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Dave Stone

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A question for all you wedding togs. How do you feel when you turn up to a wedding and see someone like many of us on here as a guest turn up with their kit. Should they come and speak to you first to agree what they shoud or shouldn't shoot or do you let them get on with it? I wouldn't think it particulaly sporting for me to take photos off of your hard work and maybe do you out of some buiseness.
 
I don't mind at all. Firstly I'm getting paid for my time and a package of prints, that's my bottom line on the job and it's already covered so any shots anyone else takes just adds to the couple's memories of the day and doesn't worry me.

However, for the "formals" I try and keep the numbers down to those in the shot simply because it cuts down on distractions. With group shots Auntie Flo will invaraibly look at Uncle George rather than me because she knows him. So I try and arrange these shots to keep distactions down and save me a lot of mucking about. I explain all of this during meetings prior to the wedding. Once I'm done I'm happy for other people to take shots if they want, as it won't affect my bottom line.
 
i have taken some kit to friends weddings before, but i stay well out of the way of the wedding tog and just take candids of the guests instead. i wouldn't want to interfere with someone doing their job and formal wedding shots don't do much for me.

you can tell a lot about a pro's self confidence when you walk in with a 1Ds slung over your shoulder though. nothing like a bit of pressure to bring out the best in someone......
 
If they aren't in direct competition with you then I guess its not an issue.

So if you've been paid up front thats fine, if your working for print sales then its time to get arsey! For me its fine, so long as they dont start distracting the people I'm trying to photograph....
 
nowler said:
you can tell a lot about a pro's self confidence when you walk in with a 1Ds slung over your shoulder though. nothing like a bit of pressure to bring out the best in someone......
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I suggest that any tog feeling threatened by the appearance of a 1Ds shouldn't be doing the wedding in the first place. Why on earth should gear envy be a factor?
 
pxl8 said:
I suggest that any tog feeling threatened by the appearance of a 1Ds shouldn't be doing the wedding in the first place. Why on earth should gear envy be a factor?
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it's not a factor as far as i'm concerned, it's just that i've seen rabbit's in the headlights syndrome a couple of times..... i personally feel that if you're good at something, it doesn't matter what those around you have or are doing.
 
first wedding I ever went to was as a guest, pulled out the camera (I asked them before hand and they said although they'd got a pro it was cool to do)...the people notice a 1d body when you take it out and the pro's did but I kept out of their way though getting different angles on things. they left pretty early and I got the rest of the day...basically the entire reception. My take on it was I respected the pros were there to do a job and stayed out of the way, as it happens the couple loved my photos more...

Now I get paid to do it I'd expect the same courtesy and do say so to couples in the meetings prior to weddings that every man and their dog has a camera now a days but when it comes to the required shots, in the politest possible way, let me do my job and get the best results for them then everyone else can have their turn...(similar to mentioned above really). You'd hope they trust your [paid for] skills more than uncle Fred's newly acquired hobby...
 
Hi, its not a problem really as long as they don't stray across my lens and...and this is the big one, in group shots I need eyes looking at me, I've had occasions when uncle aurthur turns up with his D3 and you get an image of half the family looking at him and the other half at me! thats when you need your directors hat on lol.

Iain
 
Doesn't bother me, everyone has a camera at a wedding these days.

Some people take it too far though and I think it's direspectful - not to me, to the couple - you go to a wedding to celebrate your friends marriage, not to indulge your passion.

Earlier this year I turned up at the church and asked the groom who the best man was, 'that's him over there with the camera' - this guy was running around shooting the guests in the church.

After watching this for a few minutes, I pulled him to one side and asked him why he was here, he looked at me blankly. 'Are you here to take photos, or support your best mate at one of the most nervous times of his life ?'. He looked at me long and hard and said 'good point', put his camera down and rushed off to be with the groom. I didn't see him with the camera for the rest of the day.

I just hope that as people with a passion for photography you don't forget why you were invited to a wedding.
 
