Wedding photographers can be inconsiderate
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Some wedding photographers can be a right pain in the backside and quite inconsiderate. It is all very well to take the photos and then publish them online. I suppose it means that anyone who wishes can have their own copy of the photos – at a price of course. |
The problem I have with this is when the official wedding photographer doesn’t provide an adequate opportunity for friends and family to take some photos. This means that no one else is able to capture the wedding party in a pose from the front. Instead we have to make do with awkward shots taken from the side and the subjects are invariable looking somewhere else. Not exactly a Kodak moment and definitely not wedding album material. |
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I have been to weddings in the past where this has happened and it occurred again quite recently at a family wedding I attended. The wedding photographers in this case were often quite abrupt and impatient whenever you were in “their spot.” Occasionally when I did find a good position, all I ended up with was a rear end in the frame as the official wedding photographers paid no heed to the fact that I was in the middle of taking a photo. This made it absolutely impossible to get a decent photo of the main groups of the wedding party and I had to be content with whatever I could snap regardless of where everyone was looking at the time. As it happens, we’ve had a chance to have a look at the photos they took online and for the amount of time that was taken composing each shot; one can only hazard a guess at why some of the poorly framed subjects ended up on the website! It does make you wonder though, whether or not keeping all the other cameras away is a conscious premeditative act so that they may reap the profits of selling the ‘good photos’ later on through their website. I will offer them the benefit of the doubt in this case, because I know there are certainly some photographers who allow the amateurs an opportunity to record the event. Maybe this isn’t as common as I think, but I would be interested to hear if this has happened to anyone else. |
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Which is why I said "to a reasonable degree".
What is "reasonable" is, of course open, to interpretation but if the photographer is a ski11ed tradesman and not an amateur posing as one then, with experience and tact it should be possible to achieve a satisfactory compromise and still provide the service.
What is "reasonable" is, of course open, to interpretation but if the photographer is a ski11ed tradesman and not an amateur posing as one then, with experience and tact it should be possible to achieve a satisfactory compromise and still provide the service.
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I was a wedding photographer for a good many years and this works both ways. All photographers appreciate that the guests at a wedding want to take their own photographs but you are there to do a job and it is expected that you will do that job in a professional manner and turn out professional results - especially in these litigious times. I've lost count of the many times I have set up groups etc. only to have someone wander in front of me and prevent me from working. Most photographers will allow pauses for people to take their own pictures but at the end of the day its the couple or their family who have paid for my services and expect me to perform. The question of hogging all the best shots doesn't come into it.
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Manx Hound..... you wrote "the ability to accommodate - to a reasonable degree - guests wishing to record their own personal memories of the event is paramount."
Sorry but I cannot agree with that. What is paramount is for the photographer to provide the bride and groom with the best possible photographs of their special day. Couples today would be quick to moan about poor photos and it is the responsibility of the guests to allow the photographer to do their job to the best of their ability for the couple that are paying them. The guests are way down the picking order in that respect.
A good photographer will accommodate the guests as well but they have to let him/her get the official shots first.
Sorry but I cannot agree with that. What is paramount is for the photographer to provide the bride and groom with the best possible photographs of their special day. Couples today would be quick to moan about poor photos and it is the responsibility of the guests to allow the photographer to do their job to the best of their ability for the couple that are paying them. The guests are way down the picking order in that respect.
A good photographer will accommodate the guests as well but they have to let him/her get the official shots first.
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Pearl Boutique (Westfield centre, derby) ruined my wedding dress shopping experience. They claim to offer "haute couture" but the only thing "haute" in this shop is their rude manners. They use high pressure selling techniques, they have zero customer manners (phone or face-to-face) they treated me as a liar when I said I had left a message to call me and said I didn't call the right number (when I called they checked my reference number in their system and told me they would call. When I asked them why nobody had called me in three hours they they claimed nobody had called!)
After all this, and after being delivered the dress over one month late (with no explanation whatsover), the dress is not the right size and I will need to find somewhere else to fix it. The complete incompetence and unprofessional ism received from Pearl Boutique can only inspire a: please girls do not ever attempt to enter that shop!
After all this, and after being delivered the dress over one month late (with no explanation whatsover), the dress is not the right size and I will need to find somewhere else to fix it. The complete incompetence and unprofessional ism received from Pearl Boutique can only inspire a: please girls do not ever attempt to enter that shop!
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The wedding photographer is a tradesman like any other and should, given a fair opportunity, provide the best service he can however unlike most tradesmen he is operating in a unique social environment therefore the ability to accommodate - to a reasonable degree - guests wishing to record their own personal memories of the event is paramount.
