annoying wedding photographers!

[phototone]

A wedding photographer shoots those "cliche" "cheesy" photos because he/she has learned that is what sells. In most cases the photographer has to take charge of the whole progress of the wedding or the various shots that the bride and groom have requested just won't get done. People will wander off, and someone will not be in the photos. A wedding is an exercise in chaos.

I am a professional photographer of 35 years experience. I have chosen to be in industrial photography. I have not, and would never, ever shoot a wedding. I hate the thought, ugh. But I do understand the types of stress and other issues facing a typical wedding photographer.

 

[JoeFriday]

wow.. I took off for the afternoon to blow some film at the county fair and I had no idea that I started up such a controversial discussion

but to set the record straight (or perhaps only slightly bent), I was definitely not criticizing all wedding photographers.. and even this guy took the job seriously

and yes, it's true that the bride/groom had a hand in picking him out, so perhaps they got what they deserved

my comments were more a poorly constructed critique of professional photographers who don't understand how to blend into a situation so as not to disrupt what is considered the most important event in peoples' lives.. that and the fact that this guy didn't even seem to enjoy what he was doing.. I realize how difficult the job is, but wouldn't you get better results by trying to either be invisible or to project a positive/friendly image rather than the stone cold personality this guy had?

anyway, back to the continued rant/anti-rant.. I'm rather enjoying it, too!

 

[dmr]

But wedding photography scares the proverbial out of me and it's the one thing I have always refused to do.

I wouldn't touch a wedding (as a photographer) with a 10 foot pole, make that an 11 foot pole! 🙂 Having had good friends who turned into total bridezillas as the date approached, I would be very uneasy having that responsibility. 🙁

I do appreciate good wedding pictures though and consider it an art form a sort of cross between reportage and fashion photography, if that makes sense.

Is it my imagination or are wedding photographers always men? I've been to seemingly hundreds of weddings, and yes I often pay attention to what equipment they are using, and I never saw a woman wedding photographer. I also get the impression that almost all fashion and glamour photographers are men too.

 

[FrankS]

Not all, but clearly the majority. Kind of like the gender split in the membership here at RFF.

 

[doubs43]

This last wedding I did I had a lot of "help" from Aunt Mae. Always in the way when trying to photograph the wedding party. No, she did not have a rangefinder camera either. Wayne

I always made it a point to address those who wanted to be there when I took group photographs or reception shots such as cutting the cake. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm being paid to take the wedding photographs. Please allow ME to take my shots first and then each of you may take the same shot if you want to. Only after everyone has taken pictures will we go to the next one." That generally worked pretty well with the Instamatic/P&S bunch.

Walker

 

[XAos]

My sister had a female wedding photographer. About the only thing she did that I thought was slightly tacky (but is probably par for the course these days) was direct marketing the guests. I mostly just stayed out of her way and shot a ton of B&W with the XA2's, doing mostly candids. I did go find the pro (after getting the shot myself) when the youngest of my sister's girls (4) was playing on the swings in her wedding dress though. Hurry up and take the cute shot, then try to scold with a straight face. They seem to know when they're being cute enough to get away with it though.

 

[Uncle Bill]

My friend Cathy is a wedding photographer by trade, does editorial work for magazines on the side a shoots landscapes in the desert for fun. She uses a top of the line DSLR from Fuji for wedding work out of necessity of the business. She stopped doing the wedding show circuit in The Greater Toronto Area ages ago just going on word of mouth and having seen samples of her work in her livingroom/meeting area for clients, Cathy will be shooting at my wedding, if i ever meet the future Mrs Smith. The only thing she is using my gear not the digital stuff. Cathy knows how to deal with clients wishes and documen their special day just right.

Bill

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Walker,

I address them also, but every once in a while you will get one that just doesn't get it. Normally I will just stop what I am doing and sit down until he/she gets done with their shots. This particular lady was well meaning, and this wedding was just a favor as the couple are in their mid 70's.

Some of my favorite family photographers came up to me and asked if they could shoot after I am done. One uncle had a Nikon F with B&W was shooting the reception in existing light. We had a great conversation on B&W film and Nikon F series cameras. He was very discreet in his shooting.

Wayne

 

[Rick Waldroup]

I shot weddings years ago. I quickly gave it up after realizing that there was no way I wanted to spend my life catering to a##holes and their families and then realizing that everything I shot would be dumped in the trash two years later after the divorce. I respect wedding photographers. It is extremely hard work. But there is no way I would do it for any amount of money. Life is too short.

 

[dcsang]

I still shoot my share of weddings.
I have one on October 1 that has me a wee bit nervous. I know though, like all the other weddings I've done before, I'll get through it.

