sploppert Loc: Rochester, NY

You are more than welcome to do that. Of course you would never get a chance to before I showed you the door.

sploppert Loc: Rochester, NY

I agree with you 100% also add would you bring your own sound system to the reception because the DJ is playing the Bride and Grooms music they requested and you want to play what you like? I think not. If you did that when a band was hired they would pack up and leave. How is that different then stealing the pro's poses and time?

Dannj

Absolutely, Picture Taker👍
I can’t believe I’m still following this thread. I’m gonna call my dentist and schedule a root canal!

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

Once upon a time I shot weddings professionally and the only problem I ever had with amateurs was a PREACHER! who's trademark was giving the couple a complete wedding album as his "gift" to them. He complained I was getting into HIS shots! He's dead now... but I wasn't involved.

Dannj

Hey BHC, you’re still here!?!?

Yeah, me too☹️
It’s like a bad cold that just won’t go away.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

While I do like to leave my camera at home when invited to be a guest at a wedding, I also think people at the reception should be free to take pictures. So much is happening that no photographer can cover it all. At one wedding this summer disposable cameras were distributed to the tables for the reception. The photographer seemed to have no problem with that at all. (The photographer was shooting a Sony A7 III and a Pentax MF and wore one of those Holdfast leather crisscross harnesses that seem so popular now. Not really relevant to the thread, but hey) I think the cameras then went to the couple for their use.

Zooman 1

In my early days as a photographer I would shoot weddings. Never, Never again! I give respect to those pro photographers who are wedding photographers. I would much rather photograph wild animals then brides and grooms. Just do not need the hassle and strain. So, even though it may seem odd, if there is a request to not take photos, I would try to follow it.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Wedding "Photographers" (as you put it) are some of the only photographers who can get sued for not getting the shots. yeah, we take it seriously. If Annie Lebowitz doesn't get the shot, she can reschedule a reshoot. So, can we just have the whole wedding party, official, venues, caterers, cake and everything else redone, because we didn't perform?

leenso52

Wow! Have I learned a lot today. And feel pretty guilty for all the times I've tried to photograph some moments at weddings without even considering asking permission from the bride and groom OR the paid photographers! The only time I was asked to stop was when, just before the ceremony, I tried to set up my tripod right where I was standing for when the bride walked down the aisle, test shots were coming out blurry...poor me...
Yes, right there in the 3rd or 4th row, next to the aisle. I did embarrass myself and anyone who knew me! It was extremely rude, self serving and outrageous even, but at that moment all I could think of was grabbing (yes, best word in retrospect) that great shot of my gorgeous, favorite niece to share with her and her groom. And I have been asked by most of the couples later for the pics.
Wow, in retrospect. Appalling even! And all the times I got pissed when someone got in MY way of a shot! I did think I was being respectful in most cases, never standing in the way of the pros or other guests, not intentionally. But now I can see pretty clearly how hard the role of pro photog can be. Sad part is, with my less than ideal conditions, especially in challenging light conditions, I never really shared many shots with the couple. It really is my NEED to take pictures that came first. So hard for us to just sit back and let someone else have all the fun!
I can't change past behavior but I can certainly move forward. I do think the OP handled himself well, and I share his pain. I think NO pics is too harsh. Guick guidelines better approach. It takes away from the experience, yes I know, it's the bride and groom's day not ours! of some guests. But even I would never take a cell pic of the couple during the ceremony and post it before the ceremony was finished! This is THEIR story to tell!
Thank you for this interesting topic!

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

I went to a couple of weddings of relatives and took some pictures of the event thinking somebody would be interested in them. Nobody seemed too interested and I was the one who was the least interested in my own photos so I would throw them away. Now I just go to the wedding and eat, drink, dance and have a good time. Screw providing free photos to anybody.

Cibafan Loc: Virginia

My own experience as a wedding photographer started years ago working for a studio at the time. I was using a 4x5 speed graphic and flashbulbs. I was always courteous to other shooters, but often asked them not to shoot a set up scene until I was finished. I did not need to have Uncle Charlies flash go off just before mine did resulting in closed eyes. Later as I went out on my own I made the same requests, usually with out any contention.

danniepolley

I've never seen that before either, but yes some cell phone takers can be a problem. I attended a wedding four months ago, that had five photographers (including video) plus two sound people. I was amazed at how little you noticed all the professionals, they got the shots but did a terrific job of not obstructing the view of the guests.

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

Again, I see by the multitude of answers that anyone who owns a really good digital thinks they are a Pro. Being a Pro means you make most of your living doing photography. They are not unless they make their living at it. So all of you Non-Pros who think you are quit bothering the Pro while he/she is performing their job because the bride and groom already have the album they want picked out they do not need your gift what they will need is cash to pay for it all. A card with a check will be better appreciated because then they can pay for all the expenses. Leave camera at home you are only bringing it to show off how great a photographer you think you are. If you were that great then the bride and groom would have asked you for a price and to show them what the album you have in mind for them will look like when it is finished. They already know what it will look like and have paid most of that bill before the wedding. Quit the show off and get off the stage, you are not in the production.

