johnbee418 Loc: Manchester Conn.

Isn't Boredom wonderful

Boris77

I guess you know that the photographers were paid pros?
For our wedding we handed my brother-in-law a camera and 10 rolls of color film, and a friend brought two SLRs and I gave him 15 (handloaded by me) rolls of B&W. Both handed us back the exposed film that evening.
The wife got well composed color prints of all the attendees; I got a wad of good B&W negatives that I turned into a good looking album; and two friends gave us wedding presents to remember. The traditional moments did not suffer because we made sure the "photographers" were in position for the pictures WE wanted.
This is back in the good old days when we had the time, the friends, and luckily not the money.
Boris

bettis1 Loc: Texas

Don't dispare. With the divorce rate what it is half of the people will get another chance to get some good shots with their "beloved".

pmackd Loc: Alameda CA

My story is different. Never shot a wedding before. I volunteered to shoot my daughter's...in Europe. Used my D750 and 24-120 f4, all available light. When I got there it turned out they had a friend who was a professional fashion photographer shooting too, with flash. His presence was a help and what I got thrilled both my daughter and myself. (In my case, astounded would be a better word) I had recently attended another wedding and knew more or less what to expect, plus I was able to research the ceremony venue in advance online since it was a museum and pre visualized some important shots. Their pro friend didn't show up for the evening reception but I did. Used on-camera flash and got some good shots.

I am experienced at shooting under pressure, not quite an amateur, and I would never think to take money to shoot a wedding. Now would I do it gratis for a friend or other relative? Naw. Just would like to enjoy the event, eat and drink.

Edia Loc: Central New Jersey

I attended a wedding two months ago and was awed by the way the Pros shot it. The ceremony was on the beach at sunset with the Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop. In addition to the 3 Nikon 810s, the Pros used a drone to take 4K video. After the ceremony, the guests went indoors for a black tie wedding feast with a live band. Inside, the Pros used a dedicated pro video camera and the Nikons to shoot the festivities. There was the Pro and 5 helpers involved with lighting and taking shots. I was impressed with the professionalism and the relative unobtrusiveness of this crew.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

I understand, and agree with your comments about 'professionalism.' I've never seen street clothes on a professional photographer or crew at any affair I've ever been to.

My real comment is about not taking a camera. I agree wholeheartedly. If I bring one I cannot enjoy the party. Professionals are getting paid. Let THEM do the work. Sometimes the hosts provide several disposable cameras so that anyone can take more 'candid' shots.

davidarcangel Loc: Arroyo Grande, California

You are knocking the photographer(s) and from the sound of your description there may be some merit for it however, whoever hired him should get most of the blame. Didn't he/she/them see any samples of his work? Was he recommenced? How was he dressed for the interview (was he even interviewed)?

I'll bet he was hired because he gave them a great deal. So sad. You only get what you pay for. How long has that saying been around?

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

What's so surprising to me is not the scenario, because most people are so acclimated to crap snaps that they can't tell the difference. If you don't believe it just look at the posted images on UHH and all the following kudos in the comments. It's the American way to reduce it to the lowest common denominator. This works well in math, but not so well in the art of photography.Of course,
there's budget too, but how could one reshoot a wedding? I feel sorry for the couple,
as there choice good or bad will leave a lasting impression in their lives, but at least the photo industry will be less one more bumpkin that just fell off the turnip truck. Oooops,
two more just fell off looking for victims.

gray_ghost2 Loc: Antelope, (Sac) Ca.

As a life time amature/hobbiest photographer, I dabbled in wedding photography, not by choice. Friends couldn't or didn't want to pay for a professonial.I tried to talk them out of it but they were at budget for their daughters wedding without a photographer. And with my wife prodding me, I accepted. I readup, watched videos and observed photographers at several weddings prior to my 1st wedding shoot. Nervous, yes. Qualified, not hardly. I got with the couple prior to their wedding to go over their program and any special family members that they really wanted photos with, grandparents, long distance family travelers etc. Went over with the bride & groom a list of necessary pre-wedding/wedding photos of the bride and her bridesmaids and groom and his groomsmens, family and special places/areas on the church grounds they may want to be photographed in.
On the day of the wedding, I dressed in a suit and tie and had my teenage daughter, who was interested in photography, assist me. We went to the brides home and got pic's of her getting ready, hair/makeup, with her Mom, sisters and bridesmaids. We got to the church plenty early to check lighting and ease of movement within the church. Talked with the pastor about his rules of photograping in his church. The reception was held in the adjcent cultural hall. Checked it out and took early photos of it.
Once the bride arrived, things started moving pretty fast. Got through it all. Over 1020 photos to post process.
Couple of stress points during the day. Bride and groom wanted a photo taken a certain way but the brides Mother didn't like the positioning of the bridal couple and started to comment her concerns. But the couple wanted it. Mom said she was paying for the photos and thats it. Argument started between the bride and her Mom. Dad came in smoothed out the conflict said he'd pay for that photo if she wanted it. Mom huffed off. Bride and Groom happy with the shots.
Total time involved from pre-plannning, wedding day/reception and post process of the photos, about 85hrs. I'm sure professionals wedding photographers have it down less then that. Bottom line, the wedding couple was happy with the photos. Mother was pissed at me for a while, but I too wasn't a happy camper with the payout.
Did it again to help out, similar situation, over budget. Same results. Couple loved the photos. Parents were worse then the 1st on payout. Done, No more weddings. Leave it to the Pro's. I'll stay with nature, cars & sports. Less stress, no money. Happy camper.

cdayton

We attended a grandson’s wedding on Cape Cod a couple of months ago. The female photographer was a pleasure to watch. She socialized with the guests so everyone was comfortable with her and she seemed to always be in the perfect location for shots. She obviously had carefully planned her movements but was essentially unobstrusive. Everything was outside during the day, so she used no artificial light and worked alone. I asked her how she liked doing weddings and she said it was her favorite venue. I enjoy watching people who love their work.

lrm Loc: Sarasota, FL

I am a fair amateur, done a few graduation portfolios, but woul neve consider a wedding. My grandson just married yesterday, and he followed my advise. I suggested he review portfolios, and hire his favorite to shoot a bride-to be party. Not too expensive a deal, gave him a good idea of how professional the photographer and her photos are. Results were good, and I observed the pro at the wedding— looked good.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Why hold back...tell us about their gear.

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

My first wedding shoot was my gift to the bride. I had asked and she did not book a photographer because they couldn't afford one. I dressed professionally in dark colors. I wore quiet comfortable shoes. I stayed out of the way, but made sure I was in the right place at the right time.

I figured I could do it. My best friend's husband was a wedding photographer. He reviewed what I should think about, how to run a wedding (because in those days there were no wedding planners and the photographer signalled when the "next thing" should happen).

Everything came out great. Everyone loved the photos and the album was passed around to everyone.

Of course, some other people wanted me to shoot their weddings. I did several, charged a ton of money and never had anything go wrong. I finished college in short order and received my Master's and no longer wanted to do weddings. I know now that I lucked out. I only had one camera, a Nikon FTN, one strobe and rolls of film.

I figured out that I won the lottery with my luck on weddings, so there isn't a chance I'll win a lottery of money. But it paid me while in college, paid for my camera and lenses and until it became boring, it was fun. I never bring a camera to a wedding any more. I don't want to interfere with the "real" photographers.

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

Hahahhahahahahahahhahhhahhha!!!!

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

Isn't it generally known that women by and large are more intuitive and detail conscious and men (I'm a man) just wanna giterdun.