iresq Loc: Annapolis MD

Wow, that really sounds professional. I have not seen that done before. Do you wait out in the parking lot and sell from your trunk? And it's easy to outwit us dumb DJ's. What were we thinking. LOL. Your contract is interesting. So no guest is allowed to take photos either? My guess is that you also eat the free food. I'm only poking fun but you phrased this as if the DJ was out to get you.

ShakyShutter Loc: Arizona

This is "Combat" photography at its finest.

Photographers today have to be good, smart and fast. The technicality in this scenario may be in the terminology. "No other Professional photographers allowed"? Does that mean getting paid to shoot or getting paid for what you shot?

DJ drew the distinction by stating the photos he was shooting were for display only and would be turned over to the B&G. All well and good. What do you think the bride is going to do with those digital photos and all the others contributed by guests?

YES!, that's right, Facebook and free albums for everyone!!! Your conversations about future sales will become shorter and shorter as more people have nice cameras, fast computers and Facebook accounts.

Photographers today have my sympathies for being in the hardest and least controllable aspect of professional photography. Bin there Done that back in the good days when we held the negs and no reputable photo finisher would make a copy of a wedding proof.

gsugal Loc: Rhode Island

Thanks to all for their kind words of support.
I'm a 26 year seasoned pro-and felt under the circumstances I'd let the DJ do his thing. The DJ originally stated he was only going to take a few photos and put them up on his screens. ...he was not going to use the photos for any commercial purposes.(his words) HIs assistant, a pretty little red head who didn't know the difference of AV to a Sony TV was shooting in "P" all night on a Canon Rebel. Photos were very average -with no edits-or color /crop adjustments. I think I'm more upset at my self for not nipping it in the bud when I saw the red head kneeling down in the center of the aisle for the entire ceremony. Now two days later I'm seeing four Facebook albums (with 125-165) photos up on FB. I had posted 20 color corrected gorgeous pics of the bride on my FB page. The bride just sent us an email stating she was thrilled. Truth of the matter is my thunder was stolen- I still have to edit 900 photos and get them on my site for the B.G and guests to view by Dec.16th. So maybe we'll see a few sales - as I don't expect any. Yes me and my wife (she's my assistant) sucked it up Frid eve. We realized at the time it is the brides day and didn't want to make a fuss... The wife and I both agree that it won't happen again ..GS

gsugal Loc: Rhode Island

I don't think the DJ was out to get us. I do think he misled us by saying he was going to take some photos to put up on his TV screens. His assistant not only took a great deal more than "some" pics. - not only at the reception but at the ceremony. Now two days later he's on the Brides FB site with all the pics. I encourage guests to take as many photos as they like. But understand we are the photographers and he is the DJ. I suppose it's the quantity (quality is not the issue) and the representation that was made by him when we arrived. I have no idea what the bride requested or agreed to with the DJ. A pro DJ and a pro photographer DO NOT step outside their realm .. I think most will agree. GS

iresq Loc: Annapolis MD

As a pro-dj, I agree. He should not have posted the pics on fb. I would be curious if the bg asked him to do that. But that was not the original complaint.

Berniceb Loc: Oregon Coast & Hawaii

You are a class act. You didn't make the day a problem for the B & G. Thanks. That being said, I always wonder how to prevent someone from pulling some stupid stunt - when I would NEVER- think to do the stupid stunt they pulled. Hmmm, I hope that makes sense. The good news is you can make sure this issue is covered in the future. You also might take one of the little printers and have an assistant sell photos of attendees and other candids at the ceremony. I liked that idea. I have put up collages on wall at events I coordinated. (Old photos of the honoree and family) It would also be an easy sell to set up a laptop, focus and use a thumb drive to string a few photos together for a slide show during the reception. I would only use my more candid shots and you would have to have your assistant there. It could be a delux package - more cost more bells and whistles. Just thoughts. It is too bad, the DJ took advantage. You can stop it in future and maybe use his idea to make you a bit more money. Just thoughts by an consumer.

Wheezie

I've got one up on this!!!!

several years ago while shooting formals in a church, I had to be fast. My assistant was gathering and setting up groups, which I was shooting, about 20 minutes worth. we finished that segment and went outside to a park for the remainder of the formals. a 30 minute trip to the reception location, a few incidentals photos before introductions and in the hall we go. After photographing the first dance I noticed a table near the DJ with a monitor and printer on it. and someone paying money for a photograph!!!!! WHAT THE HECK!!! I now get closer and photos are being made and sold at the hall from the formals that I took in the church of all the groups....seems that the DJ had a "videographer" working with him, and this videographer was also taking stills!