One of the things I pride myself on is being able to do whatever the bride and groom want me to do.

I have never looked at wedding photography as "my art" but rather as "my service" - sure, there's posing, yes, there are formals because guess what, parents want formal photos. Even the bride and groom want formal photos - but they do also want candid shots.

I also check with the priest/reverend/justice of the peace/ etc. to verify what can and can't be done in their church/holy house/place of worship/court/city hall. I try to limit flash useage but, as we all know, sometimes it just can't be done - especially on a super bright day when the bride and groom have chosen to have their "formals" done in a park setting (and the park has very little shade) 😀.

But yes, I have heard from some brides and grooms about how horrible some of the other wedding photographers that they have interviewed have been. Some refusing to do anything that is requested; inflexible with their time etc.

As someone else said in the thread; there's a fair share of jerks/idiots/pinheads in every profession. And then there are nice/decent/respectable ones too... but let's not forget; even the best of the best sometimes has a day in which they're not at their best 🙂

Cheers
Dave

 

[doubs43]

Wayne, it sounds like you handled it well enough and that's what counts. If you were doing it as a favor then you can overlook an elderly lady who intrudes a little. Who knows... she could be your next client! 🙂

Everyone has posted good advice and experiences. The part about speaking to the Minister/Parson/Chaplain/Priest/Rabbi prior to the ceremony is especially important to establish ground rules for shooting during the actual event. Some are not bothered by the photographer while others are very strict. Abide by their rules and help keep things running smoothly.

Walker

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I have shot a couple of weddings. I think that the "wedding photographer" that is being kicked around in this thread is created by the "bad photographer" that just not only lacks manners, but common sense, tact, and artistic sensibility.

I've only been the assistant photographer for somebody who has a very artistic, "reportage" approach to the photography of the wedding. I think that is why we get along so well.

You are on your feet 99% of the time, get little rest, don't have time to eat, etc. This goes on for four or eight hours. And then there's the controling mother-of-the-bride. Now that I think about it, perhaps many of those "annoying wedding photographers" have been so run down by the, frankly, beyond-annoying demands of the parents-of-the-couple that perhaps they've developed an "I-don't-give-a-#@$".

Anyway, I am very aware of all these prejudices, and how rude people can be when they're taking pictures, and how others can be when we are taking pictures. Like Lennon said, sometimes you gotta speak to yourself some words of wisdom and "let it be".

One thing that we must realize is, that that is how many, if not some, nonphotographers tend to see us photographers out on the street, who think of us as arrogant walking around with our who-knows-how-to-operate-gadget (camera), taking pictures of things which we have not asked anybody's permission to take in the first place.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I wouldn't touch a wedding (as a photographer) with a 10 foot pole, make that an 11 foot pole!

What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. My first one was quite an eye-opener. After the second one I was "broken-in". It builds character. It also keeps your senses sharp, not to mention your weight in check 😉

Is it my imagination or are wedding photographers always men? I've been to seemingly hundreds of weddings, and yes I often pay attention to what equipment they are using, and I never saw a woman wedding photographer. I also get the impression that almost all fashion and glamour photographers are men too.

Interesting observation. I have yet to meet a male wedding photographer. Karma?

 

[NoTx]

Hey all!

Ok, as for wedding photogs. Ok, I have done some… and hope to do more.

Just some thoughts on those I have shot.

As far as not blending. I use one of two cameras (Contax G film, Olympus E-1 digital). Normally I use a little of both. Reception dinner, blend in and use the G. Do I use the flash? Yep. On a big thing above my camera, I want the best photo I can… and churches are DIM. Do I script? Nope. You do what you do. I do not want to be a wedding planer (haven’t even seen the movie). If you are doing a job, you get the job done.

Now my first wedding… I should have given the sound team sun glasses🙂 I had a big 1000 w/s strobe on remote… and did a few hundred flashes.

Just remember though, if you haven’t done it… it will tire you beyond belief.

However… I try and be polite, and try and insinuate into the crowd… even with a big rig (battery on hip etc). Oh, and the cameras are quiet… an E-1 is in the same class as an M7 for volume.

Dunno… it can be real fun, but a photographer doing it has to remember it is not their wedding. Some forget.

 

[nomade]

I rmember my brother's wedding photographer, elegant man, always walking around with a smile, knows how to get his poses right, and knows how to satisfy u, he was the best wedding photographer i've ever seen...

He's also great with small portraits of kids.

The last one was in a friend's engagement, and he was annoying, he shouldn't have been a photographer, he didn't satisfy anyone and he didn't take any good shots, there were some other photographers (friends) and that's what saved the night.

 

[Erl]

WoW!

