How to not annoy the wedding 'tog

pobs

pobs

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I'm going to a wedding this weekend and I'd like to take a few shots for my own amusement and learning as it seems too good an opportunity to miss.

If I have a quiet word with the 'tog and explain that i'm just learning d'you think he (or she)'ll be ok about it?

The only complicating factor is that I may have no time to take shots as i'm the best man, but best-manning is something i have done before and I know the important word is 'delegate' :)
I'm mainly thinking of the time he takes the couple away for a few pose shots and the group ones i'm not in btw.
 
I wouldn't even ask him. Your best the man, of course your gonna want to take some shots for yourself. Other people will be there with their point and shot cameras. If the official tog says anything, just tell him, you want your own keep sakes of the day. You spent all your hard earnd cash on the camera so can't offord his/her prints.
 
There was a fairly recent thread on this very subject. If you look around a bit, I'm sure you'll find it, and it was full of different points of view. Personally, if you're using anything other than a P&S, I would give the pro the courtesy of chatting with him.

- CJ
 
If the tog is taking the B&G off somewhere on their own for some shots I expect the last thing he wants is you following to take some shots as well. Let him get on with his job and then when he's done take some shots rather than risk being the potential cause of a distraction that results in shots with eyes looking in different directions.

I make it clear to the couples that I have no objection to people taking shots but ask that they wait until I've finished to avoid exactly this kind of situation.
 
I was best man at at a wedding a few weeks ago. The tog kept apologizing for getting in MY way :lol:

The bride and groom liked my shots because I did mostly candids, the pro tog was there to do all your standed issue wedding photos. The pro tog is gettting payed whatever so I would worry about upsetting him, just snap away.
 
I would say that if the couple want to go off with the snaper alone to get some shots in peace and quiet, I'd let them do just that. If they want you along too, then it's their day and that's fine too.

At all other times, snap away as you please. Although it might be a good idea to be behind or beside the paid tog. ;)
 
I guess many of the answers you're going to read here will depend on if its a pro replying.

If I were a pro, and I didn't want anyone else taking advantage of anything I was doing, or getting in the way; I'd have made sure I had covered this in any expectation setting meeting I would already have had with the B&G well beforehand. Doing this would have set expectations from my perspective (as a pretend pro) and from theirs (as clients).

If I were best man, I'd mention the fact that I would like to take pics to the B&G, and ask them if they'd been requested of the professional photographer not to do so.

Communication is key.

Covered both ways then eh! win-win :)
 
One of the frustrating things as a pro is when you get your images back and find that one of the guests is looking at someone elses camera. This also effects the product that the client is getting. I ask that I take the pic on my own first then let anyone else grab a shot.
The pro's charging scheme may well also effect his attitude in other folk taking pictures over his shoulder as it may represent lost income.
D
 
Put the issue of pro's objecting for fear of losing income to one side for a moment. From my perspective the issue is about getting the shot. If the best man follows he will likely be a distraction and cause eyes to look the wrong way or heads to turn. Some will shout out to get the attention of the couple and ruin a moment, others will keep quiet but the couple will still look to see what's he's doing. The other problem is if the best man follows then others will too.

It's about getting the best shot possible and ultimately it's the couple who's photo will be affected (hence a disclaimer in my contract). By all means have a word with the pro and find out if you're going to disturb his shots before you wade in. On the other hand the tog might not even take the couple away from the pack to do the shots depending on the venue, time line, and his style, etc.
 
It's par for the course that when you set up wedding shots, all the guests crowd around you and start taking identical shots. It never bothered me in the least, as long as they didn't get in the way and as long as they didn't start directing proceedings or calling for the eye contact. I did tactfully suggest sometimes that they'd do better getting shots from a different angle to give the couple something different.

I can't recall any problem either with guests with 'pro' looking kit - mostly they'd approach me and assure me they'd keep out of my way.. 99% of the time they were as good as their word.

Getting arsey wih people just for taking shots smacks of a lack of confidence on the part of the tog, and I see no good reason for it.

Videographers can be a different kettle of fish. I've worked with some very professional ones, but a few who had to be told in no uncertain terms that they were being a PITA !
 
CTR_Chris said:
I was best man at at a wedding a few weeks ago. The tog kept apologizing for getting in MY way :lol:

The bride and groom liked my shots because I did mostly candids, the pro tog was there to do all your standed issue wedding photos. The pro tog is gettting payed whatever so I would worry about upsetting him, just snap away.
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This is exactly the kind of attitude that gets up Pro's noses! Having shot weddings in the past the camera pests really do make life difficult at times. Shooting weddings is stressful and the last thing you need is some inconsiderate wally 'doing his thing'. I think the best advice so far was to wait until the pro has done his job then take some of your own if time allows.
 
well as long as the tog isn't being too precious about it I just want to snap a few in the bits in between him doing poses etc for the moments of light relief. For most of the day wifey will have the camera with the kit lens and the green square (good use of the kit lens IMO).

As for the couple, they have 5D themselves(obviously not in use on the day) and don't mind me taking a few for fun.

about the not looking at the togs camera, I would have thought that if he is doing his job half decently they'll be reminded to look at him;)
 
pobs said:
about the not looking at the togs camera, I would have thought that if he is doing his job half decently they'll be reminded to look at him;)
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Depends on his style and the look he's going for. He might be wanting to capture the emotional interaction between the couple so they'll be looking at each other not the camera. A bit hard to do if you've got other people causing a distraction.

On the other hand I often use people to attract attention when doing groups. By getting someone they know to stand behind me and be the centre of attention everyone is looking the right way and hopefully smiling as Uncle George makes a fool of himself or tells a joke, etc.
 
