Do you take your DSLR if you are a guest at a wedding?

[Josh66]

Honestly, I wouldn't bring anything that will require "work". This is the stuff auto mode was made for. Bring something that you can put in Auto, snap some pictures when you want, slip in your pocket when it's not needed, and have a good time.

They hired a pro for the important stuff - you're just there to have fun and see them off. Enjoy the party, get drunk, make a fool of yourself. That's what weddings are all about.

 

[APHPHOTO]

I take my camera everywhere. You never know what you'll see while traveling or what might arise when you get there.
If at a wedding, I would certainly not bring it in unless asked. Dont need an uncle Bob running around shooting pics
when there's allready a paid one there.

 

[Carny]

I take my camera everywhere. You never know what you'll see while traveling or what might arise when you get there.
If at a wedding, I would certainly not bring it in unless asked. Dont need an uncle Bob running around shooting pics
when there's allready a paid one there.

If there are 200 people there, I bet 198 of them have cameras. The two that don't will be the preacher and the groom.

 

[Josh66]

I take my camera everywhere. You never know what you'll see while traveling or what might arise when you get there.
If at a wedding, I would certainly not bring it in unless asked. Dont need an uncle Bob running around shooting pics
when there's allready a paid one there.

If there are 200 people there, I bet 198 of them have cameras. The two that don't will be the preacher and the groom.

Doesn't mean you have to be the ass-hat standing in the middle of the aisle blocking the shot. Not saying that's what you're going to do - just saying, get shots when you can, but that isn't why you are there. Don't get in the way of the people that are there to take pictures.

 

[Solarflare]

Yes, definitely. People are my favorite photographic subject, and a social event like a wedding is when nobody will complain if you photograph.

 

[RyanLilly]

I like to have a camera, I would personally bring my Olympus pen, because its small, and not intimidating. That is, its easy to use, so you can put it on auto, hand it to anyone, and say "hey take a picture of me jumping over the ice sculpture." Its nice to get shots of other people that are not the focus of the event. The paid photographer is not taking concentrating on taking pictures of Bob on Jim warming up to Karaoke a duet from the lion king, however, the bride and groom...and everyone on Facebook might still want to see those pictures.

 

[RyanLilly]

Basically, yes bring a camera. But don't take "wedding photos;" Take "fun" photos.

 

[gsgary]

No because i will be getting pissed

 

[Buckster]

I take a DSLR everywhere with me and shoot whatever catches my interest. I wouldn't make an exception for a wedding.

I left it in the car for my grandmother's funeral because I figured it would upset some people, and I've regretted it ever since. No more. Anybody who doesn't like it can kiss my behind.

That said, I would certainly be sure to stay out of the official photographer's way and not do anything to mess him/her up with flash or whatever, but yeah, I'll be shooting.

Oh, and if I wanted to put any of them in my portfolio to show what I'm capable of doing with a camera, I'd do that too. Don't like it? Tough.

 

[Carny]

No because i will be getting pissed

Why? Pissed because you wouldn't have the gear you need, or pissed if you were the hired pro?

Oh, and if I wanted to put any of them in my portfolio to show what I'm capable of doing with a camera, I'd do that too. Don't like it? Tough.

I'm not building a portfolio (this is just a hobby), but I don't see why I shouldn't use photos I took regardless of whether or not a "pro" was hired to cover the event. They are still MY photos...

 

[Robin Usagani]

Oh, and if I wanted to put any of them in my portfolio to show what I'm capable of doing with a camera, I'd do that too. Don't like it? Tough.

:er: Sad...

 

[Carny]

Oh, and if I wanted to put any of them in my portfolio to show what I'm capable of doing with a camera, I'd do that too. Don't like it? Tough.

:er: Sad...

Why? If you take a photo at a wedding why not use it? I could see your point if the hired gun sets the shot up and you come along and snap one too, but other than that why not? If you set it up, or just happen to be at the right place at the right time, and use your gear and your creativity, why shouldn't you get credit for it?

 

[Robin Usagani]

Oh, and if I wanted to put any of them in my portfolio to show what I'm capable of doing with a camera, I'd do that too. Don't like it? Tough.

:er: Sad...

Why? If you take a photo at a wedding why not use it? I could see your point if the hired gun sets the shot up and you come along and snap one too, but other than that why not? If you set it up, or just happen to be at the right place at the right time, and use your gear and your creativity, why shouldn't you get credit for it?

By definition.. yes.. it is your photo. You took it. You can do whatever you wish. Would you still do it if it will piss a lot of people off? 90% of the time, it will piss the main photographer off. People will also lose respect if they see you put a wedding photo you took as a guest on your professional wedding portfolio. Why do it? I have seen people do this. My first impression was lame. I am certain majority of other professional wedding photographers will agree with me.

 

[camerateur]

my cousin had a wedding last november.
I took my dslr and snapped pictures at the reception, which is great because I guess the photographer she chose was charging them extra for things she didn't realize she had to pay for (she should've done better research, this guy didn't take great photos)
anyway, she LOVED the pictures that I had taken, not because they are amazing (they are not). they were from a different point of view and I got a lot of candids and a lot of the background stuff.

Truth is, on the wedding day the bride and groom are so wrapped up in everything going right.
they have so much on their minds. even if the photographer takes amazing photos, he or she(or multiple shooters) can't get everything.
and somewhere along the line, long after the honeymoon and long after the Thank You notes have been sent out, the newlyweds will love discovering that their grandma, uncle, friend or cousin took some of their own pictures and has their own experience of the wedding recorded. after all, you put on a wedding for yourself AND your family.
I know I would love to see photos from the many little things going on at my wedding while I was probably pulling my hair out.
but like others have pointed out: there is a line. don't interfere with the photographer being paid to be there. have fun.

Why? Pissed because you wouldn't have the gear you need, or pissed if you were the hired pro?

I think he meant piss drunk. but not sure..

 

[Carny]

:er: Sad...

Why? If you take a photo at a wedding why not use it? I could see your point if the hired gun sets the shot up and you come along and snap one too, but other than that why not? If you set it up, or just happen to be at the right place at the right time, and use your gear and your creativity, why shouldn't you get credit for it?

By definition.. yes.. it is your photo. You took it. You can do whatever you wish. Would you still do it if it will piss a lot of people off? 90% of the time, it will piss the main photographer off. People will also lose respect if they see you put a wedding photo you took as a guest on your professional wedding portfolio. Why do it? I have seen people do this. My first impression was lame. I am certain majority of other professional wedding photographers will agree with me.

I have a feeling this has probably been hashed out a thousand times before here at tpf, but anyway...

Why would the main photog be pissed?

What "people" would lose respect? Other photographers? I doubt the public would know or care.

I'm sure other wedding photogs wouldn't like it. They don't want you to take credit for something you weren't paid for, but it's hard to take get paid for something if you have nothing to take credit for, lol. It's kind of like saying you are going to start a photo business on tpf. If you went by the response here you would think that there are already all the pros there will ever be and no one else is worthy. If you have all the gear you need then you are a MWAC or a Best Buy Pro. If you have skill and a cheap rebel with a kit lens, then you don't qualify because you need better gear and three of everything so you have a backup for your backup, lol.