A boorish domineering photographer who bullies and intimidates the guests in order to undertake his work is often as irritating to the bride and groom as one who meekly steps aside, unable to organise, pose and compose to obtain the best result.
I cannot accept the previous opinion that "And as they own the copyrights they don’t have to let anyone take photos of there poses" because it is the recorded image that is copyright not the pose however I do agree with other commentators in that even the best equipment is less important than skill, talent, knowledge and experience.
The best photographer is firm but tactful and always aware of his responsibilities to his customer(s).
A boorish domineering photographer who bullies and intimidates the guests in order to undertake his work is often as irritating to the bride and groom as one who meekly steps aside, unable to organise, pose and compose to obtain the best result.
I cannot accept the previous opinion that "And as they own the copyrights they don’t have to let anyone take photos of there poses" because it is the recorded image that is copyright not the pose however I do agree with other commentators in that even the best equipment is less important than skill, talent, knowledge and experience.
The best photographer is firm but tactful and always aware of his responsibilities to his customer(s).
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It is not the camera that capturers that once in a lifetime wedding photo it’s the pro behind the camera.
And as they own the copyrights they don’t have to let anyone take photos of there poses.
But most photographers will make time for guests to take there snapshots.
A professional wedding photographer works tirelessly to get those once in a lifetime photos and it seems to me that they are much unappreciated to
And as they own the copyrights they don’t have to let anyone take photos of there poses.
But most photographers will make time for guests to take there snapshots.
A professional wedding photographer works tirelessly to get those once in a lifetime photos and it seems to me that they are much unappreciated to
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get it right - 24-Nov-09 23:44
I've got to agree with most of MikeP's points here. Often the equipment is much better than the amateur but what really sets it aside is that the person using it is an expert and would probably get better results with a point and shoot compact than most people would with a £10k camera. These people are professionals yet for some reason people think it is acceptable to disrupt their work and muscle in. These people are recording for posterity the most important day of many people lives. How would you feel if you got inferior wedding photos because the official photographer was unable to do their work unhindered. I bet you'd all be pretty annoyed. Let the photographer do their job and then take your happy snaps afterwards. Is that really too much to ask.
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I am a wedding photographer....and a very patient and kind one, at that.
What do you do for a living?...How would you feel if you had a very important report to complete for your boss?...How would you feel if somebody walked-in, off the street, entered your cubicle without permission, bumped you from your chair, sat down at your computer and began chatting online with a friend, while you had an important deadline to meet? And a big "P.S." to that: While we are working our tails off, to provide a quality product, it is--after all-- what puts food in my children's mouth, just like you. So, if you are insulted that we expect to get paid for our hard work, perhaps next time you should think about being a wedding photographer and learn to appreciate how interesting and challenging it is to deal with rude people like you, in a dellicate way, without upsetting the bride and groom (our bosses), on their memorable day. Hope this put your question into perspective?
What do you do for a living?...How would you feel if you had a very important report to complete for your boss?...How would you feel if somebody walked-in, off the street, entered your cubicle without permission, bumped you from your chair, sat down at your computer and began chatting online with a friend, while you had an important deadline to meet? And a big "P.S." to that: While we are working our tails off, to provide a quality product, it is--after all-- what puts food in my children's mouth, just like you. So, if you are insulted that we expect to get paid for our hard work, perhaps next time you should think about being a wedding photographer and learn to appreciate how interesting and challenging it is to deal with rude people like you, in a dellicate way, without upsetting the bride and groom (our bosses), on their memorable day. Hope this put your question into perspective?
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Mike
Three points, firstly most wedding photography these days is reportage so the posing is minimal - and that could be done just as well if not better by a portrait photographer.
Secondly the last three wedding photographers I've worked with have been using Nikon D200 cameras - the same as my wife has for her hobby and FWIW in which the imaging device is the same as in the Sony Alphas 100 at £300.
Long gone are the days when pros used gear that cost as much as mine - and I still have to invest in three identical cameras plus all the rest.
Finally, since they started using digital cameras, most wedding photographers click away like rank amateurs - presumably on the basis that at least one snap will be saleable. They're noisy and intrusive and generally bad mannered; hardly surprising the mood of Vicars and Registrars is turning against them.
Three points, firstly most wedding photography these days is reportage so the posing is minimal - and that could be done just as well if not better by a portrait photographer.
Secondly the last three wedding photographers I've worked with have been using Nikon D200 cameras - the same as my wife has for her hobby and FWIW in which the imaging device is the same as in the Sony Alphas 100 at £300.