WeddingHack raises a valid point. I mean if the best man is running around taking photos I know I would be too as a groom. Awesome vantage point for some 10mm shots me thinks.
 
petemc said:
WeddingHack raises a valid point. I mean if the best man is running around taking photos I know I would be too as a groom. Awesome vantage point for some 10mm shots me thinks.
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Lol, if I ever get married again I might be tempted :)
 
nowler said:
you can tell a lot about a pro's self confidence when you walk in with a 1Ds slung over your shoulder though. nothing like a bit of pressure to bring out the best in someone......
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I had to chuckle at that...


pxl8 said:
I suggest that any tog feeling threatened by the appearance of a 1Ds shouldn't be doing the wedding in the first place. Why on earth should gear envy be a factor?
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Usually someone with good equipment is an excellent user of that equipment and that might be the factor. I would feel threatened that some guest would outperform me. Imagine the situation that Uncle Joe outdid the designated (paid) wedding photographer.

WeddingHack said:
Some people take it too far though and I think it's direspectful - not to me, to the couple - you go to a wedding to celebrate your friends marriage, not to indulge your passion.

I just hope that as people with a passion for photography you don't forget why you were invited to a wedding.
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Couldn't have said it better! At first I thought, "man, why not bring the dslr and get some mad pictures!(?)" But then it crossed my mind that not only would it be a little disrespectful but also I'd probably come off as weird and trying to hard.
 
Markk said:
Usually someone with good equipment is an excellent user of that equipment and that might be the factor. I would feel threatened that some guest would outperform me. Imagine the situation that Uncle Joe outdid the designated (paid) wedding photographer.
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All the gear, no idea springs to mind too. I was covering the social side of a polo match for a magazine last year when a woman came up and asked for help with her 1DII and 300 f/2.8 that she'd bought to take pictures of her son riding. :bonk:

I kid you not.
 
pxl8 said:
All the gear, no idea springs to mind too. I was covering the social side of a polo match for a magazine last year when a woman came up and asked for help with her 1DII and 300 f/2.8 that she'd bought to take pictures of her son riding. :bonk:

I kid you not.
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Ok, there are anomalies to this general rule :) lol
 
nope. doesnt bother us.
happened a few times. they usualy realise that your the paid togs.
(or get a subtle reminder) and tend to keep out of the way.
we try and let them get some nice shots in too, where we can.
often end up discussing technique and stuff with them in the quieter spells. post speach or while the guests are eating.
guy a couple of weeks ago had EXACTLY the same kit as me.
even asked fro a bit of advice. nice chap.
the folks in the formal stuff do occasionaly need reminding to
" look at the pretty lady with the camera,(the wife) not the ugly bloke with the camera ."(me) .
 
pxl8 said:
All the gear, no idea springs to mind too. I was covering the social side of a polo match for a magazine last year when a woman came up and asked for help with her 1DII and 300 f/2.8 that she'd bought to take pictures of her son riding. :bonk:

I kid you not.
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Whats the saying 'to much money not enough sense'
 
you're right there, pxl8, especially if on commission
 
I went to a wedding last Friday. The groom was a police officer and the bride a Scenes of Crime Officer, so the guests were a smattering of members of both of those professions. Funny as bits watching the look on the pro togs face when, as the bride appeared, the whole room was suddenly awash with 'borrowed' D200's and 300's. (The police generally use Nikons)

The kit didn't compare with his but the look on his face was a picture in itself.

Comus
 
Actually, a friend and fellow keen am tog has just asked me about such a scenario. She is attending a family wedding tomorrow and wants to take her D50 with her. Whilst she is very happy for the pro to get on with his stuff and just use the D50 for a few snaps away from the formal shots, several of which she will appear in of course, the pro has said 'absolutely NO DSLR's allowed! The B&G are happy for her to use it BTW

Anyone any suggestions for getting round that one? :bonk:
 
Yeah, just tell her to take it... DSLR's are getting cheaper and more and more people have them as their regular snap cameras. Like has been stated above, as long as she uses it in a respectful way, the pro tog has nothing to complain about!! If they do, they are being out of order.
 