WOW.... I am totally freaked out. Apparently someone was shooting over my shoulder at the church and because of the time restraints and me shooting like the wind I didn't notice. So here is the grandfather getting an 8x10 portrait of himself and the bride for $10.00. "Are ya kidding me!!!"

I calmly and maturely& professionally finished the wedding, spoke to the parents of the bride (I had photographed their other daughter) who were also mortified...

I get home and shoot a scathing letter to PPA (Professional Photographers of America) and their lawyer contacted me right away. He sent a rather nasty letter to the DJ stating that this was "theft of services" and that he had no
right to be selling images that we worked hard to "create". is lawyer came back with "well it's no different that if uncle henry takes a photo over the photographers shoulder!" Only difference is that Uncle Henry was not printing them an selling them at the wedding reception!!!!....(which of course he said his client wasn't selling them, but why was he making change for a $20? This dilema was heard around the world and I heard from a lot of pros in many different parts of the country and overseas.

there is a lot more to tell but I've ranted long enough. You just never know.. when I say that I have seen it all something else happens....

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Hummm, just recalled a man I worked with who lived in an old Detroit walk up. Man next door played the TV toooo loud late in the night. So he plugged in a twisted pair into the reciprocal on that wall... zap TV off and the fuse was in the basement of the building. Just an old story... have no Idea that it could apply to the DJ... but I would advise a remote trigger on the DJ shorting device.

iresq Loc: Annapolis MD

I have to say that I have never heard of a dj selling prints. Not disputing but it has never come up on the dj boards I frequent. Thats total bs. I'm surprised that the bg didn't say anything. Personally, I'd be embarrassed.

Dria Loc: Ohio

I love the idea of the photographer selling prints at the wedding-- granted they aren't touched up--but think about it!
How many weddings have family come from far away---and how many would love to take home a photo that very evening? And those are sales you would never make otherwise! Aunt Jenny and cousin Mary don't order from the wedding photographer but I would bet they would be thrilled to buy pics on the spot to take home.
We have the technology--portable printers that do good jobs form 4x6 to 8x10... Granted it won't the archival--photo-shopped and perfect but it is immediate gratification for traveling guests.

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

i would of giving the DJ & assistant....a offer he couldnt refuse.....man business is business

Carioca

I think you handled it with grace and class. You certainly don't want your name associated with a dust-up in the middle of their celebration.

If I were you, I'd be looking for that DJ on the web, and post reviews of your experience with him. Might as well warn his prospective clients what they're getting into. With photos, that show the assistant interfering with your work.

But then, I'm vengeful like that. ;)

JayT Loc: Buffalo NY

A professional does not back-off, suck it up, or bend over when there has been a material breach of contract.
gsugal
I heard a photographer at a convention many years ago, say - I agree - "that you bend over backwards for your customer, but you don't bend over forwards"

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

I, as a wedding florist, take pictures of our work at almost every event. I found that often times the hired photographers did not provide us with images that would help us promote our business (nor were they hired by the client to do so!)
Having said that, I can't believe that the assistant actually got into the aisle during the ceremony!!! Our business relies heavily on vendor referrals, and we are close to many of the caterers, DJ's, officiants, photographers and wedding planners we work with. I always try to go out of my way to make sure I am not interfering with anyone else. Out of respect, I am obligated to remember who was hired to photograph the event, and keep out of their way, though it often costs me shots.
I see what the photographers go through, and I sympathize with their plight, what with every guest holding up their phone during the ceremony, etc. But ask yourself, what do you gain by storming off? If you are so prideful you feel you must, then say goodnight and go home. But realize you may be doing so for more than the one night.
If another vendor is impeding you in your job performance, you might mention it once- AND ONLY ONCE- to the client. Other than that, your work will suffer more from time wasted trying to control that which you cannot than it would from anything else.
We have problems with other vendors as well- caterers who need flowers for passing trays that wait for us to leave and start pulling them out of arrangements on the tables. You cannot control everything.
The whole Facebook thing... again, you have no control. It seems to be a race who's going to get images up first. Every vendor wants to be the first to post their newest most spectacular event.
Like I was told when the Internet was taking off: The train is leaving the station; you may not like the train or its destination, but it's leaving nonetheless. You can get on and ride with it, or be left behind.

sontog Loc: S. California

Birds, birds and mountains....They are always there. It is so peaceful standing next to my tripod in the wildlife sanctuary, listening to the birds. It gives you such a peaceful feeling. I remember the days I used to do wedding photography. Thank you for the blog. I can see things haven't changed and it makes my decision to give it up, feel so much better.