wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

yup, just doing what she was paid to do - get the best images possible.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Just another set of reasons to stay away!

JaiGieEse Loc: Foxworth, MS

Wifey and I were married at a lovely little wedding chapel in Pigeon Forge, TN. The package we bought covered everything, including the photographer. We were given several options as to purchasing photos and prints. We chose to have a few 8x10's printed, and had a small photo book made up, and then we opted to buy a DVD containing all the shots taken (no flubs included). I printed the images (4x6) from the DVD to make our wedding album. Oh, and there was a reception. The chapel set up the reception, at a nearby restaurant, but the chapel photographer did attend. We had a capable friend take pix of the cake cutting, toast, etc. During the wedding ceremony, no others took pix. There were a number of signs posted n conspicuous places, stating that no one but the official shooter was allowed to take pix during and just after the ceremony - inside the chapel. However, we were taken outside (afternoon wedding) after the ceremony to several rather nice little spots the chapel had set up, and at those, the official photog took many more shots. Guests were told they could take pix outdoors, so long as they kept clear of the official shooter. Everyone did. Oh, and the package also included a video, which was captured by several wall-mounted cameras, and edited by a person at a TV-style control board. Interesting note was that the chapel streamed a live feed of the wedding on the internet, via a link that we were given, and which we made available to friends and family who couldn't make the journey to Pigeon Forge. It was a near-flawless day. Frankly, anyone who'd be so rude as to hinder a professional hired to document the affair, especially those who respond rudely when asked to step aside by the pro, are not the sort of folks I'd want at my wedding. Contract or not, for most of us, a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime affair, and I'd personally retaliate against anyone whose actions threatened to ruin the documentation of our very special day. There is no option save to respect the wishes of the couple. If they say no non-hired shooters, then everyone needs to respect that or leave.

beach guy

Many years ago I was at my daughters friends wedding, and the official photographer came up to me, I was holding a Canon EOS and a 24-70 lens, and said to I see your think you are a professional photographer, then said to me, please put your gear away and let me do my job. I told her that I had taken more than a 100 weddings. I also told her that I my professional career, I had never ask another photographer, to put there gear away. Soon after I quit shooting weddings , because It was all the new young photographers and video crews, got and I moved on. Haven't shot a wedding in 20 years.

Alb Loc: Lehigh Valley area, Pennsylvania

I hesitate to write, but as the veteran of approximately 400 weddings (as the officiant), I'll put in my two cents from a different perspective. I've worked with mostly great and respectful photographers. I always confer with the photographer before the wedding, going over ground rules (the rules the governing board of the congregation sets up - not mine). Of course, I'm always curious to see what they are shooting with. I allow a lot of latitude, but do ask the photographers to follow the rules and regulations (because *I* am the one who will be ultimately responsible). I am fairly laid back, but have spoken up on two occasions that I remember. One was a photographer who set up multiple lights and reflecting umbrellas (right word?), in the Altar area before the ceremony and was pissed off at me when I told him he had to take them down. The other time was during a wedding when I looked up after a prayer, and a woman was standing on the pew cushion (in high heels, btw) in the third row in order to take a photo. I looked at her, she looked at me, and finally I said, "please be seated," and she sat down. Other than those two incidents, it has always been a pleasure to work with the photographer and I've made some good friendships over the years. But I have to confess that it's a task I would not want to take on myself.

Impressionist

Non issue as long as one is paid for services rendered.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

zigipha Loc: north nj

No it does not, but the guests are there at the invitation of the bride/groom, who can put conditions on attending.

The right way would have been to put this in the invite, but most likely the photographer got selected after the invitation went out.

The BG should have made the announcement, not the photographer.

All should have realized this is a dumb request.

How is the photographers revenue reduced if others take pics?

CWW Loc: North Jersey

The really good wedding photographers are pleasant in their request to hold off taking pictures while they are working. Many times I've witnessed them smiling and requesting the hold off, especially group family photos. They then asked the family to hold the pose so the non professionals could get a decent shot. Never a demand that would cast a negative pall on the event. Understanding human nature is the protocol of a professional who will be remembered and recommended for future weddings.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

When the unauthorized shooters get in the way of the photographer who is under contract to get the shots. There will be a court battle for sure, but bottom line if the photographer doesn't provide what he/she as agreed to for whatever reason, and there is no clear language in the contract with the BG that forbids any interference from guests, then the photographer may lose revenue.

2Dragons Loc: The Back of Beyond

Were I the bride I would not sign a contract forbidding my guests to take pictures. Some folks travel great distances and incur a great deal of expense to go to a relative's or friend's wedding, and would like to have pictures to treasure in ensuing years, and being held hostage to having to PAY for copies of a professional photographer's prints, especially if they are not of particular people they'd like to see in the pictures, is not acceptable. Just the answer from my view point as a guest. Just one more regulation to add to the mounting number of needless, life hobbling, litigious vexations.

BebuLamar

Actually in my own wedding I didn't forbid taking pictures but I prefered not having any pictures.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Least we not forget, it's not your day as a guest but the Brides day. She or her mother are usually paying the bills and if contracted to provide a service to them I always did more then they expected. Talking about traveling a long distance for a wedding, well we traveled to Europe to photograph several weddings. Besides a language difference there was also different customs associated with weddings, but for some reason there wasn't ever a large contingent of amateur photographers to contend with. I never had a problem with pictures at the reception. As has previously has been pointed out I too learned to work very closely with the DJ and the video people and between the three of us we got it done!

Bill Wilcox

I was a wedding photographer for 40 years and up until about 15 years ago I had no problem with other (with cameras) not taking photos while AI was working. However, with the onset of digital cameras etc., etc., I started having many problems with others with these camerasl at weddings. I attempted to be very polite when asking them to PLEASE do not take photos while I was working. . .to no avail! So, I simply stopped photographing weddings!
Bill Wilcox

Pkfish Loc: Wilson Wy

I've never taken shots during the the ceremony. It seems rude to do so as an attendy. It also seems rude to shoot a flash around the " pro". I have shot a bunch with out a flash at the reception etc. But only after I have talked to the "pro" and the bride and groom. I always give them the card as a gift afterwards as a wedding present and let them know if they want prints to let me know. It would be easy to say "please no shots during the ceremony " and no flash around the "pro". Glad I don't shoot weddings for a living,seems like a tough job