snphoto2016
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2017
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 1
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos NOT OK to edit
I'm sorry in advance but I just need to vent about my experience this weekend. Just a little bit of background. I booked a low paying wedding to help build my portfolio. I currently shoot mostly families and seniors and while I love it, I get a lot of wedding inquiries and would like to at least have some options to those potential clients. Anyway, I did all my homework and was well prepared for the any contingencies of the day, except for one...the people. I don't know if it was because I was a "cheap photographer" or if it was because the M-O-H "does pictures too" but these bridesmaids treated me like I was the enemy. I was all smiles when I entered the hotel room to get shots of the bride getting ready and you would have thought they were going to a funeral. I understand that wedding days are stressful but this was depressing. I tried complimenting their dresses, engaging in conversation about some details about the day, nothing worked. I asked if everything was going smoothly so far and they said it was. So I follow the schedule and get my shots, trying to make the best of it while still getting beautiful images.
The ceremony goes off without a hitch and we keep moving.
Then comes time for family formals and I kid you not but I have 2 UNCLE BOBS! One of them who flat out told me where I needed to be shooting. The Maid of Honor is at this point trying to fully direct the post ceremony session of the bridal party with uber cheesy poses (which is not what the bride discussed wanting from me). So I do the thing where you give in a little and then redirect so you can keep everyone happy and still get your shots in. In the end I still got all the images on my shot list and it was a great learning experience but I've never dealt with such pushy subjects before. I've done several weddings already this season but this one takes the cake for the worst so far. I remember when I was portfolio building for my portrait business and dealing with the same thing, not being treated as a professional because you come cheap, or being exploited by the client because they are just looking for a "deal". I know this is probably not the worst horror story out there and a little more experience under my belt would have me shrugging these attitudes off, but at one point the Maid of Honor announced she was going to get her camera because she claimed I was leaving (which totally confused the bride because I was contracted to stay for some sunset portraits) and I think she was hurt that she wasn't asked to shoot the wedding so maybe this is something of a unique situation.
I should add that the bride was barely aware of any of this. I simply kept shooting throughout the day and making sure she was happy with the schedule.
The ceremony goes off without a hitch and we keep moving.
Then comes time for family formals and I kid you not but I have 2 UNCLE BOBS! One of them who flat out told me where I needed to be shooting. The Maid of Honor is at this point trying to fully direct the post ceremony session of the bridal party with uber cheesy poses (which is not what the bride discussed wanting from me). So I do the thing where you give in a little and then redirect so you can keep everyone happy and still get your shots in. In the end I still got all the images on my shot list and it was a great learning experience but I've never dealt with such pushy subjects before. I've done several weddings already this season but this one takes the cake for the worst so far. I remember when I was portfolio building for my portrait business and dealing with the same thing, not being treated as a professional because you come cheap, or being exploited by the client because they are just looking for a "deal". I know this is probably not the worst horror story out there and a little more experience under my belt would have me shrugging these attitudes off, but at one point the Maid of Honor announced she was going to get her camera because she claimed I was leaving (which totally confused the bride because I was contracted to stay for some sunset portraits) and I think she was hurt that she wasn't asked to shoot the wedding so maybe this is something of a unique situation.
I should add that the bride was barely aware of any of this. I simply kept shooting throughout the day and making sure she was happy with the schedule.