CEASE and DESIST; Taking pictures at a small wedding and reception (Page 4): My niece was married 6 years ago, and they hired a PRO, but him and I talked about shooting, when he took a...

miked46 Loc: Winter Springs, Florida

My niece was married 6 years ago, and they hired a PRO, but him and I talked about shooting, when he took a break, he had no problem with me shooting from the other side of the room. I have never heard of that request you received, I have been told to not interfere with their work, but that is all.

Dannj

rwww80a wrote:

That happened to me once - and I told him I was the father of the groom!

Lol! Yes, of the significant people at a wedding the father of the groom is certainly the least. The advice I was given for this role was smile and don’t do anything stupid. It was tough but I pulled it off.

Dannj

Seems like an unreasonable request that NO other pictures be taken. I’ve been to many weddings and always take photos. I stay out of the photographer’s way and take candid shots of the guests, tables etc...never had a problem. The shots I take are to preserve MY memories of the event and if I see a shot I think someone would like, I send them a copy. I respect the wedding photographer and let them do their job but they’re not going to get the shots that I want.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Absolutely ridiculous!

Ray and JoJo Loc: Florida--Tenneessee

First my wife is called official photographer of our church, she always takes 200-300 picks at the events at the church burning them to a CDs and giving it to people involved weddings and births she will have a 8x10 printed, these pic will hang in a long hall at church for a year then it is theirs. One Wedding she was asked to Cease and Desist well they wanted to know why they did no have a pick in the hall There photographer wanted $60 for an 8x10. My wife's remark was SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Dannj wrote:

Seems like an unreasonable...

As soon as the photographer mentioned that condition, I would start looking for another photographer.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BebuLamar wrote:

But the bride and groom tell me to go ahead I wouldn't care about the photographer. I would care if they walk out or sue the groom and bride. I only respect the groom and bride wish.

In this case, the couple signed a contract that no one else would take pictures. I bet that was a tough choice for them. It shouldn't have been the job of the bride's sister to enforce that contract, though.

The next time I'm invited to a wedding, I'll ask to see the photographer's contract.

I actually enjoy taking pictures, so taking pictures at a wedding would not interfere with my enjoyment. I wonder if the photographer was going to give photo albums to all of the couples' relatives.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

rpavich wrote:

THE answer.

Thread over.

AN answer. AN opinion.

Thread continues.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Professional Wedding Photographers are getting pai... (show quote)

You are quite right. It is their job. Last year my daughter was married. The only DSLR's present was the photographer and her two assistants. Cell phones is the beast of choice. Everyone was using cell phones. My wife bought 45 disposable cameras and put 3 on each table. There was also a place to return the cameras when finished. The pro's pictures were as you would expect. The pictures that were taken by the guests are really very good. They show a level of casualness and spontaneity. They are in the same place as our copy of the wedding album. When we have guests over some always want to see the pictures taken with the throwaway cameras.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

rwww80a wrote:

I have been taking pictures for 50 years (started with a Nikkormat FTn) with candids at the many weddings I have attended through the years.

This was a first!

In the ceremony program there was a statement (printed in the middle of the first page of the program) about the "excellent" photographers the couple had hired and not to take cell phone pix and post during the ceremony. I had my Nikon 7200 and took some pix and went to the reception took a few more. The sister of the bride came up to me and said cease and desist, I tried to tell her that what I was doing was to make an album of candids for a gift for the happy couple which I have done many other times. I stopped, didn't want to make the bride unhappy. I even had the grandparents come up to me as ask me to shoot some portraits of them - which I declined to do at that point because I wasn't the "official" photog. It made me feel bad for them later because I never saw the official wedding photogs over on the side of the room where they were sitting away from the noise.
Later the mother of the groom came up to me and explained that the picture statement in the program was done at the photographers insistence because the photographers didn't want their time and photos "devalued" by amateurs at the wedding. THEY are the picture takers and no one else can shoot the wedding? First I've heard of that! I had even been trying to stay out of the pros way so I wouldn't get in their way or ruin their shots! By the way, on the next day there must have been at least 10 postings on Facebook of cell phone vids and photos from the wedding and reception.

Are the pros really that paranoid and insecure about their work AND that amateurs could possibly make their work look bad or not as good? The photogs didn't even have the b...s to ask me themselves?

Yes in the past I have had several couples or families say that the album I put together as a gift was better than the pro BUT I think that because they were family.

Any other experiences or opinions???

I have been taking pictures for 50 years (started ... (show quote)

I've never been to a wedding where they prohibited photos - except for flash photography inside the church. They can't prohibit photos in public view - e.g., bride and groom coming out of the church. But they could prohibit photos at a wedding reception, inside a private reception hall or on private grounds. If I was invited to a wedding as such I would refuse to go (unless a close relative in which case I would argue against it), or walk out if I found out afterwards. No photos no reception, no gift - !

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

I've been photographing weddings for over 30 years. The fact is cell phones are now a part of our culture. Virtually every guest has one has one and will take photos of anything that moves them. And I don't really have issue with that unless they get in the way of me performing my job or if they start taking pictures of intricate groupings and poses I have spent years perfecting and want to deliver to my clients exclusively. Years ago the market for selling individual pictures to family members and guests was pretty good. A few hundred extra dollars might be expected, but those days are mostly gone since wedding packages usually include the digital files the couple can have printed themselves. Guests providing additional candids away from the action or at different angles can be a nice "photojournalist" addition to wedding coverage. By and large people are very respectful of my need to get the best position so it really isn't much of an issue. My attached photo shows an example of how to take advantage of today's wedding reality.

