Quote:
Originally Posted by DAVE PROUTY
So all of you want to make enemies of the clergy! 
That will be a losing battle.
You would be better off trying to understand their misgivings about photographers, and try to allay their fears or frustrations with our industry. Many times it will be a problem with one individual photographer who was so arrogant and egocentric in the church, that "rules" had to be made to prevent such disregard, and disrespect, for the clergy ( I know from experience of a case in local Catholic church that usually had no rules! ). They are people, too. You would be better off sitting down with these "nasty" clergy folk, and let them know how much you respect their position. ASK what they don't like. You may find that you can make peace with these clerics. AND be able to shoot more in more ways than the initial rules allow. You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar! I even had the ability to set up an additional camera where no photographer had been allowed before, just because I had been gracious and respectful.
Get off your high horse! You are not the most important person from everyone's perspective! Don't make enemies. It will only hurt you in the long run. You can be banned from a church! I've seen it! There aren't so many churches around that you can just declare as "no way I'm shooting there" kind of places. Make friends, not enemies.
Littlegal,
Do you really think a bride, who has been a part of a church all her life, will be sympathetic to you, or her church family she's known most of her life?
You really need a reality check! Think about it. I do understand how you feel. |
Actaully, yes.
The girls many times wish that they could get out of the contract with the church when they learn the rules. I try to calm them by telling them that we will simply recreate THE ENTIRE CEREMONY....
I agree that I've heard some horror stories myself from priest and ministers. Crap that I can't believe any photog would ever do. There is a fine line to be sure.
But let's take this past Saturday's wedding for example. I arrive at the rehearsal, as I always do, and check in for the church rules. The priest was not there, but his wedding cooridinator informed with me that the priest must 'NEVER SEE US". I ask for clarification. Does that mean that we need to stand back behind all the pews? In the lobby? What?
No....he CAN'T see you.
What does that mean?
"He HATES wedding photographers. Dont' talk to him. Don't even let him see you or you will be in trouble".
Can we use flash on processing in the narthex?
No. No flash, anywhere at any times. He doesn't want to know you are there. He has stopped the ceremony before and thrown photographers out if he ever SEES them.
Can we be in the bridal room?
"only if you don't use flash and he doesn't see you".
Ummmm. Ok.
So the bride and her mother are listening to all this. They are soooo sad. They were also told AT THE LAST MINUTE that the bride couldn't play "here comes the bride" because it "assumes the bride is higher than Christ". Meanwhile at the ceremony, the pianist plays "Wind beneath my Wings", which I instantly assume must be something that the Angles insprired....Whatever.
So meanwhile, me and the team have been avoiding the priest, and hiding like Ninjas. We've got two people hiding behind columns at the back, and I'm hiding behind the pianist up front.
We got a total, out of the 3 of us, maybe 15 shots, because we were so busy following the foolish rules of not "being seen". We have to wait until the priest looks away, and then take a quick shot and hide again, so he doesn't screw up the whole ceremony by stopping it "because of us".
He goes on to give this crazy assed mass. People were looking at each other like, "whatttt"
?? He was a really old guy, so I get it. Basically, it was that Obama was a bad guy, and Bush was a good guy, and if you love Bush and Christ, and liked people, (Besides wedding photographers) and old people, and had lots of kids, which you had to take to the crying room because he didn't like crying kids in mass...you were a good Christian. It was the most nutso wedding mass I've ever witnessed.
Was I doing handstand in the pews? Nope. Were we running up and down the aisles? Nope. HAVE WE EVER
HAVE WE EVER EVEN USED FLASH
HAVE WE EVER MISSED A REHEARSAL OR GONE TO THE OFFICIANT BEFORE HAND TO ASK THE RULES
? NOPE. HAVE WE EVER DISOBEYED THEM
? NOPE. Even to the detriment of the couple and there memories.
Let me ask you this Dave....can you name one Bible Verse, new testiment or old, that people can not celebrate or for that matter record, a sacred ceremony that honors the love and bond and unity of two people?
I can tell you what I see. I see Priest, and Ministers, a few of them at least, who preach the sancticy of the ceremony, and then have a big broadway production, which includes singers, organists playing non secular songs, and in some cases bands and choirs. And not complete without lighting effects, bells, and chimes.
So get over myself? Really. Just point out in the Bible, where Jesus hates wedding photographers, and I'll stand down.
Meanwhile, I've met a TON of cool priest, rabi's, and ministers. They are like, "Please remember that this is a sacred ceremony, but get the shots you need so that the couples have a great rememberance of their union. Just don't be obnoxious.". They understand that this is a BIG DEAL, especially to people who love their churches. These officiants, for me are the rule and norm.
So what is wrong with a website informing brides BEFORE they are told that they can't shoot the ceremony, and giving them options of churches within, or priest, ministers, and soforth, WITHIN there affiliations, of the options?