A wedding Ceremony: I ask this question; is it proper for a hired Wedding Photographer to be jumping up and down from their seat in the 5th row, taking flash photos, then going to the...

Silverman Loc: Michigan

I ask this question; is it proper for a hired Wedding Photographer to be jumping up and down from their seat in the 5th row, taking flash photos, then going to the rear, back to their seat, etc, during the actual Wedding ceremony? As a guest, I found it disturbing, rude, distracting. What is the proper Photography edicate during a wedding ceremony?

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I wouldn't think so..

dreamon

This is the one time a photographer should go stealth. A second photographer should have been in the second position. Perhaps, there was an assistant who didn't show up. Was he/she going solo? That might explain the gaff.

Dannj

This sounds like the way an overly zealous guest would behave. "Hired" doesn't always equate to "professional." My guess is it may have been a friend or relative who was asked to take on the job.
Side story: several years ago a friend, knowing my interest in photography, asked me to shoot her wedding. I agreed only after she agreed not to hold me accountable for the results...weddings were not in my bag of tricks. After the service the priest asked me for my card. He was so pleased with my behavior during the ceremony he wanted to recommend me to future brides. Moral: amateur or professional, know where you are and conduct yourself accordingly.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Silverman wrote:

I ask this question; is it proper for a hired Wedding Photographer to be jumping up and down from their seat in the 5th row, taking flash photos, then going to the rear, back to their seat, etc, during the actual Wedding ceremony? As a guest, I found it disturbing, rude, distracting. What is the proper Photography edicate during a wedding ceremony?

Absolutely not proper etiquette, not just for the photographer but for anyone at a wedding ceremony, funeral service, bar mitzvah, you name it....
The photographer should not be seen! Or at least as little as possible.

My Dad photographed more weddings and other ceremonies than I care to remember. He always made it a point to have a chat with the clergyman or civil official to introduce himself, to see the space he had to work with, and to find the "house rules" for photography. If no photography was allowed during the ceremony, he always tried to arrange for time right after the ceremony to have the couple pose for a second set of photos "up front"...

donrosshill Loc: Delaware & Florida

I photographed weddings for over 15 years (Before digital). # 1, Each Church has it's own rules. It is always advisable to ask before the actual ceremony. It is always best to ask the Bride before so that no rules are broken and no one becomes upset. Remember that you are being paid to do a job. In todays world of digital it is usually best to shoot from points that are not obtrusive. Try to become as much of a Ghost as possible. I just attended a wedding in Cape Cod NJ last week. There were 3 still photographers and 1 movie photographer on the job. Unless you were really looking for them they were not obvious. A job well done.
I used a 4x5 speed graphic, film holders, electronic flash, an extra light on a stand. 1 roll of color film in my Blad. Easy today, not so easy in the past.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

Why was this knucklehead in a seat to begin with? In all my years as a wedding photographer the only time I was in a seat was at the very beginning when the bride was coming down the aisle then I discreetly stepped out and on one knee took the money shot. Once she was at the front I made my way to the back and looked for background shots till the rings and signing. Sliding up the center aisle, take the shot and disappear again. I mean really, how many shots of the backs of peoples head does one need?

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Was this wedding in a church?? Usually the Minister/Priest will dictate what the photographer can do and where he can be during the ceremony.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Flash ?? !! During the ceremony? That pretty much says everything ....

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

I was at my Granddaughter's sweet sixteen. They hired a professional photographer to capture the event. I was right behind her taking my shots as well. She turned around and said to me "are you going to shadow me all day" I thought it was quite rude the way she said it. She claimed that my flash is interfering with her flash. I have one question. When photographers are covering a red carpet event, you see 30 to 40 photographers snapping away with their flashes. Are all those photos not going to come out good. I doubt it.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

fourg1b2006 wrote:

I was at my Granddaughter's sweet sixteen. They hi... (show quote)

I wonder how you would feel if someone came to your office and copied your work and then claimed it to be theirs. Give your head a shake and do your own posing and shooting.

BebuLamar

Is it OK for me to photograph the photographer?

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Silverman wrote:

I ask this question; is it proper for a hired Wedding Photographer to be jumping up and down from their seat in the 5th row, taking flash photos, then going to the rear, back to their seat, etc, during the actual Wedding ceremony? As a guest, I found it disturbing, rude, distracting. What is the proper Photography edicate during a wedding ceremony?

The proper etiquette is whatever the photographer and those that hired him, and sometimes the minister, agreed upon.
He needs to get the shots he/she were paid to get.
It's the Brides day, NOT yours!!!
Talk to the bride, not us, we didn't hire him.
Being a little self-serving and selfish aren't you??
Sometimes a photographer can be invisible, sometimes not!!!
It's all about getting the goods...., NOT YOU!!! MYOB

SS

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

The only wedding I shot, I was told by the Bride I would be allowed to shoot from anyplace I wanted. The Priest also agreed. It is her day not yours.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

fourg1b2006 wrote:

I was at my Granddaughter's sweet sixteen. They hi... (show quote)

The biggest problem with you or some other guest snapping shots around the photographer is that you are a big distraction. The photographer is trying to catch great expressions and pose the people for that purpose. There are probably some group shots with everyone looking at the photographers camera and one or more looking at you. As for the red carpet I am sure many do not come out good, that is why the cameras are constantly firing.