gmb3 Loc: Coastal CenCal

I do believe yesterday was my last wedding. I'm tired of rude guest who MUST get THE shot at all costs.

I was hired to shoot an ethnic wedding due to the knowledge I have of the culture and customs as well as the quality of my photography.

It was a lot of iphones and ipads used by women in large hats. There where some males involved. I had set up a remote camera and some guy actually stood in front of it taking photos. The majority of these rude guests were Caucasians with little to no knowledge of the customs. They walked around the alter while the priest was praying and basically got in his face, much to his dismay. He tried to politely shoo them away. When gently confronted they were adamant that they get THE shot.

I actually handed the check back to the family and told them I was unable to get any meaningful shots of the ceremony due to guests blocking me. And to contact the guests for their photos. Even during my family photos, these pests were in the way continuously.

The family was very gracious and understanding. No bridezilla.

My last wedding. I believe I am relieved.

MilanA

It doesn't matter what you do for a living... If you're not happy doing it change the situation if you can afford it... or change the Job at the first practical opportunity. Sorry to hear your talents won't be available, but if your relieved it's a good thing.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

I shot weddings for 8~10 years. At first, I actually liked it, but by the end I swore I would never do another one - and I never did (despite several years of calls begging me to "do just one more for me")

cmcaroffino Loc: Sebring, FL

I too shot weddings for 10 years or so and dealing with rude people was part of the experience. Most of the weddings I enjoyed but others not so much. Glad I don't do it anymore.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Same for me.10 years. At least when I started they would stand behind me after I set up the image and click when they heard my Hasselblad click. They then got more aggressive and I would have to be polite and say excuse me, you are in my way to capture the image I need to get.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

When my son recently married, it was specified in the invitation that guests should enjoy the wedding and leave the photography to the hired professional. It worked. Out of ~160 guests, no one took a shot but the Pro and me. As the father of the groom, I asked the Pro if it would be acceptable to him if I did some shooting as long as I stayed out of his shots and didn't use a flash. He graciously agreed and even collaborated with me on technique and PP after the wedding. Worked out great for everyone involved, and my son, who teaches HS photography and graphics, developed a relationship with the Pro and may act as a second shooter in the future. A win-win because it was spelled out clearly from the beginning.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Unfortunately, uncivilized guests ruin it for the rest of us, for those of you paid to record the event, and for those of us who would like to make our own variant. I believe it should be possible for both you and us to get what we want, but I haven't seen many good examples of that.

rcirr Loc: Gilbert, Arizona

There are tough times in any job. I have had fingers poked into my chest, people screaming at me, been stabbed and had my equipment stolen (no, I don't make my living in photography). Bottom line...if you don't like the job, change jobs. I'm just curious about one thing. "The majority of these rude guests were Caucasians with little to no knowledge of the customs." Why did you say that? Did you keep count? Are you sure all the people you thought were Caucasian actually were Caucasian?

Speaking as a Caucasian myself (gasp!) who takes pictures at weddings where I'm not the official photographer, you might be creating some of the problems yourself. Most people....even us evil Caucasians......will usually be pretty cooperative if you treat them right. I do have experience in this since I have shot a few weddings as the official paid photographer. Some people liked my photographs from family weddings and wanted me to do their wedding photography. I had no problems at all even with iphones, etc.

One last thing...you handed them back their check? Told them to get pictures from guests? After the wedding was over? I have been told I should go into wedding photography. One of the biggest reasons I don't is I always worry I will miss an important shot. Something very important to the couple that was only there for the one day....and can never be recreated. But you just give them back their money and walk away? It's a good thing you are leaving the business. You don't have the temperament!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Yes, those guests at a wedding could be very annoying. I think you did the right thing.
I shot weddings during the film era and I also got tired of those that did not allow me to do my job.

Al Freeedman

As a wedding photographer for several years, I had very little problem getting the shot I wanted. At the time my girl friend (now my wife)
did a great job keeping people out of my way. seeing that the bride and bride's maids were all neat and in order; fixing gowns and ties etc.
She was great, (and was always more beautiful them the bride). People would listen to her. All that being said, I feel it's very important to have a helper, one who is great with people.

Captain AL

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

Not being a wedding photographer and looking from the other side of this I have been at a wedding or two when the photographer or videographer appears to ignore the fact that there are guests present and obscured the view at many points of proceedings in order for them to get the shots they want.

olsonsview

A lot of wedding photographers burn out on the job. I enjoyed the work for over 30 years. Often used assistants, up to two at a time, to keep the group shots moving, and amateur photographers in line. We always allowed amateur photographers their turn, if they were aggressive we would let them shoot before me, hey,why stress? Sometimes even took their camera and shot the picture for them so they could be in the picture! A few crazy incidents happened that made me decide that I no longer needed to shoot weddings for a living. I think the final one was when a couple changed the church to another location and never thought to make sure I knew about it. Talk about raising a sweat! But it is fun shooting weddings when you feel your creativity flowing: imagine getting paid to enjoy a lifelong hobby!

Dannj

I've attended many weddings and seen bad behavior on both sides from guests positioning themselves in front of the paid photographer to being shoved aside, literally, on the dance floor so the videographer could get a better angle.
I'm all for the pro being able to do their job but I don't think most guests are Intentionally disruptive. The event is important to them, they want to preserve it. Most of them will never see the pro's shots and they want their own.
So as several others have said, if you can't tolerate it, it's time to go. IMO, by giving the check back you're depriving the bride the benefits of your work because of the behavior of the guests.
PS: What does the Caucasian reference have to do with any of this?

ronz Loc: Florida

Shot weddings up north and didn't experience a disaster or the rudeness that has gotten much worse in recent years. Since being in the south I have raised my prices almost double and very choosy about who I select to shoot for. This has made a big difference. This will be my last year however shooting weddings, almost 30 years. I have found I love shooting for national magazines. They are picky but pay well and no static. Will stay with product shots also as they are mostly studio work and if outside studio the job is bigger but so is the pay day.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

At some of the weddings I've attended over the years the professional has fixed the "problem" by turning the wedding into his own little show. I particularly remember one where we were shooed out of the sanctuary after the ceremony so he could take pictures. I was disappointed because this largely isolated the new couple from their friends; they missed half the reception party, and we missed them. Ironically, a month later the groom called me, saying "This guy's pictures are very expensive; what do you have?" and I had to remind him how things were done. I have several pictures from the reception; my favorite is my wife and a friend preparing punch, with the photographer and his assistant between me and them, so the photography team appears to be the primary subject. In a sense they were, because in a sense the wedding was all about them.

At other weddings I try to stay out of their way. This doesn't have to be combat, but those who try to keep friends from taking pictures may not realize how much smart phones has become part of an experience for many, and how sadly some friends may remember the whole thing.