seaside7

Pompous reactions like this are exactly why so many professional photographers are loosing business.
Talk about "Word of mouth" do you think any of their friends-friends of friends- acquaintances etc would every hire you after that kind of behavior? You don't really think their reaction would be, "Wow what a great photographer and wonderful to work with, he was so right hold to his contract "
Nope. the reaction would be--"What an insecure jackass-- bet his photos sucked"[/quote]

It's people like you with your comments that make it hard for a professional photographer to earn a living.
We have contracts for a reason, and when you brake the contract you pay one way or another. A DJ is not the hired photog.and has a hell of a nerve passing out his cards with photos of the wedding you were paid to do. I find the Me generation lacking in respect for others doing their job. I feel sorry for all the real professional photogs out their. After 35 years and more than 1100 weddings under my belt, I'm glad I'm retired and don't have to deal with the ME generation.

robertperry Loc: Sacramento, Ca.

I agree with you Dria, it's not your day, it belongs to the B&G. Feel privileged they chose you as their official photographer. Do your duties and capture their day. I the B&G want others photographing or video taping their day, they have that right, it's their day. Back in the film days, I photographed weddings. I was trained by professionals that I control what the B&G can and can't do photographically. I soon realized this attitude was wrong. It's their day. I also encouraged them to have a videographer record their day after realizing several brides would hold their photo album and watch the video at the same time and comment, " That's the moment you took this picture". Learn to work with others that are paid to do a job for the B&G. As a group of paid professionals ( photographers, video, DJ, caterer, etc) all should work together to create a very special day for the couple. Contract violations, arguing, leaving, is NOT a memory the B&G should have on their special day.

nivek340 Loc: South Hadley Ma.

i disagree lying is cheating yourself.

nivek340 Loc: South Hadley Ma.

there are companies doing multi fasted business. dj, photo, and video taping. sounds like advertising for there business to me.

nivek340 Loc: South Hadley Ma.

the ego of a photog is bruised very easily.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

People! WE have a great plot for a comedy movie here!! A "War of the Roses" escalation! Sound truck in the street blaring sound, salt dumped in the food, camera zapping high voltage, weed killer sprayed on the boquets... Spielberg where are you for a collaboration with Woody. Coming to a movie in your neighborhood soon.

People standards are ever on the decline, by the time the "Flip-Flop, Hi-Five, Hug" generation gets married they will be their own DJs, Do their own Photos, Cater by Pot-Luck, and buy their flowers at the Super-Market. Perhaps Walmart will have a Wedding-Planning cubical like they do for eye-glasses.

Do you remember when there was a Photo Studio in your town, now baby photographers are hired by a company and quickly trained, then move on to the next location. Flowers were at Florests, now in coolers at the Super Market; soon there will be a Wedding Music Satellite Radio station and equipment rental to replace the DJ.

The times are a changin, and we do not know what to do, Bob Dylan's advice is to get out of the doorway. Form partnerships with DJs? Who knows.. but with grandma having a super zoom with 16 mpix and the 12 year old having slide show software, good printers for $100, the pro is fading like low cost jet ink. Indeed the times are a changin... be creative and non-reactionary ... know when to hold - know when to fold.

Dria Loc: Ohio

I am not saying the DJ was right--they weren't but it wouldn't be right for the photographer to make scene walking out either.
From what I have ween the photographers are paid UP FRONT for their time- then they make money of selling the prints from their shoot-- maybe I missed it but it didn't sound like the DJ was selling his pics of the wedding--just showing the fun of the day.
As far as the ME generation--thanks! but I am older than that!! HOWEVER on someones wedding day the B&G are the "ME" not matter their age.
This summer I went to 2 family weddings- the 1st was very high end and so was their photographer-- I only took a few pics--- the high end pompous guy missed a lot of important ( to the grooms mom) shots ---wish I had taken more shots.
The 2nd one-- new photographer--wonderful job. It was my nephew-- I took more shots (since I am involved in photography I stayed out of the main photographers way--I didn't want to mess up any of his posed shots-- I knew he would have them for me to purchase) BUT the shots I took-- glad I did-- he didn't catch the emotion of certain things that I did-- how could he--he isn't family to know the "inside" story.
Weddings-- ALL ABOUT the Bride and Groom-- period--- NO room for high handed pompous antics by any of the professionals hired to do a job. Photographers included--you are paid to do a job- Again I stress-- word of mouth and with the power of the internet behind it be calm--be nice--- talk to who hired you--ask them to help with the disruption If you are as good as you think you are no other cameras at the party will do justice to what you captured.

