As a wedding shooter for most of my 44 years as a pro, I understand why the photographer had that statement put into the program. I cant tell you how many times a family member or zealous guest has stood up and/or blocked me from making that shot of a critical wedding or reception moment, from the first kiss, to walking down the aisle, to that first dance, and cutting the cake. As the official photographers we are getting paid to cover an event, and our clients, the bride and groom expect us as pros to make those shots and more. We can't come back to them later and say, oh sorry I dont have that moment (that will never happen again) because Aunt Ruth or Uncle Charley thought it would be neat to stand up in front of the photographer, or lean into the aisle with their cellphone, blocking the photographer.

I often shoot with a second shooter and also offer video, either by myself or with a dedicated video shooter. We take great pains to coordinate our coverage so everyone of our shooters can have a clear angle for coverage. We can not factor in anyone else who may wish to intrude as a shooter. I also put this statement out or make an announcement to the wedding guests. I also ask if there is anyone that would prefer NOT being in photos, so my crew can avoid taking their photo, that does occur at weddings.

It has nothing to do with any insecurities, but has to do with providing the best , most complete and excellent photos to the couple who has hired us to capture these once in a lifetime moments.. Put your camera and cellphones away, enjoy the wedding and let the hired pros do their jobs. You can get copies later of our excellent and unobstructed work. Cheers

As a professional photographer I have in my contract that I am to be the only photographer and if people get in my way I have the right to pack up and leave for breach of contract. I do this not because I'm afraid of others giving pictures to the bride & groom but because I have to work in a tight time frame and I have to get the pictures. I don't like people shooting over my shoulder or getting in my way. Let one person shoot opens the door for everyone with a camera shoot and I never will
get mine because time ran out. I shoot with multilabel lights that can be triggered by others flash and that ruins there shots and wastes my time and batteries. Also if they shoot at the same time as I do they ruin my shot. I'm not there to pose the couple for others to shoot I pose for the couple. I will let the guests take all the pictures they want after I am done. Usually the couple are tired of standing there or are told they have to leave, not my problem. I could care less how many people take pictures at the reception have fun but please stay out of my way.

At my cousin's wedding, there were times during the day when only the hired photographer was allowed to shoot. They actually shooed EVERYONE out during those periods. I understand that. It was a private session. The problem I see is that everyone wants wedding pictures. And unless your the mom and dad, you cannot get them! There were pictures of me with the bride and groom that I could never get copies of. The same thing happened at my friend's wedding. Perhaps if the hired photographer made images available to people other than the bride and groom, not so many people would take their own cameras!

It has nothing to do with competing at all. My wedding shooters and I always attend the wedding rehearsals, talk with all the participants and the officiate, and coordinate where we are allowed to set up and shoot from, and see when the specific moments will occur during the ceremony etc. that MUST not be missed. Also we go through timing for all the parts of the wedding, when we can possibly take the bride and groom away for additional private shootings ,sometimes at another nearby, more photogenic location. All the while trying to keep to the bride and groom's planned schedule for the pre-wedding preparations, the actual ceremony, any cocktail hour, then the reception which may be in a completely different location.

The Bride and groom, or their families ,are paying for these venues and they only have them for a certain limited and set time. So as the hired official photographers we have to work fast ,professionally , and efficiently, and manage our time available to shoot. Getting slowed down because everyone else of dozens of guests wants the same photo can totally mess up the time line. Reception halls, caterers, bands and more work to a strict, paid time schedule and the last thing anyone wants is for the hired photographers, or any other photographers to hold up everything and possibly cost the couple and their families more money. Most good wedding venues, reception halls and even churches schedule more than one wedding party in the same location on the same day (but a different time of the day). We have to work to a tight time schedule set by the bride and groom, and they expect us to make their day memorable, but not to disrupt the flow and all the good and fun vibes.

Hey I make a point to get along with all the family and wedding guests ,and to be as polite and friendly and helpful as I can be at all times. I want to capture all the happy smiling faces, the tears and hugs and kisses and funny and heartwarming moments, expected and unexpected. I do often offer advice to a guest shooter that has a technical question, even while in the middle of performing my duties, if at all possible. I just ask other invited guests and family to respect the bride and groom's wishes , and respect the photographers they have spent good money for, that have all the responsibility and pressure on them to get it all captured right, and create wonderful ,timeless images from all those once-in-lifetime moments. Cheers
One of my wedding websites:
https://www.wedding.com/wedding-vendors/nj/clayton/photographer/williams-photography/389416

As a wedding shooter for most of my 44 years as a pro, I understand why the photographer had that statement put into the program. I cant tell you how many times a family member or zealous guest has stood up and/or blocked me from making that shot of a critical wedding or reception moment, from the first kiss, to walking down the aisle, to that first dance, and cutting the cake. As the official photographers we are getting paid to cover an event, and our clients, the bride and groom expect us as pros to make those shots and more. We can't come back to them later and say, oh sorry I dont have that moment (that will never happen again) because Aunt Ruth or Uncle Charley thought it would be neat to stand up in front of the photographer, or lean into the aisle with their cellphone, blocking the photographer.

I often shoot with a second shooter and also offer video, either by myself or with a dedicated video shooter. We take great pains to coordinate our coverage so everyone of our shooters can have a clear angle for coverage. We can not factor in anyone else who may wish to intrude as a shooter. I also put this statement out or make an announcement to the wedding guests. I also ask if there is anyone that would prefer NOT being in photos, so my crew can avoid taking their photo, that does occur at weddings.

It has nothing to do with any insecurities, but has to do with providing the best , most complete and excellent photos to the couple who has hired us to capture these once in a lifetime moments.. Put your camera and cellphones away, enjoy the wedding and let the hired pros do their jobs. You can get copies later of our excellent and unobstructed work. Cheers