It has never cooled down wrt to wedding photographers.When I was starting out, many years ago, I criticized wedding photographers for their general demeanour and appearance.

Someone suggested I don't criticize if I haven't tried it. How would I know what it is like! I saw that as a 'red rag' (I'm a bit of a bull!) so I started. I worked for every wedding photog in town till I realized they were using my work to promote their business'.

So went into business for myself. I learned soooo much about human interaction, the need for speedy and skillful work, etc. All the things you usually DON'T learn on a commercial assignment. I was smart enough (I think, anyway 🙂) to take these skills into the commercial side of photography and exploit them there. My 'real business' was born!

On the wedding side, I placed great emphasis on personal service, attention to detail, eg. wearing matching tie & handkerchief with the bridesmaids, making sure my car was clean, (it doubles as the bridal car at one wedding when the 'real' one broke down!

Always allowing time for guests to take pictures,usually before me so they didn't steal my arrangements, when applicable, but I didn't fuss about it too much.

Why did I do all this?

Because I was determined to turn around the public opinion of photographers in general, wedding shooters in particular. It did work, as other photographers tended in the same direction.

I fear that the wheeel has turned enough now that it is no longer true, obviously with exceptions. Even my style has radically changed over the years. I couldn't lug ther gear I used to any more, and there would be little point.

It is my impression that a greater number of 'weekenders' are infiltrating the wedding photographer business, many do not bring a suitable level of professionalism with them, eg. the observation that started this thread.

I can't think of any other profession that tolerates such incursions into their ranks unchecked, on a professional level.

Enough ranting! I have a drink waiting and must finish cooking my dinner.

Cheers all,
Erl

 

[satbunny]

I have been very disappointed by wedding photgraphers at the last three weddings I went to, two of which were for my children. I didn't choose or select either of them. When my third child is up for a nuptial then I shall carefully choose and vet the photographer.

The words 'arrogant', 'pushy', noisy', 'indifferent to client's needs', 'miserly' and 'not very good photos' come to mind. However, this is just a sample of three. I particularly disliked the 'I messed up one shot so I have no shots left so you can't have the cake cutting picture'.. Sadly I wasn't there for that arguement so I couldn't have simply said 'take it, give me the film, I'll process it if it is so important to you not to process another roll.' I know pro labs cost a lot but we paid a large sum of money and he shot two rolls of 120! Wish I'd got involved in that one.

I will not photograph my children's weddings, my role is different for those days. I have done candid photos at other weddings but I do accept the pressure is enormous.

Noteably both weddings were also videoed by professionals and both are exquisite documentaries of the day...

 

[Erl]

It saddens me that this branch of photography is going in the direction that it is, as I see it.

It is a very difficult and demanding, but can be, oh, so rewarding if approached 'properly'. All of the blame should not reat on the photographer. I blame, in part, the client, for not doing their homework properly. There really is no excuse for having, what in your (the client) opinion, is a bad photographer. Wedding photography is one of the areas where there is (mostly) plenty of time to shop around, examine, crosse-xamine, compare, dictate, whatever turns your dollar on, to get pretty much exactly what you want.

Real life situations demonstrate to me that PRICE over quality ans service, drive a lot of 'bad deals' .

I have lost count of how many (regular) jobs I have lost because I would not cheapskate the deal. In the situations where I get to see the 'competition's' efforts, I know (mostly) that next time around, I will be returning to the assignment, at my price. Not always, of course, because there are better photographers tha me, but they usually charge more again. Ans so, the world continues to revolve.

Sorry for another rave, but I have now had my dinner and some drinks! . . . but I stand by what I say!

O.T. I would love the opportunity to debate this, or any other topic, with you guys live, face to face. I reckon we would agree so much more!! This internet stuff really inhibits understanding, some times, or is it just me?

Peace all,
Erl

 

[jaapv]

Often it is simply a case of :" You get what you pay for". As long as a number the customers tend to look at the price and not at the quality one is bound to get these cowboys in what is- or should be- a fine profession. Having said that, I have been known to "outshoot" the pro on a number of occasions- not because I was the better photographer, which I was not- but because I knew the subjects better and was able to get some shots that were appreciated by the couple. Without getting in the way of the pro of course- it is his living. Only once, not too long ago I had a pro deferring to me 🙂 🙂, I had two M bodies and a Digilux2 with me 😀 and he wasn't very good, using medium amateur equipement and being not very proficient, as the timing on my shots turned out to be a lot better (and the quality too). But most of them- I couldn't do it and certainly not as good.....

 

[Kat]

Wayne,

I know this is OT, but I think that is just so sweet (70+ folks getting married).🙂