection should be up-to-date and diverse enough to fulfill all requests. Photographer-Friendly (of course): DJs, photographers and videographers are like a team. Communication beforehand can greatly help us plan ahead for the event. There may be certain last minute things we don’t know about, like special guests making presentations and other surprises."