stu352 Loc: MA/RI Border

Is it just me, or is it becoming a trend? Has some unspoken rule changed? I've been to a couple weddings recently where the photographers were dressed... lets say much more casually than the guests. At one, the photographers both wore wrinkled, well worn button down shirts and jeans. At this weekend's outdoor wedding, my son's if you must know, I first thought the photographer was there to do some last minute gardening or set up the chairs, until I saw her bag full of Nikon stuff. For guests at both of these it was suits for the guys, and fancy dresses for the ladies.

A few years back I was at a wedding where the photographer and his assistant both wore black suits with black t- shirts underneath, a much classier look.

So have standards changed? What are your thoughts?

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

stu352 in Massachusetts? Or the industry in general?
I have assisted many commercial shooters... corporate, event, architectural etc... much depends on the venue, day of the week, time of day... these qualifications go around the block... One thing is constant, there are no "cast in stone" dress requirements...

That said, I work with teams on creative tests and fashion editorials... here black is the rule for compelling reasons... color contamination!
In a studio light is bouncing off everything... if a team member has a garment that is not neutral then they are a liability to the aggregate team effort... this is REAL! and is the reason makeup artist who work on commerical sets virtually all wear black attire... as do hair styles, grips etc...

btw, when working as a lighting assistant or second shooter at weddings I always wear black (without exception)
This has been my policy for years and will likely remain so moving forward...

bottom line? unless you are paying the photographer might be wise to keep you thoughts to yourself, k?

Thanks stu352! And best wishes on your journey...

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Yes, the standards of "style" have changed everywhere. People wearing "wrinkled, well worn button down shirts and jeans" are appropriately "in style". They view those with pressed shirts and ties under dry cleaned suits as a waste of resources and "out of style".

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Stu, you're not that old control freak at every wedding cussing about the good old daze, are you??
When I was in High School the teachers wore slacks and button down shirts if they were hip radicals, everyone else wore ties!!! LoL
If you're paying and hiring the photographer, lay out the dress code.
BUT, unless the photographer is gonna be included in ALL the formal shots, their job is to photograph, not be a bridesmaid!
I get REALLY tired of some old guy on here asking your very question once every few months!!! That horse died with your parents, stop whipping it!!!
SS

TBerwick Loc: Houston, Texas

SharpShooter - I'm one of those "old" guys & a former wedding photographer. I equate the informal attire to a lack of respect to the job & the client. It seems that our society has "evolved" to the point that lack of respect is now the norm & I do not endorse the change as a positive.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

I have been to weddings where some of the guests look like they have just stopped weeding the garden.....

Photocraig

And even more sad is that's the best they EVER look. I'm just an old geezer with a duct taped pie hole, mostly.

Shutterbug57

At the last wedding I shot, the groom and best man were in suits, the preacher was in a suit, the photographer was in a suit, the bridesmaid was in a dress, the bride was decked out as is normal and her dad walked her down the aisle in jeans, a Henley and a down vest & sneakers. Go figure.

IMHO, the photographer should be dressed so as to not stick out. As (s)he is working, a jacket may not be required, but nice slacks with a wrinkle-free shirt and tie present one as a professional. Jeans and a frumpy shirt may be in style, but lack professionalism. Don’t forget that while you are taking images, you are presenting an image as well. Most guests will see the image you present and never see the images you shoot...

PeterBergh

IMHO, the photographer(s) should be "socially invisible", i.e., they should wear clothes in a style similar to what the majority of the people at the wedding wear. If the wedding party wears bathing suits, so should the photographer(s).

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Yes. Things have changed. Check out some of the responses.

coolhoosier Loc: Dover, NH, USA

Best response and I agree.

LCD

Some Sundays I drive past a Catholic Church as mass is letting out and am still astonished at the casualness of the dress among the attendees. This country seem to be making a thing out of not dressing up. Heck, I've been to my uncle funeral where the director had to cajole a couple of young men to remove their ball hats. Saying that, I'm 67 and old school enough to at least wear a jacket and tie at such events. Black, I think, is perfectly appropriate for the working wedding photographer.

Dannj

Dress codes have definitely evolved (devolved?). A year ago we were invited to a charity event as guests of friends; the invitation said “Black Tie Requested”. I’m one of a waning number of gents who enjoy getting dressed up on occasion and, looking forward to the event, told my friend I’d have to get my tux out to make sure it still fit. He told me not to bother, a suit would be fine. Turns out he was right. The only black ties were on the guys serving the hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hour.

PS: I got no help with “hors d’oeuvres” on spell check🤪

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Dress code should be part of the contract.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Casual is one thing, but "anything goes" is quite another.