Crazy Pro photographer in my area, what do you think?

[480sparky]

Can someone please explain to me how someone taking shots at a reception with a point and shoot damages the pro photographers reputation per images shown (what the f*** does that even mean?)?

Try having a group pay attention to ONE photographer (despite the fact that it's the one getting paid 4 digits and is assumed to be good) when there's 50 other people wanting to take the same photo. Plus, there's the off chance the pro's (and I'll use that term loosely in this case) camera will accidentally synch with other strobes going off as well. Blinking eyes by the subjects is also problematic if some bozo fires off a shot just before the bought-and-paid-for photog.

 

[e.rose]

Eh, I got 3 images into their slide show and I closed the page.

Let 'em rant.

 

[Robin Usagani]

He is mad because Uncle Bob and Aunt Roberta take better pictures than him.

 

[Derrel]

He will not last long as a "per-fessssh-uh-null fah-tooog-grah-furrr". The guy's a complete nincompoop.

 

[e.rose]

Can someone please explain to me how someone taking shots at a reception with a point and shoot damages the pro photographers reputation per images shown (what the f*** does that even mean?)?

Try having a group pay attention to ONE photographer (despite the fact that it's the one getting paid 4 digits and is assumed to be good) when there's 50 other people wanting to take the same photo. Plus, there's the off chance the pro's (and I'll use that term loosely in this case) camera will accidentally synch with other strobes going off as well. Blinking eyes by the subjects is also problematic if some bozo fires off a shot just before the bought-and-paid-for photog.

I understand the "no camera" policy during formal shots. I thought that was standard in every event contract anyway... but for the RECEPTION? C'mon. That's just REDUNKULOUS.

Sorry 'bout it.

 

[Big Mike]

It certainly sounds like this guy has gone too far. But any wedding photographer will tell you that it can be a pain to shoot a wedding when the guests are also trying to take photo.

This used to be a more serious issue for photographers because it was common to make most of your money on re-print sales. If a guest happened to get a shot that 'good enough' for the B&G, and gave it to them for free...the photographer would loose a sale. This led many photographers to act pretty surly at weddings, as they were trying to protect their income.

These days, it's much more likely that photographers make their money up front, and/or they sell a bunch of digital files anyway. So the photographer doesn't have to rely on selling individual prints for most of their income.

Another issue, is that if the subjects of your photos, have two or more cameras pointed at them...they may not know where to look. And if the other cameras are being held by their mother and their beloved uncle Bob...they may be inclined to look there, instead of at you. So you end up with inferior photos because the subjects are looking every-which-way.
That's why I have it in my contract that I am to be the only one taking photo. Of course, I don't intend to enforce that policy unless it becomes absolutely necessary. It's usually enough just to have it in the contract and to go over it with the B&G. (and maybe remind them during the shoot).

 

[MWC2]

I understand the "no camera" policy during formal shots. I thought that was standard in every event contract anyway... but for the RECEPTION? C'mon. That's just REDUNKULOUS.

Sorry 'bout it.

As a guest at a wedding, I would never even try and get a shot of the formals. It just seems in bad taste. But the reception is a totally different bad game. How do you police this policy with almost every cell phone having a camera? Some newer cell phones even have flashes now. Good luck to him and all his skills, knowledge and Nikon camera.

 

[NikkiRivera]

I read some of it... found this - "John Phoenix Thanks to ALL the Likes and comments, united we stand!" Pfffft! I wouldn't even hire the guy. That is completely ridiculous!

 

[480sparky]

I understand the "no camera" policy during formal shots. I thought that was standard in every event contract anyway... but for the RECEPTION? C'mon. That's just REDUNKULOUS.

Sorry 'bout it.

That's why I got out of shooting professionally back in the mid 80's.

 

[Geaux]

https://www.facebook.com/notes/john-phoenix/for-real-professional-photographers-read-what-we-are-doing/201901753192751


He also refuses to give discs of images.

 

[Raian-san]

Lol I only ask that there's no other professional videographer there at the Wedding as they will want the same angle I want and I can't do my job. I think it's perfectly fine for people to film with their iPhone, camcorders, sometimes I would film those people recording and if it fits in the final video, I'll include it.

He's just an idiot and letting his ego get over his head. If you're doing Wedding photography, you know you have to adjust on the spot and find ways to capture shots. If you're not able to know what to do in those situation, don't do wedding. My friend just had a Wedding and iPhone pictures and etc was posted on FB the time of the events and the next few days. It just gets people who wasn't at the Wedding a sneak preview until the Real photo become available. With technology and social networks these days, you simply can not stop people from taking pictures or video.

 

[Big Mike]

He also refuses to give discs of images.

That's not all that unusual.

 

[Josh66]

I'd like to see how he plans on enforcing that policy...


The only thing I can see that he could do is refuse to shoot the wedding (which may be a good thing for the bride & groom).

 

[g-fi]

In my wedding contract, I outline that during the formals I will be the only person photographing. I specifically write in my contract that guests are allowed to take their own photos during the ceremony/reception, but that the clients are responsible for making it clear to their guests that they should not obstruct important shots or interfere with me doing my job and the reasons why. I explain in my contract that other guests cameras/flashes can have unintended consequences on a shot, but I also feel like as a modern day wedding photographer, part of your job is to anticipate and work around what you KNOW the circumstances are going to be. I've actually asked guests around me and within shouting distance to hold their shots until after I'm done so I can get the shot and most of the time they are willing to comply, but I make sure the bride and groom know that it's really their responsibility to either designate someone during the wedding to run interference at those moments or to put a note in asking for no flash photography during the ceremony, whatever they choose to do. I view guest cameras during the wedding like the weather, you can't control it so you'd better be prepared to work around it.

 

[PhotoWrangler]

It is usually on the contract but usually during the formal sessions. You cant expect anyone not to bring cameras during the ceremony or receptions.

We recently had an issue where the aunt of the bride brought her studio in a bag, and proceeded to whip out her D3 and 2.8 glass. She had been asked to photograph the wedding but declined. She thought she'd get away with it, but failed to realize she didn't know me so well. I can tolerate a few uncle Tom's with digital whatevers, but when you are a self admitted, studio owning pro coming into my hired territory... show some respect.