LadyLens said:
Actually, a friend and fellow keen am tog has just asked me about such a scenario. She is attending a family wedding tomorrow and wants to take her D50 with her. Whilst she is very happy for the pro to get on with his stuff and just use the D50 for a few snaps away from the formal shots, several of which she will appear in of course, the pro has said 'absolutely NO DSLR's allowed! The B&G are happy for her to use it BTW

Anyone any suggestions for getting round that one? :bonk:
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Sounds like an insecure tog? My wedding tog was a little annote at Michael bringing his kit, he reminded Michael that all the "formal shots" were his copyright? :cuckoo:
 
LadyLens said:
Actually, a friend and fellow keen am tog has just asked me about such a scenario. She is attending a family wedding tomorrow and wants to take her D50 with her. Whilst she is very happy for the pro to get on with his stuff and just use the D50 for a few snaps away from the formal shots, several of which she will appear in of course, the pro has said 'absolutely NO DSLR's allowed! The B&G are happy for her to use it BTW

Anyone any suggestions for getting round that one? :bonk:
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I find it unbelievable that the tog could stipulate what cameras the guests could bring! :cuckoo:

I've always wanted to have a go at wedding photography (Not necessarily in a pro capacity but just to see how well I'd do). Problem is I haven't been to a wedding for many years, but if I do get the opportunity I will certainly keep out of the official tog's way. Mind you, it will be very difficult to resist having a chat with him/her during the quiet periods. ;)
 
Ho wmany wedding photographers are professinal wedding photographers?

There are an aweful lot who do it as a Saturday job in addition to their normal weekday jobs - and work for £500.
 
LadyLens said:
Actually, a friend and fellow keen am tog has just asked me about such a scenario. She is attending a family wedding tomorrow and wants to take her D50 with her. Whilst she is very happy for the pro to get on with his stuff and just use the D50 for a few snaps away from the formal shots, several of which she will appear in of course, the pro has said 'absolutely NO DSLR's allowed! The B&G are happy for her to use it BTW

Anyone any suggestions for getting round that one? :bonk:
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Sounds a bit desperate. I would try and find out if there's anything in the contract about this because the tog might get a bit grumpy and start making noises and it would be a pity to create a situation out of it. I'm not saying your friend shouldn't take their camera, just be prepared with the oh I'm sorry and all innocent act if need be to calm things down.
 
I have a clause in my contract that states that no guests are allowed to enjoy themselves until I am around to take a photo of it. I raise a little green flag when they are allowed to laugh.
 
LadyLens said:
Actually, a friend and fellow keen am tog has just asked me about such a scenario. She is attending a family wedding tomorrow and wants to take her D50 with her. Whilst she is very happy for the pro to get on with his stuff and just use the D50 for a few snaps away from the formal shots, several of which she will appear in of course, the pro has said 'absolutely NO DSLR's allowed! The B&G are happy for her to use it BTW

Anyone any suggestions for getting round that one? :bonk:
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What?! That's ludicrous, just bring the camera.


EdinburghGary said:
Sounds like an insecure tog? My wedding tog was a little annote at Michael bringing his kit, he reminded Michael that all the "formal shots" were his copyright? :cuckoo:
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Another crazy one! His copyright? Does that mean if anybody else takes the same shot of ANY picture he has taken previously their infringing on copyright? Yeah right, get a life.
 
