Going to a wedding as a guest - Bring camera?

[ClickAddict]

I've got three weddings I'm going to this summer simply as a guest. (Haven't been to one in a few years.) My question to you is do you guys bring your DSLRs to weddings as guests?

First off, i'm not a pro by any means. Although I'm thinking to start a photography business in a few years to build it to be something to do in my retirement for some extra cash, I'm not even to the portfolio building yet. I've read an earlier post from April which had some helpfull advice to non paid photographers at weddings, which seemed pretty obvious to me (stay out of way and such) But the blog did mention that some photographers wont allow other DSLRs at the wedding. (Which is probably getting harder and harder to enforce as more and more common Joes (Like me) are getting them)

I'm thinking of grabbing some candids during the toasts and dance and such. Watch the photographer during the formal portraits but not take any myself, that sort of thing.

What do you guys do? Go and shoot like crazy or leave the camera at home to not impose on the hired photog?

I certainly want ot bring it, just wondering on the etiquette.

 

[ghache]

I get drunk and leave my camera at home.

 

[flatflip]

I recently took my P&S to a close family wedding. I stayed out of the way of the pros. I had fun and really enjoyed my pics at home. I also got to give copies to the couple before they got their set. A lot of the family got to enjoy my pics on a Father's Day get together. I saw another guest with a D90 and a 70-200 lens and she really stayed seated and didn't bother anyone. She probably got a few really good pics.

I didn't hang around during the formal portraits.

 

[Studio7Four]

Since each wedding is different you're probably better off asking the wedding couple their feelings (okay, as the bride her feelings) than asking for a blanket opinion. You're right, I too have heard that some wedding photographers don't appreciate other DSLRs showing up - but if that's not communicated to the couple up front, in my opinion the photographer has no right to get uppity in the moment. Conversely, some couples want as many people shooting as they can get (some even provide disposable cameras on the reception tables) and would actively encourage you to bring your gear.

If you don't have the opportunity to ask in advance, my gut says to go ahead and bring it. It sounds like you already have a grasp on etiquette (keeping out of the pro's way, not shooting during formals, etc). If you're willing to put it away if the hired pro does express displeasure with you, or politely point out that you're trying to capture candids while he's busy elsewhere (so you're filling in gaps in the story, not competing for images he's trying to sell to the couple) then no harm done. Frankly, at most weddings I've been to lately there have been a number of people pulling out their point-and-shoots, getting in each others' way while taking technically crappy (though sentimental) pictures...someone with a clue is a welcome change.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Every photographer has different view on this. As long as you stay out of the way, you dont bring a very obvious pro level lens, you dont bring an external flash, I would not care.

AND... this is the most important thing, it is unethical for you to post it on your portfolio under wedding section.

 

[B Kennedy]

I say bring the DSLR and shoot away, I've done it in the past with my 70-200 5dm2 with ext flash. It actually led me to working with one of the photographers from one of the events. That led to me shadowing them, eventually getting paid to shoot with them, and now they are photographing my own upcoming wedding. So you never know what can come about, just like others said, be mindful/respectful and have some fun shooting. Little funny sidenote, now that I'm shooting professionally, I almost never bring a camera to a wedding I go to, now I go to drink and have fun lol!

 

[ClickAddict]

...AND... this is the most important thing, it is unethical for you to post it on your portfolio under wedding section.

First I'd need a portfolio. lol. But yes. I agree that would not be allowed. Perhaps if I get some shot of a kid or something that I really like I'd perhaps use it under general shots or something like that, but certainly not as wedding experience.

 

[JeffieLove]

Every photographer has different view on this. As long as you stay out of the way, you dont bring a very obvious pro level lens, you dont bring an external flash, I would not care.

AND... this is the most important thing, it is unethical for you to post it on your portfolio under wedding section.

I've gotta agree with Schwetty on this one...

I second shot a wedding with someone back in April and we were the "Primary Photographers" of the wedding... Well, a guest was getting in the way of half of our shots with his Canon 5dmII, L series telephoto lens, and 580EXII flash... Now, granted I was the 2nd shooter and not the primary, I was still upset that a guest/friend of the bride/groom would do this. He did not stay in his seat, we ended up working around him because he was an arrogant jerk and would NOT get out of our way so we could get the shots WE were getting paid for... I don't know if he's a "professional" or not so I don't know if he put the photos in a portfolio or anything, but I found it extremely rude and annoying that he did that...

