moptopper52

I did not allow family members or friends to "shoot" along beside me...I excluded that in contract. If challenged, I explained that I had invested a lot of money in lighting and equipment, plus the extra time it made guests wait! I politely but assertively stated to the audience that they need to wait until I was done to take any "photos" (I did "portraits"). I slaved my lighting by radio so even if they shoot they wouldn't get the portrait quality I had. I have heard of pro's sabatoging amateurs by placing an inconspicous flash pointing back at camera to "blow out" their images...a bit mean-spirited, but effective.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Radio would be better than when I slaved my lights. No one could access the lights unless they got really lucky.
This thread and your others should have gone into the wedding section...http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-118-1.html

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

It doesn't bother me one way or the other, I always tell them they can shoot but no flashes please.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Me, just the opposite, admittedly only shot a few weddings. If you can not stop the tide then take advantage of it. **

The "amateur" photos were selectively added to the slide show ... the "pro" [which I am not] can not be every where at once. The friends and family do not pix pick so their photos are fine for the 50" HDTV wedding book. Gone are the days of the paper wedding book... "Times Are A Changin' according to Bob Dylan ... Please heed the call... Don't stand in the doorway... Don't block up the hall... For he that gets hurt... Will be he who has stalled"

**King Canute “So great, he could command the tides of the sea to go back”. ... It did not work of course!

NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

At both of my daughters weddings the attendees were told not to shoot till after the program was done, the problem we used would pose and shoot and than wait a few seconds for the cell phone crowd to shoot. I also set up my laptop and asked all the guests to let me download a copy of all they pics they took made for a great slide show for a keepsake

aellman Loc: Boston MA

This a very personal business decision, and I'm not arguing with yours. But I have taken the opposite approach. I see part of my job as a wedding photography is being a "good will ambassador." With most of my weddings lacking a party planner role, I end up being the traffic cop, orchestrating events, like first dance, cut cake, etc. In order to do that effectively I need to build a friendly and helpful relationship with the bride, groom, and family members. Part of that is not setting up a lot of hard "rules." If people want to shoot with their cell phones over my shoulder, so be it. I do tell them to wait until they see my flash fire, which usually works.

buldog216 Loc: Boynton Beach, Florida

I usually let them shoot, but after I have taken my shots

Ron SS Loc: Silver Spring, MD

I come from both sides - photographer and guest shooter. While first learning photography, I borrowed a friend's Rollei TLR (70mm f/2.8 taking lens, 70mm f/3.5 focusing lens) and shot a 12 exposure Kodacolor roll at a friends wedding. I was embarrassed when the mother of the bride had the hired photographer put two of my shots in the album. Now as a part-time free lance photographer (my primary income is my retirement annuity) I shoot for hire and for friends and relatives for fun. I always ask the hired wedding photographers what restrictions they wish to put on me, and observe them. Confident competent photographers allow me to do what I want as long as I don't block their shots or distract at posed shooting. One high end photographer several years ago with over $10K flash triggered lighting equipment set up for the dance floor told me he has no problem with guests. His equipment recycled very fast and the guest shots would be good because his strobes would light up the background for them. Most would never realize why their shots looked good.
Guests will also provide pictures of family and friends and side stories that the hired wedding photographer doesn't have time to do with his must get shot list.
I allow others to shoot when I am the hired gun, as long as for the posed groupings, they wait until after I take my shots. Otherwise someone will be looking at the wrong camera. This does take more time but the couple's guests enjoy the event more, especially in being able to share their pictures.

The purposes are happy bride and groom and family, AND guests having good memories from the event.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

aellman Loc: Boston MA

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I have a hard and fast rule of NEVER shooting weddings. However, I've done a few. I always allowed people to shoot, but not at the same time I do. And I made sure I was in the prime spot and no one got in front of me - they had to be behind me. The last wedding I attended, the photographer had everyone leave the building while he did the set-up shots. He did the family shots first, then shooed them out also.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

There is a concept of customer-friendliness (sometimes called "customer first") that cuts across all businesses. The kind of Draconian approach you mention must turn many people off to this photographer's personality and negatively affect his/her reputation. It's not all about clicking the shutter; it's also about forging a bond with clients, relatives and guests during a very emotional and important milestone in their lives. If you look at the top wedding photographers, you'll see that their personalities and people skills are as important to their success as their photography. >Alan

sploppert Loc: Rochester, NY

As a professional wedding photographer I spent a lot of time and money to learn my profession. I will tell the guest if they want to take pictures do so without flash also I tell them that they can have their time with the Bride & Groom after I'm done if time allows and the Bride & Groom are willing. Time is usually short to get what I need before we have to leave the church. I am being paid for my work and if I have to wait for the guest to take their pictures it takes time away from me. Besides I don't do the posing so others can get good shots those are mine. If they want to pose them after I'm done have at it. It's usually hot in the church and the bridal group have had enough by time I'm done. This is the Bride & Grooms day let them enjoy it. You'll have all the pictures you want at the reception.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Actually, he is a top photographer in that area. I saw no one take umbrance. After the family shots were taken, people were simply asked to go to the reception hall and the doors were closed. I assumed that's what the bride and groom wanted - and THEY are his customers of the moment.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Understood. As long as there's a happy customer, it's all good.