From experience the proiblem was never with the folks with SLR's because they usually kept out of the way,it was the pillocks with point and shoot compacts standing in front of the bride or standing right behind me and generally getting in the way
 
pxl8 said:
Sounds a bit desperate. I would try and find out if there's anything in the contract about this because the tog might get a bit grumpy and start making noises and it would be a pity to create a situation out of it. I'm not saying your friend shouldn't take their camera, just be prepared with the oh I'm sorry and all innocent act if need be to calm things down.
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Sorry not been around to reply, got family visiting so I am getting about half an hour in the morning on th epc and thats it :bonk:

However, thats about it, she is going to take the camera anyway and have a word with him. Apparently he has said its something to do with 'all these dslr's getting in the way'. I mentioned the contract yesterday but I think getting the bride to read the contract the day before the wedding was probably not going to happen. :lol:

I can understand his point but even 6 years ago, I was at my friends wedding and there were a pair of togs hired and they simply asked people to allow them to take the formal shots then everyone was free to take what they wanted, they even got the immediate family, and then the whole lot arranged again for others to take shots, even taking an SLR film camera off an uncle and taking the group shot for him so he could be in it. You know what, not only did the B&G but all their prints from them, they hired them again to do some portraits of the kids a couple of months later. ;)
 
LadyLens said:
Actually, a friend and fellow keen am tog has just asked me about such a scenario. She is attending a family wedding tomorrow and wants to take her D50 with her. Whilst she is very happy for the pro to get on with his stuff and just use the D50 for a few snaps away from the formal shots, several of which she will appear in of course, the pro has said 'absolutely NO DSLR's allowed! The B&G are happy for her to use it BTW

Anyone any suggestions for getting round that one? :bonk:
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Barmey...... I have a nice Mamiya 330 which sits nicely on a tripod. They can borrow that if they like. Darn sight more cumbersome and 'get-in-the-wayable' that any dSLR. :naughty:
 
LadyLens said:
Apparently he has said its something to do with 'all these dslr's getting in the way'.
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I'm sure there are plenty of people here who will correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't part of the skill of a good wedding tog the ability to organise and communicate with people so that they can avoid the other guests getting in the way? In any case, a guest getting in the way with a compact P&S is just as bad as a DSLR I would have thought in that it's more likely that their elbow or head would appear in shote rather than the camera/lens. Bear in mind that with a P&S, the user would more than likely hold the camera out in front to use the screen at probably more distance than the average DSLR lens would extend.

The tog at the wedding 6 years ago seemed to have the skill down to a fine art.
 
a couple of years ago i read a photographer say it didn`t bother him what gear anyone had , because anyone can have the best gear . But he would look at whow they were using it and if it looked like they knew what they were doing he would distract them in some way ! he said he would say do me a favor just go to my car and get this or that .
he said he found it a threat that uncle A might stop him from selling some shots after he had set them all up.

i was at a wedding not long after and taking some candid shots , when the photographer pulled down a branch and said can you hold this . i was quite pleased to find he thought of me as a threat .

i do weddings myself and if i see someone close with a camera i say would you like to get a couple of shots before i carry on . i find they move alot quicker and let me get on with what i am doing .and say thankyou .
also while my wife sets up the groups , i go and get the candids .
i don`t find anybody a threat with a camera , by the wedding day i have been paid for my time , they have picked what album they want to which i make a bit on top , any other photo`s ordered will be canvas or blocks or stuff ordered by parents etc. i don`t add those into what i expect to earn . they are a bonus if they happen . if they don`t i`m not going to sit and worry . i have faith in what i can offer a couple

Rog :thumbs:
 
Going off at a slight tangent I had a call yesterday from a couple getting married next year. They wanted to know how much for me to "take a few snaps and give them the files as these days with Paint Shop Pro anyone can get the prints done".

Call me crazy but I felt I had no choice but to decline their fantastic offer :cuckoo:
 
:suspect:
we get the odd one of those.
we usualy point out that we take proffesional photographs, not "snaps".
and we dont provide files only .

i definitely agree on the skill involved of getting over enthusiastic guest togs out of your way.
being 5 ft ten and 15 1/2 stone and asking them politely to move out of the way , as the b and g are paying us a lot of money for these photographs , does it.;).and we do give them the poertunity to get a shot. after the register shots and that sort of thing.:bat:
 
pxl8 said:
"take a few snaps and give them the files as these days with Paint Shop Pro anyone can get the prints done"
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Just like everyone can draw brilliantly because we all have pencils.:cuckoo:
 
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