Shooting guests at weddings?

CarlukeDave · 24 Aug 2009

I've just ordered a HiLite for my portrait work, and I was thinking of other avenues for it.

Would there be a market for taking shots of guests at a wedding, maybe after the meal, once the main photos are out the way? I was thinking that most people do make a special effort for a wedding and probably look their best, so the chance for a proper photograph may appeal.

I'm not sure it would be a good idea, but does anyone do this or heard of anyone that does?

Dave

Andy · 24 Aug 2009

Only problem I can think of that is where would you set up? B&G wont make a special place for you I dont think and most places e.g. corners will be filled with food or music etc

If the b&g are happy with it and theres space then I guess its ok

Aperture87 · 24 Aug 2009

I wouldn't suggest it, you'll get a life sentence for murder...

Sorry, I couldn't stop myself.

swanseamale47 · 24 Aug 2009

We have done it once or twice (on request) but I wouldn't do it off my own back, I think the couple might be offended at you making money off their guests when they are already paying you to be there.

unclened · 25 Aug 2009

i would say that you would have to find a very open and relaxed couple to be keen on this. I find with the weddings I have been to and shot (not many) the guests already try and hog the photographer (at the annoyance of the b&g), as they think its a free opportunity to try and get a professional photo of them.

funky_snowhead2 · 25 Aug 2009

Speaking as a potential bride...
If you said it was a service you offered I would say no at my wedding. Probably because we would still want you doing the informal captures of the 'party' and dancing after the meal for us, not special requests for guests...
We'd pick a tog that has online (password protected!) galleries and would hope to be singing their praises to our guests in the thankyou letters where they can order their own prints if they want - obviously taken in the style we originally specified.
Equally we wouldn't want the tog blatantly giving out cards or promoting their services at the wedding. However if a guest asked for a specific photo or for your business card/website then not a problem!

There's no harm asking beforehand though as each b&G are different!

CarlukeDave · 25 Aug 2009

swanseamale47 said:
We have done it once or twice (on request) but I wouldn't do it off my own back, I think the couple might be offended at you making money off their guests when they are already paying you to be there.

Yeah, I was thinking if it was going to be something I done, I would stick it on the website and if it was asked for, then I'd do it. It certainly wouldn't be something I pushed. On the occasions that you have done it, was it a good earner?

Dave

wingnut · 28 Aug 2009

I have spoken to couples about this before the general feeling was no thanks. They would rather I capture the candid's as the evening went on.
I havce seen it on several american websites, they called it a white room or similar. The ones who have had success always ran with two togs for the evening. One manning the whote room and other doing the candid stuff. A little reasearch will show you other ideas that work over there. One being the photobooth style set up. Basically it's a simple enclosed booth attached to a dye sub printer and simple point and shoot camera attached to a lappy. The software does all the work and the guests are given a print out of their 4 shots and the bride and groom get a copy on disc.
PartyBooth website

Slightly different to what you suggested and the money making opotunity is not there as such but it may one day be popular over here.

Back to the subject of couple portraits at weddings, if you find a suitable location that is clutter free, with a nice back drop and the quality of the image is top notch then surely guests will buy copies that's if you display the wedding images online for them to view?
I know I have.

swanseamale47 · 28 Aug 2009

CarlukeDave said:
Yeah, I was thinking if it was going to be something I done, I would stick it on the website and if it was asked for, then I'd do it. It certainly wouldn't be something I pushed. On the occasions that you have done it, was it a good earner?

Dave

We didn't normally charge the guests, it was in the package as an extra, only once have I done it charging the guests (as arranged by B+G) made a profit, but not a huge amount, it was worth doing as I was there anyway.
Personally I think some of the guests were confused by having to pay, they thought it was a free service as part of the wedding, it was a pain having to explain to them that this part was different to all the other pics I had taken all day. Being honest I wasn't really comfortable doing it that way, I don't think I'd do it again charging the guests.