Long gone are the days when pros used gear that cost as much as mine - and I still have to invest in three identical cameras plus all the rest.
Finally, since they started using digital cameras, most wedding photographers click away like rank amateurs - presumably on the basis that at least one snap will be saleable. They're noisy and intrusive and generally bad mannered; hardly surprising the mood of Vicars and Registrars is turning against them.
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flip1943, there is some validity in your statement that modern digital technology makes the technical side of photography easier for an amateur in that focus and exposure are taken care of up to a point, but that point is pretty low in comparison to what a professional needs to do in order to ensure correct light and colour balance, depth of field, and above all composition and poses.
The equipment used by the professional is generally capable of far better results than that used by even enthusiastic and knowledgeable amateurs, and unless you are happy with mediocrity, you will find that there is in reality a huge difference between amateur and professional work.
If a pro sets up a pose and others muscle in on that, yes, they are in a sense taking food off his table. It may not be theft in the real sense but it is incredibly selfish and bad manners.
The equipment used by the professional is generally capable of far better results than that used by even enthusiastic and knowledgeable amateurs, and unless you are happy with mediocrity, you will find that there is in reality a huge difference between amateur and professional work.
If a pro sets up a pose and others muscle in on that, yes, they are in a sense taking food off his table. It may not be theft in the real sense but it is incredibly selfish and bad manners.
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I strongly believe the traditional wedding photographer has passed his sell-by date. Modern digital cameras take pictures that are properly exposed and sharply focussed. No wonder the number of houses springing up that take the guests' pictures and photoshop; them into beautiful and very personal albums. For almost every otheraspect of the photographer's work the video does it better ie with sound and motion. We can even supply still frames from our High Definition original tape for inclusion in an album collage.
The only thing the professional photographer does that no-one else can is the wedding portrait and we're actively encouraging our clients to choose a portrait photographer who'll do their job on site for £100-£250 and give the bridal couple at least an extra hour with their guests.
Stills photographers would do well to worry when they see the number of couples who put throw away cameras on every table - doesn't that tell them that the clients are happy with what they're charging £1500-£4000 for?
Finally, to those who've already posted complaints about people stealing the bread from their mouths, may I suggest that if you're concerned that the guest working over your shoulder might take as good a picture as you, perhaps you ought to be seeking a different line of work.
The only thing the professional photographer does that no-one else can is the wedding portrait and we're actively encouraging our clients to choose a portrait photographer who'll do their job on site for £100-£250 and give the bridal couple at least an extra hour with their guests.
Stills photographers would do well to worry when they see the number of couples who put throw away cameras on every table - doesn't that tell them that the clients are happy with what they're charging £1500-£4000 for?
Finally, to those who've already posted complaints about people stealing the bread from their mouths, may I suggest that if you're concerned that the guest working over your shoulder might take as good a picture as you, perhaps you ought to be seeking a different line of work.
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I am a wedding photograher and personally I have no problem with amateurs taking pictures at events, but I am paid by the bride and groom to "get the shot" and my family depends upon that paycheck. In order to do this I have to be in the perfect position everytime and unfortunatly this sometimes puts me in conflict with guests who are amateur photographers. The pictures are not about me or the guests but about what the bride and groom want (it is there day after all).
In my case it has nothing to do with selling more pictures as I operate only on a fee for services structure and I give the couple all of the images (when shooting film I give the negatives) but is about doing my job. Think of it this way, how would you feel if an amateur was interfering with your ability to do your job and hence get future contracts?
Note: I always ask people to move nicely before I step in front of them put if they don't / won't move I will do what it takes to get my shot.
In my case it has nothing to do with selling more pictures as I operate only on a fee for services structure and I give the couple all of the images (when shooting film I give the negatives) but is about doing my job. Think of it this way, how would you feel if an amateur was interfering with your ability to do your job and hence get future contracts?
Note: I always ask people to move nicely before I step in front of them put if they don't / won't move I will do what it takes to get my shot.
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As a photographer I feel that When some one takes photos over my shoulder that person is taking food off of my table.
Would an attorney let some one copy his work. I think not, people seem to think they need to bring a camera to a wedding.
The bride and groom have hired a professional photographer to do a job,and the persons at the wedding should have enough respect for the bride and groom not to interfere with the professional photographer's job.
Would an attorney let some one copy his work. I think not, people seem to think they need to bring a camera to a wedding.
The bride and groom have hired a professional photographer to do a job,and the persons at the wedding should have enough respect for the bride and groom not to interfere with the professional photographer's job.
