Going to a wedding...

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Dinsdale

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Not sure if this is the right forum or even if I'm getting my draws in a knot over nothing. I'm going to my niece's wedding next month and thinking of taking my camera along. I seem to remember some pro togs mumbling on about how they hate it when a wedding guest brings their exIpensive camera to a wedding and starts taking pictures of their own. Now my camera is a D800 and I'm pairing it with a Nikkor 24-70 f2.8. It's not my intention to stand alongside and copy the pro tog employed for the occasion but I do't want to upset him/her by taking some shots of my own.
My question is what would be the etiquette here, or should I just stop worrying and get on with it? Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
I think as long as you're not trying to steal the pro tog's thunder and get in their way, there shouldn't be an issue. Introduce yourself, say who you are and that you just want some family snaps, I'm sure they'll be fine.
 
Take your camera along and enjoy the day!

You are a guest and it doesn't matter what equipment you have so long as you don't stand in front of or look over the shoulder/be in the way of the official photographer.


Heather
 
I'd suggest avoiding the formals if you can, as the paid photographer will have enough work on his/her hands as it is trying to make sure all eyes are in their direction :bang:

edit: on a personal note I've shot a couple of family weddings as the photographer but personally unless I'm there to take photo's I never take my camera to a wedding as you spend too much time messing around taking photos rather than enjoying the day that or making sure no drunk idiot is near the camera every time you have your eye off it for half a second :bang: been to a few friends wedding and it's always so much more fun without the camera :lol: was really glad at the last one as it was in a local castle and come the end of the night I was that urm.....phished that it took me over an hour to work out how to escape the castle :suspect:
 
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Its easy enough to keep out of the way, you don't even really have to introduce yourself unlss you're getting a bit close, we're used to people turning up with DSLRs. We only get upset if you start to get in the way of our job, which is just normal, no matter what the job.

I think other togs complain because they think its OK to come to our place of work and become a nuisance, without giving it a 2nd thought.

I'm sure you'll be fine, don't judge the guy by his gear, but by his behaviour.
 
I'd suggest avoiding the formals if you can, as the paid photographer will have enough work on his/her hands as it is trying to make sure all eyes are in their direction :bang:

edit: on a personal note I've shot a couple of family weddings as the photographer but personally unless I'm there to take photo's I never take my camera to a wedding as you spend too much time messing around taking photos rather than enjoying the day that or making sure no drunk idiot is near the camera every time you have your eye off it for half a second :bang: been to a few friends wedding and it's always so much more fun without the camera :lol: was really glad at the last one as it was in a local castle and come the end of the night I was that urm.....phished that it took me over an hour to work out how to escape the castle :suspect:

And that was just a bouncy castle :)
 
And that was just a bouncy castle :)

:lol: :lol: :lol: Indeed :D

I'll have you know it was actually a very posh do, well till I rocked up and lowered the tone a little bit :suspect:
 
I recently took photos at my niece's wedding (at her request). I simply stayed well back from the pro for the formal shots (or worked from a very different angle and from a greater distance), kept the camera in its bag during the ceremony, didn't go anywhere near the very elaborate setups where they were using lights. Really not an issue as long as you don't intrude.
 
Would you not have more fun with a pocket-camera? I've got my Canon S95 as my family/friends camera (or it might be I'm just lazy!)
 
I wouldn't have a problem with it tbh... as long as the guest doesn't have better gear than me that is :D

The only real problem is when a guest with a camera starts jumping in the way or telling you that you should be doing it x or y way. This happened to me once and I felt like telling the guy to ***** off. Obviously I didn't and instead just asked to see the pics he'd taken and after looking through them handed the camera back and walked off with a smug look on my face
 
I took my camera to a friends wedding, stayed out of the pro's way and took "fun" shots the bridesmaids in deep conversation waiting to join the B & G' formal shots "uncle Bill" having a crafty smoke etc the B & G enjoyed them and I didn't get in the way of the pro.
 
Well guys that gives me some food for thought. Thanks.

One thing I'd never do is try and tell a pro tog how to do their job. Unless its to remind them the lens cap s still on! 😝

I really want to take my camera especially as the "chief accountant" very kindly stumped up for the new lens specially for the event. I'll just stand back and take the candid stuff etc.

Thanks for the good advice guys.
 
Well guys that gives me some food for thought. Thanks.

One thing I'd never do is try and tell a pro tog how to do their job. Unless its to remind them the lens cap s still on! :)

I really want to take my camera especially as the "chief accountant" very kindly stumped up for the new lens specially for the event. I'll just stand back and take the candid stuff etc.

Thanks for the good advice guys.
 
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