I did my nieces wedding. I let their official guy do the posed shots and I shot candid's of the other guests for a fuller picture of the day.

To be honest I prefer doing candid's anyway
 
My advice would be to back off when the photographer is doing the couple shots - it's the only time of day when they will need their full attention and it's distracting and can be embarrassing for them if other people are around.

Personally I'm cool with anyone taking photos at any other time of the day
 
Byker28i said:
I did my nieces wedding. I let their official guy do the posed shots and I shot candid's of the other guests for a fuller picture of the day.

To be honest I prefer doing candid's anyway
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That's what I'm doing in a few weeks time. My mate is the official tog and I'm doing the candids.

Both of us are guests anyway so it will be shoot, wedding ceremony, shoot, wedding scran, speech, quick drink, shoot, evening scran, shoot, dance & finally sleep !!!! My missus will have to drive that day as I'll be on my feet and she'll be gassing with all her friends.
 
Just put yourself in the position of the photographer - he has an itinerary to keep to. At the church he'll have a finite amount of time before everyone piles into the cars to go the reception. That could be a considerable drive sometimes and he needs to get to the reception at least at the same time as the B&G. He'll be having kittens at the thought of getting a puncture!

At the reception if he's done his job properly, he'll know what time they're sitting down for the meal., and how long he has to get his job done. Photographers who go over schedule and cause problems for the caterers aren't popular bunny rabbits. ;)

Just keep out of the guy's way and let him do his job, other than that, he shouldn't object in the least to what people are doing around him.
 
When I am the official tog and the B&G have asked for a few formal shots, I usually gather everyone together for the large group first. Just before pressing the shutter (captive audience) I mention that if anyone wishes to take photographs during the day, could they please wait until I have captured the shot first and then feel free. This has always worked well for me, as for the few moments people rush to take their own shots and I can see that the B&G's eyes are all over the place. I also use this to my advantage, discreetly turn around onto the masses with their P&S's and snap a few of them. The B&G think it's great because that is what they remember seeing. I never raise my voice - if I need to gather people for those must have family groups, then I use the ushers to do the running around and shouting. That way, you can never be accused of being bossy or intrusive. In fact, I had an e-mail from the Bride's parents a couple of night's ago, praising me for my professionlism and discreetness on the day and how chuffed they were with the proofs.

In summary, keep on the good side of everyone at the wedding, you never know if one of them will be your customer in the future - for me personally that's exactly were I get my future wedding bookings. A typical telephone or e-mail enquiry would start something like - .....A friend of mine was a guest at a recent wedding you photographed and has recommended you to us..... cheap advertising!

Off me soapbox now!
 
I agree asking people to wait til you've captured the shot you want is my method and for the most part people will respect your wishes. You have been hired to do a job and all these points should be discussed pre wedding. I agree with Gilly I try to be as polite as possible but if someone is persisting after being asked I generally ask one of the ushers or a family member to have a word with them.
 
I'm not surprised really. If I was there doing it for a living I'd be annoyed too.
 
If a guest turned up with a 500mm lens I think the first thing I would do is ask him if I could have a go with it ...
 
WeddingHack said:
If a guest turned up with a 500mm lens I think the first thing I would do is ask him if I could have a go with it ...
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I'd get one of the bridesmaids to erm distract him, so I could make off with it :D

Actually - 500mm - he's not exactly getting in the way then is he?
 
Interesting thread with the main points all well-discussed. Just think what it might be like if someone talks all through your speech - that should give a little perspective. :thumbs:
 
HIMUPNORTH said:
Interesting thread with the main points all well-discussed. Just think what it might be like if someone talks all through your speech - that should give a little perspective. :thumbs:
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not really, I'm doing a mate a favour and not being paid as a professional to do a job. people are welcome to talk through my speech if its crap. If the photographer is being a tit then people are going to ignore him or her more.

Most photographers are middling - as is the nature of statistics. Once or twice they have been absolutely hideous, ****ing lots of people off and a couple of times they have been so good they should have been given an extra fee for the entertainment too.
 
Speaking as a complete none pro in all departments.

I did a video of a friends wedding last weekend, I spoke with the 'Pro Tog' 'who actually took my wedding pics' and said I'm doing the video and will be 'shadowing' the whole event, I'll keep out your way, if I do get in the way just shout up, i'll also want to take actual pictures of some of your posed shots for different areas of the video, is this all OK. To which he said no probs on all accounts.

2 Weddings previous to this, again I've done the videos, this time not being familiar with the 'Pro Tog' and they too have had no problems.

Just out of respect, talk to them, tell them you are the best man, you'll be on hand to pose and also arrange for guests to get their arses into gear and get in the shots, but you would also like to reel off a few of your own.

As said above if they have spoken to the B&G and have said specifically no other cameras etc. fair enough, but I think it would be mighty difficult to stop Aunty Flo and a few other hundred guests with the old P&S. :D
 
had a chat with the groom today and it transpires that the tog is taking the shots, doing them an album and giving them the shots on a disc to do what they like after (make more prints). He's already been paid. (approx a grand, seems reasonable for handing over the RAWs to me )

he is quite flexible and doesn't want to 'get in the way' apart from a few B&G shots apart from the group.
All of us in the party are fairly relaxed-type people so i think things will work out ok.

I bet it'll **** down now:) for **** - read 'rain' ;)
 
when we do weddings , anyone in our way is politely asked to move out of it.we try and make room for people to take their snapshots , but remind them that we are the people getting paid for it.
we do get asked the odd question by ameteur togs, which we answer if we have time.
again we remind them gently that were getting paid to do it , and they usualy keep out of the way.
 
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