CEASE and DESIST; Taking pictures at a small wedding and reception (Page 8): As a potential purchaser of your services, I have the greater right to tear up your contract and tell you...

Stephan G

sploppert wrote:

As a professional photographer I have in my contra... (show quote)

As a potential purchaser of your services, I have the greater right to tear up your contract and tell you to pack up and go.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

gwilliams6 wrote:

Yes I shoot weddings in a candid and fun photojournalistic style, but also include all classic posed shots. I do both. That seems to be what most couples want now, the fun stuff, even something really funny, but also the classic beautiful poses, closeups and detail shots. CLICK ON DOWNLOAD TO SEE THE TRUE COLORS AND RESOLUTION OF THIS SHOT. Cheers

Are those Keds? Hilarious!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

stuart416 wrote:

I photographed weddings for 15 years. I never had a problem with guests shooting candids for several of the reasons stated. Pros don't always have the time to shoot the candid types and the grandparents, etc. The only restrictions I had was no shooting over my shoulder during setups. This is where the money is and I didn't need people giving freebies of my posed pictures. It was my skill and lighting that made the difference. I didn't need Uncle Joe stealing my shots, but candids, be my guest!

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

The idea that we should punish the innocent for the wrongs of a few is part of our culture--not one I admire. So some people will ban all photographers (except the pro) because some guests may jump up at the wrong time and spoil one or a couple of shots or because the pro is insecure and wants complete control of someone else's event. Maybe there is an in-between. I love the idea of the disposable cameras.

I recently shot my niece's wedding as a guest not a pro. At the very beginning I approached the pro and asked her if it would bother her if I shot some pictures too. I asked how I could best stay out of her way and assured her I'd abide by any requests she may have. She seemed flattered that I'd take that approach and we got along great--I even got some great shots of her and her daughter shooting which I passed along but her shots were the official shots of the wedding and everyone was happy. If people work together often they can make things work for everyone and I must admit I'm always put off by these "my way or the highway" sort of situations.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

As a clergyman I ask (strongly!) that no flash cameras be used during the ceremony since that is most distracting. I add that we'll restage after the service for photos. The pros have always gone along with this and have never asked others to take no pictures. At the wedding of a niece, however, the photographer demanded (nastily) that no one else take pictures. The father of the groom came over to me and demanded same. Upset me.

C6Joe Loc: NorthWestern Nevada

gwilliams6 wrote:

Yes I shoot weddings in a candid and fun photojournalistic style, but also include all classic posed shots. I do both. That seems to be what most couples want now, the fun stuff, even something really funny, but also the classic beautiful poses, closeups and detail shots. CLICK ON DOWNLOAD TO SEE THE TRUE COLORS AND RESOLUTION OF THIS SHOT. Cheers

Love the blue tennies on the bride!

My DIL wore red tennies at her wedding!

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

rwww80a wrote:

I have been taking pictures for 50 years (started with a Nikkormat FTn) with candids at the many weddings I have attended through the years.

This was a first!

In the ceremony program there was a statement (printed in the middle of the first page of the program) about the "excellent" photographers the couple had hired and not to take cell phone pix and post during the ceremony. I had my Nikon 7200 and took some pix and went to the reception took a few more. The sister of the bride came up to me and said cease and desist, I tried to tell her that what I was doing was to make an album of candids for a gift for the happy couple which I have done many other times. I stopped, didn't want to make the bride unhappy. I even had the grandparents come up to me as ask me to shoot some portraits of them - which I declined to do at that point because I wasn't the "official" photog. It made me feel bad for them later because I never saw the official wedding photogs over on the side of the room where they were sitting away from the noise.
Later the mother of the groom came up to me and explained that the picture statement in the program was done at the photographers insistence because the photographers didn't want their time and photos "devalued" by amateurs at the wedding. THEY are the picture takers and no one else can shoot the wedding? First I've heard of that! I had even been trying to stay out of the pros way so I wouldn't get in their way or ruin their shots! By the way, on the next day there must have been at least 10 postings on Facebook of cell phone vids and photos from the wedding and reception.

Are the pros really that paranoid and insecure about their work AND that amateurs could possibly make their work look bad or not as good? The photogs didn't even have the b...s to ask me themselves?