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."...Albert Einstein
I couldn't agree with sontog more!!! THANK YOU!!!

tk Loc: Iowa

Someone else taking pictures and selling them, anytime, is taking money out of your pocket when you were contracted as the only photographer. This is wrong. Website communication to other photographers about the DJ in your area.

Mickey88 Loc: Central Florida

2 thoughts on this.

1.. yes it's the B&G's day, however if the dj's photographer is getting in the way of the hired photographer, that is a serious issue, if he fails to get his or her shot's it could be his reputation on the line as well as a possible lawsuit, therefore I would calmly say somnething to the DJ or his photographer about that. I once shot a 60th Anniversary party, there was a videographer there. I approached him immediately and introduced myself. I then told him I looked forward to working with him, and told him I'd be sure to stay out of his way, and since I was certain he'd show the same respect, I would be happy to give his name to anyone I knew, that was in need of a videographer. By having that conversation up front I assured that he'd do his best to not ruin any of my shots.

2. the idea of the photographer giving cards to guests inviting them to a website to view and purchase photos, is something I've never heard of. the photographer is hired to provide a service and photos to the B&G, to offer those photos for sale to anyone else, might be legal, but to me is unethical.
I normally don't do weddings, but I did one in August for a friend, she asked if other people would be able to view the photos and purchase them from my website.

I told her that was her decision.since they were her wedding photos. Since she wanted that to be a posibility, I put the photos in a password protected folder, and told her she could give the password to anyone she wanted to have it.

iresq Loc: Annapolis MD

Hey Mickey, you bring up a good point, marketing. I never market myself to the guests. That's not what I was paid to do. I would think the same would apply to any vendor at an event. You don't see the caterer or florist passing out business cards do you? If asked, I would provide a card.

I was both intrigued and disturbed by some photographers bringing a printer to sell prints to the guests. I would think at the very minimum, this would have been approved in advance by the B&G. Interesting idea for revenue stream, just feels kinda cheesy.

Mickey88 Loc: Central Florida

when shooting an event if anyone asks what kind of work I do, or if I have a card, I respond based on the timing, if it's during a break in the action, I'll answer and give a card, otherwise I politely tell them I'l be happy to talk to them later, when I'm finished doing the job I was hired to do

SpiffyPhoto Loc: Southern Wisconsin

[quote=eddier]Would it have been as professional to go get a portable stereo out of your trunk and started playing your own music?


LOL ..... I love this idea ..... tit for tat ...... In all seriousness a contract is a contract .... if the photographer broke any part of the contract he could be sued by the wedding couple. This is an agreement between the two parties and should be followed very closely. If this contract is not followed then why have one in the first place. This is why I haven't got envolved with wedding photography and never will .....

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

reminds me of numerous stories about the old Press Photographers...armed with 4X5s and huge flash bulbs...as I've heard it... they did all kinds of evil stuff. Like dipping the tip of a finger in vasoline and when another photographer wasn't looking they would manage to rub the digit across his lens. Of course thru the lens stuff hadn't happened yet...and there were a lot of really pissed guys when they hung that 4X5 neg up to dry and realized it was..."kinda fuzzy..."

Berniceb Loc: Oregon Coast & Hawaii

Having an assistant print photos of guests to sell at the event would have to be part of a package approved by and paid for by the B & G. An extra in this day and age when photographers are having difficulty staying in business. Having a few of the wedding shots viewed on a screen is the same thing, part of a package you sell ahead of time. If this is not a good idea for some photographers, fine. Just another marketing idea. The DJ was wrong. If you like you can use his idea. The B & G evidently bought it from him. Just a thought. The most important shots for me would be the real wedding portraits. But I did love my candid shots, my dear friend paid to have a photographer take shots throughout the reception. Love the pictures.