So, there's my 2 cents If you're going to take your camera, stay in your seat, and don't get in the PAID photographer's way

 

[ClickAddict]

.... Little funny sidenote, now that I'm shooting professionally, I almost never bring a camera to a wedding I go to, now I go to drink and have fun lol!

I can see doing that as well once / if I go pro, but I'm still at the "I want to get as mcuh experience shooting as I can" stage.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Yeah.. I say what you did isn't cool.

I say bring the DSLR and shoot away, I've done it in the past with my 70-200 5dm2 with ext flash. It actually led me to working with one of the photographers from one of the events. That led to me shadowing them, eventually getting paid to shoot with them, and now they are photographing my own upcoming wedding. So you never know what can come about, just like others said, be mindful/respectful and have some fun shooting. Little funny sidenote, now that I'm shooting professionally, I almost never bring a camera to a wedding I go to, now I go to drink and have fun lol!

 

[mishele]

I would take it and ask the photographer if he minds when you get there. My husband took his camera to a good friends wedding and him and the pro really hit it off. The Pro said, "Hey shoot away.....maybe you'll catch something I'll miss!!". Hubby stayed out of the way for all the formal pictures and just took shots of everyone messing around in between setting up for the next shot.
Everyone is different though.....some might just think you are in the way.....lol

Have fun whatever you decide!!!

 

[B Kennedy]

To be honest, DSLR pro or not, everyone brings them to the weddings now-a-days. There's no way when being contracted to photograph a wedding to prevent anyone there from taking pictures as long as they don't prevent the "contracted" photographer from performing their duties. You almost always get an aunt/uncle/friend, etc trying to get in the way of shots, its part of the wedding business. If this is a problem, you end up bringing it to the bride/groom's attention for them to deal with. The key sentence in my post was to "be mindful/respectful" aka do not interfere with the photographers work. Then in my opinion all is good.

 

[Robin Usagani]

But it made you look like a tool though going to a wedding as a GUEST with 70-200 lens and an external flash. I know MOST of photographers and guests will think you are a tool. Doesnt matter if you are not in the way. If I did bring a dslr as a guest, I probably bring my 5D II, no grip, no flash, with 35L. Thats it. Or maybe my 500D instead of 5D so I have flash.

If you know the photographer, then that is a different story but I still wont put it in my portfolio unless I have an agreement with the photographer.

To be honest, DSLR pro or not, everyone brings them to the weddings now-a-days. There's no way when being contracted to photograph a wedding to prevent anyone there from taking pictures as long as they don't prevent the "contracted" photographer from performing their duties. You almost always get an aunt/uncle/friend, etc trying to get in the way of shots, its part of the wedding business. If this is a problem, you end up bringing it to the bride/groom's attention for them to deal with. The key sentence in my post was to "be mindful/respectful" aka do not interfere with the photographers work. Then in my opinion all is good.

 

[willis_927]

Just take it. Tons of people have dslr cameras now days, I would guess there will be a few other people at the wedding with them. The last wedding I second shot at, the minister reminded the guests prior to the reception that there was professional photographers, and asked them nicely to keep from using there cameras until the end. Afterwards people started taking pictures, but most people are aware to stay out of the way of the pro... Plus the bride and groom know who the pro is taking the pictures, and for the most part will be directing all of there attention to them anyways.

 

[B Kennedy]

But it made you look like a tool though going to a wedding as a GUEST with 70-200 lens and an external flash. I know MOST of photographers and guests will think you are a tool. Doesnt matter if you are not in the way. If I did bring a dslr as a guest, I probably bring my 5D II, no grip, no flash, with 35L. Thats it. Or maybe my 500D instead of 5D so I have flash.

If you know the photographer, then that is a different story but I still wont put it in my portfolio unless I have an agreement with the photographer.


To tool or be a tool. Haha...I liked your post, anyways, I love photography and I say go big or go home!