Aside from taking great pictures, my job is to be a solid role player on the day of the wedding. I’m one of many moving parts. If I’m doing my job right, no one at the wedding should be worried about me.

Some weddings are smooth and some are rough. If I hit a snag, I treat it like a professional and move on.

But for the couple, their wedding isn’t a smooth one or a rough one. It’s the only one. Any extra conflict they encounter is going to stay with them. When they look back on this day, they don’t need sour thoughts spoiling their happy memories.

That’s why, if something’s causing me stress, I try not to pass that stress along to the couple.

• Even when my equipment malfunctions.

• Even when a distant relative of the bride hangs on my hip for the entire reception, telling me who to photograph, as if this were my first day on the job.

• Even when my second shooter has to leave the wedding violently ill.

I don’t complain. No matter what predicament I’m in, I try not to say or do anything that might bring the wedding couple down. On this day, of all days, those two shouldn’t have to manage someone else’s problems.

Next Principle: Stay Interested.