Wedding shooting when and where to shoot

bonafideimages

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Damien
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Hello I spoke in another chat about doing a groom shoot

The problem I have is my mates payed in excess of £1500 for the photographer for his day and they are unable to make the groom shoot aswell as the pre bride shoot and only works alone with no second shooter

So my friend has asked me to shoot the groom pre wedding bit which I have no problems with

For portfolio reasons this is a good chance to get practice in shooting weddings so offered to shoot more than just the groom bits he said this was fine but the hired photographer has insisted that "no one with a professional camera is to shadow her"

The question is as not being the hired photographer when would it be acceptable to shoot in the day so not to cause obstruction to the day

Also what would people class as shadowing being in the same room as the tog I.e church / reception or just in the Imediate area I wouldn't want to shoot any where near the pro tog tbf but would still like to shoot in the same room?

Has anyone had this problem or any advice how to tackle the situation as I don't want to upset anyone
 
I'd suggest you don't follow the main photographer around shooting the same pics. Do the lads, then just take the odd pic same as everybody else. Let the photographer take the couple off on their own for the 'nice' pics, then afterwards take them off your self for your own, then your not treading on her toes as she tries to work.
 
Thanks

I was thinking of missing out on the couple shoot as the photographer is there until the first dance at night which means the B&G will be sick of having there photos taken at a guess so won't want me hassling them for more
 
A groom shoot alone is a nice little addition to a portfolio/experience, no need to push your luck :)
 
Call the photographer. Have a chat.

As I often say to guests "if you feel a sudden sharp shove in the back then you were in the way".
 
I would just let the photographer work. Your mate's paying a lot of money after all and you wouldn't want to upset the apple cart. I would steer clear of being anything other than a guest in the formal shots and just do some reportage at other times.

Along with the formal shots of the grooms-men this should make a nice set of images for a portfolio and a lovely wedding gift.
 
I'd just do the groom shoot then relax an be a guest - you won't get anything worthwhile for portfolio usage shooting the set shots while the pro is working anyway because they'll be looking at her , not at you.

The only other thing is when does the pro finish ? - a lot of times coverage ends at the first dance , so if this is the case here your mate might appreciate you covering some of the latter reception action
 
As a pro i always appreciate it when guests come and talk to me, ask whats ok. Most of us are approachable. For me the one thing i dont like is guest shooting close to me during the formals. Most guest think this is to protect resales but its not. If i have 8 people in front of me and there is someone shooting of to the side you can bet at least one of them will look at their camera and not mine ruining the shot. Another pet hate is guests leaning into the isle during the service when im at the back trying to get the photos I'm paid to take. The number one thing to understand is your photos must always come second to the main photographer. You may also learn a lot more by watching the photographer rather than trying to grab your own shots.
 
As a pro i always appreciate it when guests come and talk to me, ask whats ok. Most of us are approachable. For me the one thing i dont like is guest shooting close to me during the formals. Most guest think this is to protect resales but its not. If i have 8 people in front of me and there is someone shooting of to the side you can bet at least one of them will look at their camera and not mine ruining the shot. Another pet hate is guests leaning into the isle during the service when im at the back trying to get the photos I'm paid to take. The number one thing to understand is your photos must always come second to the main photographer. You may also learn a lot more by watching the photographer rather than trying to grab your own shots.

The aisle thing annoys me too... had to ask a guest to move out of the way just as the B&G were about to walk back up the ailse and she gave me a right snotty look!!! :razz:

Got some lovely shots of them walking without her mahoosive backside in the way though so it was worth the daggers she gave me :lol:
 
As a pro i always appreciate it when guests come and talk to me, ask whats ok. Most of us are approachable. For me the one thing i dont like is guest shooting close to me during the formals. Most guest think this is to protect resales but its not. If i have 8 people in front of me and there is someone shooting of to the side you can bet at least one of them will look at their camera and not mine ruining the shot. Another pet hate is guests leaning into the isle during the service when im at the back trying to get the photos I'm paid to take. The number one thing to understand is your photos must always come second to the main photographer. You may also learn a lot more by watching the photographer rather than trying to grab your own shots.

Wow thats breathtakingly arrogant,when we photograph a wedding we are there to record the day and from many years of experience put up with guests being a bit of a pain ,part of the skill of a good wedding photographer is handling large number of people without offending anybody. When I am at a wedding as a guest I tend to take a telezoom get well away from the official tog and zoom in on the interesting things happening on the periphery of the event.
Re the groom shots for £1500 i'd personally want a full coverage but as he wont be there at that p[art of the day chat to the groom shoot what he wants and then have fun for the rest of the day
 
Wow thats breathtakingly arrogant,when we photograph a wedding we are there to record the day and from many years of experience put up with guests being a bit of a pain ,part of the skill of a good wedding photographer is handling large number of people without offending anybody. When I am at a wedding as a guest I tend to take a telezoom get well away from the official tog and zoom in on the interesting things happening on the periphery of the event.
Re the groom shots for £1500 i'd personally want a full coverage but as he wont be there at that p[art of the day chat to the groom shoot what he wants and then have fun for the rest of the day

Bovey is right.

You have a job to do, they don't, so stay out of the way.

The people whom step out into the isle are by far the worst, especially during those church services where you're restricted to the back of the church.
 
It is good manners not to get in the way of the Hired photographer, Or any one else come to that.

However all pros know that there will be almost as many cameras about as guests, and it is up to them to manage the situation so as to keep everone happy.
If you do your task right he will not even notice you.

If he is not there for the groom shots how will he even Know you have taken some.?
 
Yep well live with it I have for 20 years,its a pain but those people are there to see their loved ones tie the knot and at that part of the service you are there to record what goes on in front of your lens and if that happens to be Auntie Mabel leaning out to see her darling nephew and his new bride well thats life
 
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