billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I have seen over the last few months dozens of folks coming on this forum wanting to photograph their fist wedding and asking advice on how to proceed. Many on this forum have warned those folks that they may be getting into something very difficult that at first appears easy. Look at the following fast developing situation that a wedding pro pulled off. The photo's may not show, but believe me, the pro acted quickly and got some great shots, because of her experience and knowledge of what she was doing. The wedding day is for the pro, first timers should come and snap shots and stay out of the pro's way.



The photos were taken on Brittany Bachman’s wedding day in Ohio, by photographer Delia Blackburn. While Todd Bachman, Brittany's father, was walking her down the aisle he stopped halfway...

father of the bride

He ran to the front row, grabbed her stepdad's hand, and ran with him back to Brittany so they could both walk her to the groom.

fathers of the bride

The story is that the two men never got along, but decided to settle their differences for the love of their daughter, according to the video above.

fathers of the bride

"NOT A DRY EYE at the ceremony..including me!" Delia Blackburn wrote on her Facebook page.

"Families are what we make them...make it about your kids and not your ego. Congratulations Todd Bachman on showing your kids what true love really is...love

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

No video or photos attached to message.

B-n-L Loc: Nevada

I would agree that if someone doesn't have enough experience to filter and weigh the advice of uncredentialed strangers on a public forum, then he/she should not be shooting any events for money. However, no matter the job, everyone has a first day at work. If the professional and customer are both honest and satisfied with the business arrangement, then whether it is the first wedding for any of them shouldn't matter.
I have witnessed one time and heard of several others where both biological and step fathers have been honored to walk the bride down the aisle. This gesture was nice but far from unusual, not everyone seeks or wants publicity for kind gestures.

Bud S Loc: Logan Ohio

:thumbup: :thumbup:

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

No attachments

Bud S Loc: Logan Ohio

This was on my facebook so I went back and found it. I'm not so sure this made for a great photographer, that's what you're there for IMO.

https://www.facebook.com/673664349370045/photos/pcb.970437093026101/970436153026195/?type=3&theater

EddieC Loc: CT

I did pro wedding photography for 26 years. Many brides now are indicating they want "non-electronic" weddings. In other words, no cell phone or amateur pics. Many people get in the way of the pro and take photos that they immediately upload to FB or other social media without the bride's permission. Luckily I did weddings in the film days and this wasn't a big problem then.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

:thumbup:

...and then there are the other ones! LoL

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

"Not enough wedding professionals to go around"

Looked on Craigslist lately?

Last time I counted the ads for photographers on my local CL there were 700... The vast majority of which were offering to shoot weddings for less than the cost of doing the job. Not that many CL photogs are very "professional".

BigGWells Loc: Olympia, WA

I have done two weddings and that was enough for me. There is too much drama, too many people to try and get together to make things work. With today's digital world, I see young moms go buy a camera kit on Friday, on Monday, they are advertising wedding momtography. There is a reason that good wedding photographers charge what they do, it is a lot of work to make it come together. Just because someone owns a "pro camera" does not make them a pro. The two weddings I did, I wrote a contract, it was signed, everyone knew what was expected. Included in that contract was the clause "no use of cell phones, period" As people came through the main door, they were informed of that. Out of both weddings there was only one cell phone issue, and she was quietly put in her place. Our society has become all about instant gratification. Weddings are something you do not get a chance to redo the shots. They have to gotten right, the first time.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Agree with your last line!

FYI:
In my wedding research, (very small time and unofficial), I asked where they look for a photographer. CL never was mentioned. When I brought up the name CL, most implied they wouldn't waste their time looking there.

twhrider Loc: Indiana

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Your last two sentences are exactly why I would never even think of undertaking a wedding, no matter how good a friend, or family that asked me to do it. No way.... unh uh....no do overs means no way would I consider even attempting it. I couldn't deal with the guilt if something didn't go right.

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

Hey, how about the old film days. I wonder how many wedding photographers ever got the notice from their lab that the film was ruined, lost, or otherwise unprintable?

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

A couple hundred years ago the bride and groom would have to find a really-really fast painter! LoL

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

What does "...advice of uncredentialed strangers on a public forum..." supposed to mean?