Is it rude to...

pgriz · Feb 17, 2013

The only time I've ever had an issue with a wedding photographer at a wedding was when the photographer was not well organized and was running around trying to get pictures of people after they started coming out of the church. Unlike most of the other weddings I've attended and unlike most of the other wedding photographers I've seen, this one did not have a set of preplanned shot sequences, and was trying to get people together to get the shots he needed. When there are about 200 people milling about, and trying to figure out who's going with who to the reception, take the various family snapshots, etc., it's difficult to pull the people together to get the shots - and since the photographer did not plan this portion, he was running around trying to get people together, and snapping at all the family members who were shooting each other with whatever cameras they had.

Pretty much all the other wedding photographers had no problem with family photographers doing their thing, as long as we didn't get in the way - and that was a simple process of communication.

CCericola · Feb 17, 2013

As a wedding photographer I don't care if people take pictures when I am, just don't get in my way. Especially with the family group photos. I take mine, then let the family paparazzi have at it. I'm not worried about losing money on prints. The people settling for Uncle Joe's photo weren't going to buy anything from me anyway. I have already been paid quite a bit of money that was due 1 week before the wedding.

I hate taking my camera to weddings when I'm a guest. I just want to relax and have fun. Why do you want to take your camera and hide behind it all night? Don't you like your relatives?

rexbobcat · Feb 17, 2013

ratssass said:
in all honesty,what if the tables were turned?how would that make you feel?

I'm...not sure I would care? As long as they weren't encroaching on my photo space lol.

I've never really worried about prints. I'm more concerned about the cost to show up, take the photos, and edit them.

Even if some dude showed up with $10k worth of gear, the bride and groom are still paying me a large chunk of change regardless.

In my opinion, it would be very strange for a wedding photographer today to base their business model around print sales.

BrianV · Feb 17, 2013

My Nephew's wedding, the Official Photographer forgot to bring a wide-angle, could not get a picture of the wedding party in the confined space. I lent him my lens so he could get the shot. He made sure to put a greasy thumb print over the rear element as he handed it back- figured he wanted to ruin the rest of my shots. I saw it, cleaned it up before putting it back on. Another weddings, my shots ended up being the ones used for the wedding album. "Processing accident" at the pro lab destroyed all of those from the pro.

Some photographers view every camera there as loss revenue. If the photographer is good, they have nothing to worry about- their pictures will sell themselves. The lousy ones, they have something to worry about.

o hey tyler · Feb 17, 2013

Here's my words of advice to you:

Bring your camera, yes. That's fine. Use just the 85mm on it, and maybe the 24mm. Don't bring the 70-200. I think you'd do fine just walking around with the 85 (personally.)

Remain in your seat during the ceremony, and don't do the normal "stick your camera down the aisle as they're walking." That will more than likely aggravate the photographer.

Do not try to get a shot of all the formal poses right after the photographer does, this annoys me to no end and makes that particular segment drag on for far longer than it needs to.

Don't set up a bunch of flashes for dance floor photos that could potentially interfere with what the primary photographers are trying to accomplish.

If you follow those guidelines, you should be fine. Those are all the things that rustle my jimmies when I shoot a wedding.

tirediron · Feb 17, 2013

Talk to the B&G, have them ask the hired photographer. If he/she is good with it, fine. If not, gow ith that too... like most of us, you're not going to be content to sit in a pew and raise your iPhone to get a shot, you're going to be trying to get 'the' shot; it's in our nature, so if the hired gun is especially fussy about other shooters, than don't upset him/her. If they're not... have a blast.

amolitor · Feb 17, 2013

I take photos at weddings. But as a guest, from the positions guests occupy. I'm not in anybody's way any more than any other guest, and I try to take pictures that the photographer will not take. For instance, photographs of the photographer. One of the memories one has as a guest at a wedding is of the constant pacing presence of the photographer. Photographers at weddings are trying to hit certain shots, they're NOT trying to capture the sensation of being a guest. As a guest, I can most conveniently attempt to capture that. So, I do.

People seem to like it, it's another angle on their day. These aren't the photos you're going to frame, but you might put one or two in the album, and you might share a few out with the friends and family. Why not?

Any "pro" who bitches at guests about taking pictures from the positions guests normally occupy needs to get out of the business, something which I expect will happen without any help from us.

Mully · Feb 17, 2013

If you show up with better equipment than the hired photographer that can cause lens envy ....bring a good point and shoot and look like a relative that likes to take pictures.

BrianV · Feb 17, 2013

Or bring a Leica, no one takes them seriously.

tevo · Feb 17, 2013

BrianV said:
Or bring a Leica, no one takes them seriously.

I was going to suggest this

BrianV · Feb 17, 2013

Next time I see a IIIc at a wedding, I'll offer to lend you the Sonnar for some shots.

imagemaker46 · Feb 17, 2013

I would just take pictures at a family wedding. If the hired photographers feel so threatened by some amateur showing up and doing so casual shots, they have the problem. As long as you aren't being a pain, getting in the way or distracting the couple during the "official" photographs it shouldn't be an issue. How do you think the wedding photographer I hired for my wedding felt when he showed up and most of the guests were professional photographers, all with cameras. This was over 30 years ago and he missed a bunch of the shots after the ceremony, he was out in his car with the Maid of Honour checking his gear.

EmmaBproductions · Feb 17, 2013

No. You never know, they may prefer your photos to the actual photographers.

Anyway, if you dont capture a decent set of photos, if doesnt matter as they arent paying you!

Awiserbud · Feb 17, 2013

BrianV said:
My Nephew's wedding, the Official Photographer forgot to bring a wide-angle, could not get a picture of the wedding party in the confined space. I lent him my lens so he could get the shot. He made sure to put a greasy thumb print over the rear element as he handed it back- figured he wanted to ruin the rest of my shots. I saw it, cleaned it up before putting it back on. Another weddings, my shots ended up being the ones used for the wedding album. "Processing accident" at the pro lab destroyed all of those from the pro.

Some photographers view every camera there as loss revenue. If the photographer is good, they have nothing to worry about- their pictures will sell themselves. The lousy ones, they have something to worry about.

That sucks, I would have given it back to him and asked him to clean it.