Everyone Thinks They're a Wedding Photographer

[DeadSmiley]

I've got a rant brewing from a wedding that I attended (as a guest) this past Friday night.

Here is goes...

It was easy to see who the pros were when we walked into the church. The big white lenses and Quantum battery packs pretty much gave them away. But, after being escorted to our seat I noticed that the guy behind me was sporting a Nikon D70 with a 70-300 el cheapo lens on it and an SB-600 hanging off the hot shoe. Two rows in front of me there was another guy with what turned out to be an old Kodak 14n with what looked like maybe a 17-55 or 24-70 on it with an SB-800 attached.

The wedding starts and within seconds the guy behind me is clicking away. I could hear him behind me grumbling because the shots weren't coming out like he'd wanted. Obviously someone doesn't understand his camera or how to expose for inside a church.

The guy in front of me was leaning into the aisle...standing up...and just generally getting in the way of not only the pros but also the view of the other guests.

I could see that it wasn't taking long for the pros to get annoyed with these two chuckleheads, but they kept their cool and went about their business ignoring them and often times purposefully getting in the way (which I thought was really funny).

The two wannabes were getting visibly huffy because they couldn't shoot.

...and then there were the snapshooters. Everything from little tiny camera phones to big honkers from ten years ago (think old Sony Mavicas with the floppy disk drives built in). They were just snapping away and all I could hear was "breep...bddeep...beepity beep...k-shzk(fake shutter noises)" as they snapped away. The best was the moron that left the "quack" noise in place for his shutter.

I was just amazed at how much this detracted from my enjoyment of watching to dear friends get married. Equally amazing was the sheer rudeness of people leaning in front, reaching over, and standing on things to get what will likely turn out to be nothing more than a poorly lit crappy snapshot.

I don't know if doing weddings semi-professionally has changed my opinion or if I'm more aware of it now, but I was just disgusted.

Here's the thing...if you own professional grade photo equipment (bully for you)...LEAVE IT HOME! There are professionals that are being paid to take photographs...now is not the time to practice...it's time to STAY OUT OF THE WAY and enjoy the wedding to which you are an invited guest.

...and to the snapshooters...if you can't get the picture from where you're sitting put the camera away and stay in your seat. Another thing...most of the digital cameras sold in the past couple of years have the option to turn all the sounds off...DO IT. I'm pretty sure that the bride and groom (and the other guests) would much rather hear each other speak their vows and not have to wade through your camera beeping and quacking (I know I would).

So that's it. Think of me what you will, but I have no doubt that there will be a few of you that will fall on my side of this.

- DS

[Paul Shields]

Sounds like a nightmare... I was at a family wedding a few months ago, and took along my gear as the bride and groom requested me to. I was not the 'pro' - and didn't take any shots at all during the service. There were one or two though who couldn't help snapping away, despite being told by the priest to not do it. I was also doing the video and so was standing on the altar capturing the ceremony. It's amazing how many times I could see the red AF assist lights go off amongst the congregation . It was nowhere near the level you're describing though, and I think that type of behaviour can ruin the intimacy of a wedding ceremony.

By the way - the pro photographer there was carrying some ancient MF camera and probably took no more than 36 shots throughout the day. Every one of them was crystal clear and nicely framed. That is a skill I really admire.

[badpickev]

you need to amend this. i never have a need to shoot a wedding, nor do i need to take a camera to one, nor do i think i need to go to one for that matter. i really do not need to go to my kids wedding, they were not at mine.

i live by this rule - a person can be smart, but people are dumb. thus i try to avoid any gathering of people.

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by badpickev

i really do not need to go to my kids wedding, they were not at mine.

You're a funny guy .

[FocusingOnFlorida]

Yep, that's crap. I hope the bride and groom got some good photos.

[Unkl Buck]

If I'm not paid to take photos at a wedding, I leave the camera at home and enjoy the time.

[AJW390]

Exactly! If I'm not paid to shoot the wedding I feel it is my time to just sit back and watch all the action and ENJOY myself!What a relaxing feeling it is!