TonyDeSabato

I was at a wedding where there was an announcement just before the ceremony stated that the bride and room requested that no pictures be taken by anyone other than the official photographers. I complied but that it was a bit ridiculous and deprived the couple and their family of some great candids.

RSpinney Loc: Maine

Members here have commented about not using a flash, staying out of the pro's way, respecting the bride's wishes etc. I didn't see a comment about "silencing one's camera." I don't know about other members, but I find it annoying whenever I hear a digital camera do its "ka-lunk!" when it takes a picture. I would like to see this discussed . . . briefly. Thanks.

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

rwww80a wrote:

I have been taking pictures for 50 years (started with a Nikkormat FTn) with candids at the many weddings I have attended through the years.

This was a first!

In the ceremony program there was a statement (printed in the middle of the first page of the program) about the "excellent" photographers the couple had hired and not to take cell phone pix and post during the ceremony. I had my Nikon 7200 and took some pix and went to the reception took a few more. The sister of the bride came up to me and said cease and desist, I tried to tell her that what I was doing was to make an album of candids for a gift for the happy couple which I have done many other times. I stopped, didn't want to make the bride unhappy. I even had the grandparents come up to me as ask me to shoot some portraits of them - which I declined to do at that point because I wasn't the "official" photog. It made me feel bad for them later because I never saw the official wedding photogs over on the side of the room where they were sitting away from the noise.
Later the mother of the groom came up to me and explained that the picture statement in the program was done at the photographers insistence because the photographers didn't want their time and photos "devalued" by amateurs at the wedding. THEY are the picture takers and no one else can shoot the wedding? First I've heard of that! I had even been trying to stay out of the pros way so I wouldn't get in their way or ruin their shots! By the way, on the next day there must have been at least 10 postings on Facebook of cell phone vids and photos from the wedding and reception.

Are the pros really that paranoid and insecure about their work AND that amateurs could possibly make their work look bad or not as good? The photogs didn't even have the b...s to ask me themselves?

Yes in the past I have had several couples or families say that the album I put together as a gift was better than the pro BUT I think that because they were family.

Any other experiences or opinions???

I have been taking pictures for 50 years (started ... (show quote)

When I did wedding photography my contract clearly stated that I was the exclusive wedding photographer, and that especially during the formal shots taken at the church I had the right to deny anyone from taking pictures of my poses. This was the only time I would exercise that part of the contract. BECAUSE, if I did not I would have flashes going off all the time behind me and the bride, groom and others could have their eyes closed on MY shots. I did not much care at other times during the wedding day. But, I reserved the right to keep others from ruining my formal shots.

anotherview Loc: California

I presume the bride and groom may set ground rules for doing photography at their wedding and its reception. I presume also that photography by its function intrudes on human privacy, whether or not the law permits photography to do so.

So I always respect rules that apply to photography during occasions or situations.

The OP here takes the rules he encountered as a personal matter, which of course he may do regardless of contrary facts or presumptions.

I have shot weddings and family gatherings without incident because all in attendance expected others besides the paid photographer to take pictures. This environment presents the norm as I've experienced it. The OP appears to have this view, too.

In fact, some individuals, because they know me, will ask me to take cameos and poses of them or of small groups. They feel comfortable with my picture-taking instead of with the paid photographer for being a stranger. This view leans toward the participants and their comfort.

Further, I've been asked to serve as the wedding photographer, but I always decline and offer an alternative: I will attend to take pictures informally and will pay half of the expense of a hired wedding photographer. When I note that the hired photographer has the experience to take all the standard photographs, and that I do not have this experience, the person requesting my photography understands and agrees.

As a rule, I always ask permission to take pictures at such events. I prefer consent over presumming permission to take pictures.

rwww80a wrote:

I have been taking pictures for 50 years (started with a Nikkormat FTn) with candids at the many weddings I have attended through the years.

This was a first!

In the ceremony program there was a statement (printed in the middle of the first page of the program) about the "excellent" photographers the couple had hired and not to take cell phone pix and post during the ceremony. I had my Nikon 7200 and took some pix and went to the reception took a few more. The sister of the bride came up to me and said cease and desist, I tried to tell her that what I was doing was to make an album of candids for a gift for the happy couple which I have done many other times. I stopped, didn't want to make the bride unhappy. I even had the grandparents come up to me as ask me to shoot some portraits of them - which I declined to do at that point because I wasn't the "official" photog. It made me feel bad for them later because I never saw the official wedding photogs over on the side of the room where they were sitting away from the noise.
Later the mother of the groom came up to me and explained that the picture statement in the program was done at the photographers insistence because the photographers didn't want their time and photos "devalued" by amateurs at the wedding. THEY are the picture takers and no one else can shoot the wedding? First I've heard of that! I had even been trying to stay out of the pros way so I wouldn't get in their way or ruin their shots! By the way, on the next day there must have been at least 10 postings on Facebook of cell phone vids and photos from the wedding and reception.

Are the pros really that paranoid and insecure about their work AND that amateurs could possibly make their work look bad or not as good? The photogs didn't even have the b...s to ask me themselves?

Yes in the past I have had several couples or families say that the album I put together as a gift was better than the pro BUT I think that because they were family.

Any other experiences or opinions???

I have been taking pictures for 50 years (started ... (show quote)