An article to help with cell phone shooters: Ran across this one, I debated on whether to put it in links and resources, or Wedding Photography. It is pretty specific, plus, I'd like...

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Ran across this one, I debated on whether to put it in links and resources, or Wedding Photography. It is pretty specific, plus, I'd like to keep all of this wedding stuff together :thumbup:

http://www.yahoo.com/style/the-latest-wedding-craze-the-unplugged-wedding-103657853393.html

May be worth sharing with Bride and Groom during pre-wedding planning sessions.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Thank you for sharing.

wtompkins Loc: Northern Michigan

Nice article. I shot my first wedding a couple weeks ago, and there sure were lots of cell phones in use!

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

wtompkins wrote:

Nice article. I shot my first wedding a couple weeks ago, and there sure were lots of cell phones in use!

Thanks. I actually printed it off, and will be using it in my next pre-wedding meeting. I doubt I will bring it out at the initial sales meeting. I don't want to muddy the waters, but I always do talk to B&G about asking people not to jump in front of me. I thought the article explains it better than I can. I'll probably keep a laminated copy, so it is always ready to go.

greg vescuso Loc: Ozark,Mo.

I personally haven't had to much trouble with cell phones, but that probably has more to do with all my weedings are family I make sure the bride and groom let everyone know they will be getting all the images from me and will share with them. Now that being said I do have a couple relative at every wedding that do get in the way but knowing ahead of time who they are makes it more manageable to shoot around them. I do believe if I was shooting video this wouldn't be possible. The ironic thing is my aunt who always is getting in the way with her cell phone happens to have a old flip phone maybe A couple megapixels and you never can clearly make out what her pictures are.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

My biggest issue isn't usually during the ceremony. It is all the cell phones and iPads at the reception. I've gotten a few where people jumped in front of me during the cutting of the cake, or tossing of the bouquet. It just helps if the Bride and Groom can either put a note in with the announcement, saying that the wedding is to be "unplugged" or sometimes they will ask the DJ to remind people that they can take all the photos they want, but please stay out of the way of the photographers. MOST people are pretty easy to deal with. (my family are some of the more difficult ones, but then again, I don't shoot weddings for relatives, it's a rule I have, that has served me well)

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

bkyser wrote:

Ran across this one, I debated on whether to put it in links and resources, or Wedding Photography. It is pretty specific, plus, I'd like to keep all of this wedding stuff together :thumbup:

http://www.yahoo.com/style/the-latest-wedding-craze-the-unplugged-wedding-103657853393.html

May be worth sharing with Bride and Groom during pre-wedding planning sessions.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

LKincaid Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

Really good article.

fotodon Loc: Oberlin, OH

bkyser wrote:

Ran across this one, I debated on whether to put it in links and resources, or Wedding Photography. It is pretty specific, plus, I'd like to keep all of this wedding stuff together :thumbup:

http://www.yahoo.com/style/the-latest-wedding-craze-the-unplugged-wedding-103657853393.html

May be worth sharing with Bride and Groom during pre-wedding planning sessions.

Good article, one of many similar ones I have read in the past couple of years. I always bring this up in my pre-wedding consultations. However, I do not emphasize the effect that guest photographers have on me. I emphasize the fact that people can't possibly be "feeling the moment" during the ceremony while tinkering with their phone or camera. So far I have not had a single bride opt for an unplugged ceremony but I think the discussion has led to more people minimizing the cell phone/camera use.

I rarely have problems at the reception. I even watch for cell phone usage because there is often a good candid shot lurking in front of them. These are hardly ever money shots but when I politely ask to grab the same shot the person with cell phone seems to be flattered along with the subjects of the shot. And now, I become visible to people that have not previously known I was even in the same room because I work at being invisible while I am shooting. This often leads to a request for a business card.

Don

xxredbeardxx Loc: San Clemente CA.

bkyser wrote:

Ran across this one, I debated on whether to put it in links and resources, or Wedding Photography. It is pretty specific, plus, I'd like to keep all of this wedding stuff together :thumbup:

Great article for any photo occasion.
I was asked to take photo's at a baptism
recently and The phone cameras kept getting in
front of me. So frustrating.

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Unfortunately there will always be guests that do not abide by the bride & grooms request for an unplugged wedding. It's just one more hurdle for the pro wedding photographer to deal with.

What a world this would be if everyone just followed the rules :)

xxredbeardxx Loc: San Clemente CA.

skidooman wrote:

Unfortunately there will always be guests that do not abide by the bride & grooms request for an unplugged wedding.
It's just one more hurdle for the pro wedding photographer to deal with.

What a world this would be if everyone just followed the rules :)

:thumbup:

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

xxredbeardxx wrote:

Great article for any photo occasion.
I was asked to take photo's at a baptism
recently and The phone cameras kept getting in
front of me. So frustrating.

I actually know several of the pastors at the local churches now. If you take a few minutes to meet with them before any job, wedding, baptism, etc. They usually don't mind at all telling people to turn off their phones and put their cameras away. Most will even mention that the family has hired a photographer to capture this special moment, and that they should be there as guests, not additional photographers. (most know how to word it to even get a laugh) The funny thing is, MOST people listen. The main exception to that is usually little old ladies that will say things like "they expect us 'little old ladies' to not follow instructions." My own mother said that a few times, so ...... there you go.

xxredbeardxx Loc: San Clemente CA.

bkyser wrote:

I actually know several of the pastors at the local churches now. If you take a few minutes to meet with them before any job, wedding, baptism, etc. They usually don't mind at all telling people to turn off their phones and put their cameras away. Most will even mention that the family has hired a photographer to capture this special moment, and that they should be there as guests, not additional photographers.

Haa. To funny and makes perfect sense.
Thanks for the tip. I will make good use of this info.
Sometimes communication is key. Most folks think they are being helpful.

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

While it is true that most pastors/clergy will request that it be an unplugged ceremony, it is my experience(s) that the request often falls on deaf ears. It is worth a try however.