[Worm324]

I really feel like a jerk I was just at my buddies wedding and was totally that guy, minus the rude part IMO. I did have the courtesy to stay out of the way and make sure the pro got all the shots. I was more of a spectator with a decent camera and a 580 flash. The weird part is I just saw some of the pros' shots and most of mine were better? Except for angles and moments i obviously couldn't get.

My friend who was getting married encouraged me to take pics and honestly I was trying to learn as much as possible, because it was the first time I ever shot with my flash and in those conditions.

I really think the way you go about taking the shots is really important and that can lead to issues big time for the pro's.

Just my amerature input on a totally valid point!

Best,
Jay

[DeadSmiley]

Originally Posted by Worm324

My friend who was getting married encouraged me to take pics and honestly I was trying to learn as much as possible, because it was the first time I ever shot with my flash and in those conditions.

I've been in the same situation and under those circumstances I would agree that it is completely cool to shoot as long as you stay out of the paid photog's way.

When it happened to me I ended up chatting up the pro and they dumped a huge bit of knowledge on me...for which I was very grateful.

These guys on Friday night were just getting in the way.

One thing the pro did which I thought was great was he had the priest shuffle everyone out of the church after the ceremony except for the people who were going to be photographed and he shut the doors to the church. You could tell that the all the snapshooters and the two wannabes were none to happy about it.

[DeadSmiley]

Originally Posted by Unkl Buck

If I'm not paid to take photos at a wedding, I leave the camera at home and enjoy the time.

Originally Posted by AJW390

Exactly! If I'm not paid to shoot the wedding I feel it is my time to just sit back and watch all the action and ENJOY myself!What a relaxing feeling it is!

I'm with you guys, that's time to kick back enjoy a glass of bubbly and have a good time with friends and family.

That and my wife will usually forbid it. As she puts it, she feels like a camera widow...and I have this rule...if she's happy, I get to be happy...if she ain't happy, fat chance on me being even close to it.

[drkranger]

As a sports shooter, one rule of thumb is to stay out of the way of the paying customers. As a photographer, you're not paying to be at the game and others are so they get the first view. I try to keep that in mind whenever I take my camera anywhere.

I will not, however, shoot a wedding on my own. I'm not interested in that type of work. I did take my camera to my sister's wedding a few years ago. If I took pictures, it was while the pro was setting things up or doing something else because I knew that anything I did whether it be trying to take a picture while he was (meaning people might be looking at me or possibly having my flash overexpose his), or get in his way, my sister would be pissed! I did know the photographer which helped and I talked to him a bit before the wedding, but I certainly made sure to stay out of his way.

On a side note, people are rude; plain and simple. Most are oblivious to things happening around them. They don't care how their actions and behavior interferes with others around them and are only interested in getting what or where they want. It's frustrating, but I can't see it changing anytime soon. If you say something, you're the ass and it's not going to change anyway. If you don't say something, they are certainly not going to get the clue; the proverbial rock and a hard place.

You've probably already taken the idea away from the situation, but just think the next time you're shooting or doing anything in public for that matter, should you be and if you want to, what are your actions doing to others around you.

Just my $.02.

By the way, is this just an American phenomenon or does it occur elsewhere? Just wondering.

[Lee4145]

Originally Posted by DeadSmiley

...and I have this rule...if she's happy, I get to be happy...

That's the unspoken rule at my house.

"Happy wife, happy life."

[k9ofkaos]

When my wife and I got married, I told all the groomsmen that if they say anyone come in to the ceremony clutching a camera to politely tell them that the bride and groom requested that there be no photography during the ceremony so as not to devalue the solemness of the occasion. It worked and I've never regretted doing it.

[DeadSmiley]

Originally Posted by k9ofkaos

When my wife and I got married, I told all the groomsmen that if they say anyone come in to the ceremony clutching a camera to politely tell them that the bride and groom requested that there be no photography during the ceremony so as not to devalue the solemness of the occasion. It worked and I've never regretted doing it.

That's not a bad idea. I may have to suggest that to the next bride and whose wedding I shoot. It's ideal coming from the groomsmen as it keeps the photographer from looking like the bad guy.

[jazzology]

Do unto others...