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a friendly photographer - 19-Apr-08 05:49
I have to agree as a wedding photographer myself, that the guests should not get in the way of the photographer when he is working. If the photographer is kind enough to let you take a few shots of the formals then be grateful. It is not like you can't take hundreds of the bride and groom at the wedding breakfast?
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The photographer we hired to shoot our wedding was contracted for the whole occasion - from getting ready to leaving the reception. We paid an arm and a leg for it. The photographer missed the pre-wedding stuff for no reason given, took maybe 10 pictures of the ceremony, a ton of wedding guests at the reception but not one of me and my groom together during, and he 'got sick' and left without a replacement before the cake was cut. They gave me the photos on a CD that was actually in DVD format (so they cannot be printed off) in time for our one year anniversary (after me contacting them almost weekly) and there is only one photo that I would be proud to show people, but it is blurry. I had my mother go to the corner shop and buy out the film! If it weren't for the guest's photographs I wouldn't have a wedding photo at all. I have been refused a refund because the service was provided and they won't give me a printed copy of an official photo. I saw portfolios and everything before I booked but it turns out they used a contract photographer because they were overbooked for the weekend. Talk about inconsiderate!
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Unphotographed Bride - 31-Oct-07 12:00
You know, our job as photographers is hard enough without having to deal with incosiderate SOB's like you! who on earth do you think you are? this may be a complete shocka nd surprise to you but there IS a reason that couple PAY us to come out to their weddings, it's so that WE can get the PERFECT SHOT's for THEM. frankly, when I'm shooting a wedding I couldn't care less if someone like you get's 1000 shots of my ass! my job is to get the couple great pictures regardless... your job is to shut up, stay out of the way, and witness (notice witnessing is a passive act) the wedding... when someone pay's you, you can get your ass in other peoples shots.
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As a wedding photogarpher, I have a job to do. The happy couple placed their trust in me to document their special day. Who are you to question their judgement? Can you really be that arrogant? If you don't like the cake, are you going duck out of the reception to go bake another wedding cake? All that you are doing is making the photographer's job more difficult. If I followed you to work and interfered with you at every turn, you'd be a bit pissed off too. Don't you think that if they wanted you to photograph their wedding instead of me, they'd have asked you and not bothered with me?
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There's nothing like standing the issue on it's head, ie as in the title Inconsiderate Wedding Photographers. It's the Inconsiderate nature of the Guest more like! You, the guest, should be letting the photographer get on with his job. If the photographer needs to move or re-arrange the pose, he's entitled to do this and doesn't have to wait for guests to get their "act " together. Your lack of consideration as a guest will almost certainly contribute to ruining the bride's day, because the photographer may have to rush to get the job done. It is her day not yours
This griper is obviously the sort of person who thinks the world revolves around them. Don't suppose it even occurred to you that it's YOU who's the oaf, barging your way round someone else's wedding? I think you should count yourself lucky that you've even been invited, they must know what you're like.
This griper is obviously the sort of person who thinks the world revolves around them. Don't suppose it even occurred to you that it's YOU who's the oaf, barging your way round someone else's wedding? I think you should count yourself lucky that you've even been invited, they must know what you're like.
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I'm sorry you're so jaded and unhappy that you needed to make rude comments about my daughter's marriage. My husband and I have been married 28 years. My daughter and her husband dated many years and their relationship has survived many hard times that life has handed them and they have never lost sight of each other. I hope you can change your attitude so that you don't use statistics to hurt others and keep people at a distance. Now, as for photographers, again, guests should be guests and photographers should be photographers.
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mother of the bride - 26-Jun-07 02:08
It doesn't matter, you'll get the next lot because they'll probably be divorced and re-married again inside of three years. Marriage doesn't last these days.
Can see your point and there are wannabe pros out there , but like someone said earlier, some wedding photographers are right drama queens. A good photographer should be able to take control of the situation and keep everyone happy. He'll get the good shots for the paying customers and still find time to let some guests take a few snaps. Not everyone at the wedding is going to get a chance to see "the wedding album" and most people don't want to jump in front of the wedding photographer. Just a couple of shots from the sidelines would be good
Can see your point and there are wannabe pros out there , but like someone said earlier, some wedding photographers are right drama queens. A good photographer should be able to take control of the situation and keep everyone happy. He'll get the good shots for the paying customers and still find time to let some guests take a few snaps. Not everyone at the wedding is going to get a chance to see "the wedding album" and most people don't want to jump in front of the wedding photographer. Just a couple of shots from the sidelines would be good
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