Yes in the past I have had several couples or families say that the album I put together as a gift was better than the pro BUT I think that because they were family.

Any other experiences or opinions???

I have been taking pictures for 50 years (started ... (show quote)

While I agree with some of sentiment contained by the many pages of condemnations posted here and feel its wrong to ask people to not take pictures, I can also see where the photographer may be trying to not lose sales. I would not need them to make duplicate prints of shots if I had Aunt Maggie's cell phone pic that was 'good enough'. Why pay for something I can get for free ? Not saying this is a good reason to ask no photography be done but I wonder how much money is lost on pictures that are not being purchased outside of the package purchased.

Now it could also have been the 'in the moment shots' that could have been blocked by thoughtless cell phone shooters which prompted the ban but there could have been other limitations which would have helped take care of those issues. I imagine you could ask the photographer - you seem to be connected enough to the wedding that you could obtain the contact information for the photographer - why not ask rather than have everybody guess and condemn the guy ? I would be very interested in the response you get.

Maybe you have made contact and already received their response (have not gotten through every page of comments yet). Please share their response if you get it.

donrosshill Loc: Delaware & Florida

This is an interesting post. Having been a photographer for over 60+ years and having done more weddings than I can recall, I would like everyone to know that it simply does not just boil down to snapping the shutter. It starts with the Bride and Groom and a list of things they want, It spills over to the families of the Bride and Groom with their wishes. It requires in some cases what the Church will allow or not, what the Wedding venue is an provides to the couple. The photographer that they have hired has been voted by the couple for his/her style and ability to make the type of photos they want and are willing to pay for. The photographer has the responsibility to perform. It is his/her job to pick locations, watch out for posing, lighting, Gown details, suit details, crowd control. getting all the parents, grand parents, children, etc; in the right place at the right time and pose them all together, only to have several amateurs with phones and cameras take advantage of all the work and effort that the Photographer has been selected and paid to do.

As an example. When you have hired a Roofer to do your home, do you climb the latter and tell him what to do?
You hire a painter and then stand and watch his every brush stroke?
You hire a chef to make a special anniversary dinner and then start adding your on flavorings?

I think you get my point.

I am a professional photographer and would never even consider taking my camera to someone else wedding. It is a question of respect. I know that some will not agree with me and I will get lots of opinions, all I can say is "Swing Away"

Don

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

As an occasional wedding photographer for family, I have asked the minister in the church to please introduce the photographer/s and ask that no-one else among the guests obscure our view of the proceedings and also don't use flash. It has been respectfully announced and, to my knowledge, no guest has been offended. This way, when it's time to shoot photos after the ceremony, everyone knows who is the official photographer and then it's easy to say, "please let me shoot the photos the bride has requested and then you are free to shoot whatever you want." That has worked well for me. I would never demand a "me only" shoot.

rwww80a wrote:

I have been taking pictures for 50 years (started with a Nikkormat FTn) with candids at the many weddings I have attended through the years.

This was a first!

In the ceremony program there was a statement (printed in the middle of the first page of the program) about the "excellent" photographers the couple had hired and not to take cell phone pix and post during the ceremony. I had my Nikon 7200 and took some pix and went to the reception took a few more. The sister of the bride came up to me and said cease and desist, I tried to tell her that what I was doing was to make an album of candids for a gift for the happy couple which I have done many other times. I stopped, didn't want to make the bride unhappy. I even had the grandparents come up to me as ask me to shoot some portraits of them - which I declined to do at that point because I wasn't the "official" photog. It made me feel bad for them later because I never saw the official wedding photogs over on the side of the room where they were sitting away from the noise.
Later the mother of the groom came up to me and explained that the picture statement in the program was done at the photographers insistence because the photographers didn't want their time and photos "devalued" by amateurs at the wedding. THEY are the picture takers and no one else can shoot the wedding? First I've heard of that! I had even been trying to stay out of the pros way so I wouldn't get in their way or ruin their shots! By the way, on the next day there must have been at least 10 postings on Facebook of cell phone vids and photos from the wedding and reception.

Are the pros really that paranoid and insecure about their work AND that amateurs could possibly make their work look bad or not as good? The photogs didn't even have the b...s to ask me themselves?