Dannj

Can’t believe I’m still following this thread but doesn’t anyone besides me think it’s ok to take some pictures to record the event just for yourself? I don’t everyone with a DSLR or cell phone is trying to be a pita to the pro or take money out of their pocket.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

"CEASE AND DESIST" MY GOODNESS! did somebody actually say that- I mean at the wedding?! Sounds more like something the court officer or process server, serves on the nextdoor neighbors who are burning rubber tires in their adjacent backyard or operating a house of ill repute next to a church! Or...when someone receives a restraining order in a criminal harassment case! 56 years in the wedding business- never happened to me and I never heard of that. I mean there are restrictions but- isn't that a bit much! My reaction was "What the hell was this guy doing- just taking pictures?!

Seriously! Listen folks- whenever the subject of wedding photography comes up here on the UHH site, regardless of the scenario, the same things happen. There is always a good serving of PRO-BASHING and horror stories of drunken, no-show, inapt, rude, wedding "pros" who never delivered the pictures or significantly messed up the ones he or she did actually produce and then... the AMATEURS TO THE RESCUE! "Thank God that Uncle Oscar came with this Speed Graphic'"! Then of course, there are the pro wedding photography boosters who come in to "RESCUE" us pros from the clutches of the bashers. Well- fair is fair- it's great to hear both sides of the argument! Then there is always the chorus in the background..."this is why I never would shoot weddings", "I've been shooting weddings since the days of the Peloponnesian Wars (that's me)...and times have changed and it's all because of the digital age"!

Sadly enough, so many folks who otherwise love photography and photographers have serious misconceptions as to how bonafide/credentialed/or just damn good professional wedding photographer operate. They also forget that a wedding is not "staged" by the bride and groom as an enormous "photo-op" and many really don't want the "cell phone Paparazzi" at their ceremony. Even in today's tumultuous world, many folks still consider the exchange of marriage vows as a sacred, solemn and serious celebration and would like to carry this out in an environment of peace and decorum. An experienced and savvy shooter- even working with assistants and a good video crew can pull this off with little or no distraction.

True enough, a consermate shooter can navigate around all kinds of interference and still come out with a good jobb under his or her belt- but they should not have to dodge the interference. They shoud be allowed to concentrate on their artistry, the spontaneity and move about unencumbered. As others here have posted, most folks would never entertain the idea of distracting the clergy person or the officiator, the caterer, the serving staff, the entertainment or the decorator/florist- why the professional photographer? Beats me!

Truthfully- I do have an "exclusivity clause" in my contract- just in case things get totally obnoxious- so I have some control. Over half a century now and I never had to "enforce it". I've been to some pretty rackous receptions- near riots! You know what?- most folks are nice- they mean well- the really don't want to interfere and a little diplomacy and asense of humor goes a long way. I never engaged in name-calling, told anyone to "bugger" off (no F-bombs on the forum). Maybe I command some respect because I am old, big and ugly and age has endowed me with a bad case of perma-frown- but I love to smile at folks- it's infectious. Or you can try my "HUG AN AMATEUR" approach- someday I'll write a post about that!

$$$- Money wise- Any professional worth his or her salt will not take on a major job- like a complete wedding coverage on speculation. Come on folks- the preparation, the equipment, the travel, assistans and second shooter fees, and it could be a 12 hour gig or more! Then the editing, printing and sometimes album design and production. We go in on a serious minimum contract. We are not in competition with any other photographer at the wedding- amateur or professional. We are not freelance photojournalists vieng for the shots. Scoping the "competition" went out with the advent of electronic journalism even in the news business. I'm sure Armageddon will be on TV and Facebook long before it appears in the newspapers or National Geographic. Well- the New YorK Post will have a front page headline "INSIDE HELL"- by our photographers who have been there"! (see centerfold). Perhaps they will be weekend wedding shooters! (Ya know- "HELL" that as joke!)

I want to dispel another MYTH- repeated so much here to the effect that professional wedding photographers can't capture the real spontaneity of the affair- the ceremony the reception- Poppycock! I don't like to say BS- I don't have the etymology on "Poppycock" but it sounds less vulgar. An experienced wedding and event shooter can instinctively find and shoot "family relationships" even if he is not familiar with the family. I cheat too- I pre-plan a who's- who list with the couple and always keep a watchful eye for emotional and joyous, funny, content. I know in advance of Uncle Max is gonna play his saxophone, aunt Zelda is gonna fake a strip tease or Cousin Orvil as gonna stand on his head after the first dance!

Receptions can be rough stuff- we have to do serious work while everyone else is there to have fun. Sometimes the booze if flowing, however, all theses stories about drunk photograhers?- folks from reputable studios or highly recommended individual operators don't do that! Believe me- I worked for a number of years in a New York (wedding factory) studio. We had 25 staff photographers and another 25 stringers (weekenders) if anyone was caught, on the job, with so much as an alcoholic beverage in their hands- the would be banished from the Earth. Besides everything else- ya gotta drive home! Soda water and lemon keeps you hydrated and the alkaline kills the indigentian form the rubber chicken!

I always say, professional wedding photography is not the the frivolous, lazy photographer or for anyone who is faint of heart. Even in the digital age, 2018, it can still be a lucrative, rewarding, interesting and artistic profession. Don't knock it! Or as my grandmother used to say- "STOP ALREADY WITH THE KNOCKING"!

Kindest regards!