Yes in the past I have had several couples or families say that the album I put together as a gift was better than the pro BUT I think that because they were family.

Any other experiences or opinions???

I have been taking pictures for 50 years (started ... (show quote)

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

rwww80a wrote:

I have been taking pictures for 50 years (started with a Nikkormat FTn) with candids at the many weddings I have attended through the years.

This was a first!

In the ceremony program there was a statement (printed in the middle of the first page of the program) about the "excellent" photographers the couple had hired and not to take cell phone pix and post during the ceremony. I had my Nikon 7200 and took some pix and went to the reception took a few more. The sister of the bride came up to me and said cease and desist, I tried to tell her that what I was doing was to make an album of candids for a gift for the happy couple which I have done many other times. I stopped, didn't want to make the bride unhappy. I even had the grandparents come up to me as ask me to shoot some portraits of them - which I declined to do at that point because I wasn't the "official" photog. It made me feel bad for them later because I never saw the official wedding photogs over on the side of the room where they were sitting away from the noise.
Later the mother of the groom came up to me and explained that the picture statement in the program was done at the photographers insistence because the photographers didn't want their time and photos "devalued" by amateurs at the wedding. THEY are the picture takers and no one else can shoot the wedding? First I've heard of that! I had even been trying to stay out of the pros way so I wouldn't get in their way or ruin their shots! By the way, on the next day there must have been at least 10 postings on Facebook of cell phone vids and photos from the wedding and reception.

Are the pros really that paranoid and insecure about their work AND that amateurs could possibly make their work look bad or not as good? The photogs didn't even have the b...s to ask me themselves?

Yes in the past I have had several couples or families say that the album I put together as a gift was better than the pro BUT I think that because they were family.

Any other experiences or opinions???

I have been taking pictures for 50 years (started ... (show quote)

NO! we are not paranoid. We are being disturbed while we work. Would you like someone poking over your shoulder at work every second you get started on a different part of a project? I think not. I find it very disconcerting and have to stop work until all the intruders get finished which holds me up from getting the bride and groom to the rest of the wedding. Tripping over other people is a problem that is real and very disturbing to the proper flow of work while photographing a wedding. Your little album means nothing to us as the bride and her father or groom hired us to do our job. You were asked nicely in writing to not bother us. Can you not read the notice and enjoy the event you were invited to while not bothering the hired help? Do you try to help the caterer or the cake cutter and baker? I think not so why bother another pro doing his job? If watching a flight performance of the Blue Angels do you get on a radio and try to be the air controller too? I think not. So why bother another pro doing his job when you were asked nicely not to bother the Pro? Do you realize after the wedding there are churches that turn off lights even when the photographer is not finished because you held up the Pro Photographer for the few minutes the church gave the Pro to shoot his/her group shots in? Yes the church will start tuning off lights when your time is up, been there had it done. The whole event is timed and set up between the Pro and the bride and groom and wedding party in order to get the whole event completed in time. When the Pro leaves as their job is completed then go bother the bride and groom with your requests. They already spent their money on an album as evidenced by the Pro being there in the first place.

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

donrosshill wrote:

This is an interesting post. Having been a photogr... (show quote)

Dannj

This post has drawn an unusually large number of comments so I went back and re-read the original post and I think it’s been misinterpreted. The post said “not to take cell phone pictures and post during the ceremony.” It doesn’t say anything about taking photos at any other time. This is a perfectly reasonable request and no one should have a problem with it.
The poster said it was the bride’s sister who told him to stop taking pictures at the reception. This is not reasonable and most likely not what the bride or photographer intended. Of course no one should interfere with the “official” photos but it’s unreasonable to ask people not to capture their own memories of the event. IMO, of course.

Bill P

I think it's a fine idea for this step to be taken. I'm sick of going to events and missing a good part of the action because of the forest of cell phones held up. People who do this are the same ones that talk on their phones in a theater.

Bill P

I think it's a fine idea for this step to be taken. I'm sick of going to events and missing a good part of the action because of the forest of cell phones held up. People who do this are the same ones that talk on their phones in a theater.

Bill P

I think it's a fine idea for this step to be taken. I'm sick of going to events and missing a good part of the action because of the forest of cell phones held up. People who do this are the same ones that talk on their phones in a theater.