Wedding guest - what kit?

[Lund]

I usually take a small good looking camera that matches my outfit. Took a Zenit 11 to a wedding once. Relaxed, great images and not that many of them. And an easy way to get talking to people, easy to carry around while carrying a glass of something bubbly. For me, less is more, if I'm not there primarily for the photos.

 

[135format]

Just remember that you are not the official photographer and its easy to make a nuisance of yourself by turning someone elses event into your photo opportunity. Go easy and keep out the way of the official photographer. And I wouldn't use flash for anything. Very easy to annoy the happy couple with an overly powerful flash.

 

[kuvvy]

I used to work as a wedding photographer for nine years and shot hundreds in that time. It's some years ago now and I used to shoot with Mamiyas, tripod mounted and with a more formal look than the reportage way that is more popular now.
I often got guests trying to shoot over my shoulder and 'steal' my setups. I used to announce that they could have five minutes or so to shoot what they wanted and then to head to the reception. This usually worked well. Nobody really minded, although as soon as it was down to them alone, they hadn't much idea as to how to pose the bridal party.
Another reason for a pro not wanting to be surrounded by amateurs is they tend to shout out and distract the bridal party and all you end up with is everyone looking in different directions.

 

[dzeanah]

From a (former) wedding professional, I can say a few things about the pro's perspective:

• It's a stressful day for the photographer, the wedding couple, and everyone else with a stake in the day.
• There have probably been a few mishaps so far. The wedding isn't going according to plan (because none do), which might or might not affect the photo process. Did the bride plan on getting the family groupings shot at the altar (and therefore the photographer's been planning on using his off-camera strobes) but the wedding lady announced just a few minutes ago that either this isn't allowed or that there are only 10 minutes available before the next couple comes through? This happens. Is it raining and the bride was dead-set on photos in the garden? Is there turmoil because the maid of honor went into early labor and couldn't attend, but she's the only one that knows everyone that needs to be gathered for the group photos?
• Posed photos don't need to be a miserable experience, but it's nowhere near as fun as drinking and celebrating with all your friends and family. These need to be done quickly, especially when you've got extended family who are just itching to slip off and hit the open bar.
• The bride paid a lot of money to capture the photos she'll have to remember the wedding day. She's likely spent hours thinking about (and communicating with) the paid photographer to make sure the images match her vision. She's chosen the photographer in part because of his portfolio of work. If she's expecting (or he expects to deliver) a great shot of the cake cutting, then he needs to stand in the best location to capture it. It doesn't matter that you staked out that spot 15 minutes prior -- he's paid to be there to get the best shot per the bride's wishes, and it's not a personal insult if he politely asks you to move slightly. It's his job.
• Everything is on a schedule, and everything is invariably late. When the wedding starts 45 minutes late and takes 20 minutes longer than expected, everything else needs to move as quickly as possible. If photos come after the ceremony then the caterers have been keeping the food warm for an hour already, the lighting is no longer as was planned, and it's time to knock the group photos out ASAP. It's great that you want to take a few minutes to capture your own groupings, but everyone is waiting. And the paid photographer will take the blame for lateness.
• Lots of photographers try really hard to create unique group photos. They don't want you slipping in and shooting your version of their grouping, even if they force a smile. This is worse if they happen to sell photos of the groupings but you want to put yours online for free so everyone can print their own.

It's fun for you, but for the paid guy it's a job he takes seriously, as does the bride. The stakes are high for both of them.

If you're going to take photos, try not to interfere a whole lot. If you've never done it, you don't really understand all the issues surrounding what seems to be a simple desire to exercise your own photo outfit on friends/family.

This isn't to say don't have fun, but try to be sensitive to others' needs.

With that said, if I were to carry a camera to a wedding I'd just take 35/50/90mm 135 equivalents and mostly enjoy the day.

 

[richardhkirkando]

There was a reason he acted like that. HE WAS PAID TO SHOOT, you weren't. People with cameras at a wedding are OBNOXIOUS to photographers.

Yes, he's paid to shoot, not organize the wedding and play camera police. If some random guests having a camera somehow prevents him from doing his job, then he's probably chosen the wrong profession.

 

[bmasonoh]

+1 Very well said. As a photographer who shoots weddings, I can attest to everything stated below.

That's not so say you shouldn't bring a camera. The digital angle is covered. Bring an M and a couple rolls of black and white. And mostly importantly, let the paid photog do his job. Most importantly, enjoy the wedding and the time spent with friends and family.

From a (former) wedding professional, I can say a few things about the pro's perspective:

• It's a stressful day for the photographer, the wedding couple, and everyone else with a stake in the day.
• There have probably been a few mishaps so far. The wedding isn't going according to plan (because none do), which might or might not affect the photo process. Did the bride plan on getting the family groupings shot at the altar (and therefore the photographer's been planning on using his off-camera strobes) but the wedding lady announced just a few minutes ago that either this isn't allowed or that there are only 10 minutes available before the next couple comes through? This happens. Is it raining and the bride was dead-set on photos in the garden? Is there turmoil because the maid of honor went into early labor and couldn't attend, but she's the only one that knows everyone that needs to be gathered for the group photos?
• Posed photos don't need to be a miserable experience, but it's nowhere near as fun as drinking and celebrating with all your friends and family. These need to be done quickly, especially when you've got extended family who are just itching to slip off and hit the open bar.
• The bride paid a lot of money to capture the photos she'll have to remember the wedding day. She's likely spent hours thinking about (and communicating with) the paid photographer to make sure the images match her vision. She's chosen the photographer in part because of his portfolio of work. If she's expecting (or he expects to deliver) a great shot of the cake cutting, then he needs to stand in the best location to capture it. It doesn't matter that you staked out that spot 15 minutes prior -- he's paid to be there to get the best shot per the bride's wishes, and it's not a personal insult if he politely asks you to move slightly. It's his job.
• Everything is on a schedule, and everything is invariably late. When the wedding starts 45 minutes late and takes 20 minutes longer than expected, everything else needs to move as quickly as possible. If photos come after the ceremony then the caterers have been keeping the food warm for an hour already, the lighting is no longer as was planned, and it's time to knock the group photos out ASAP. It's great that you want to take a few minutes to capture your own groupings, but everyone is waiting. And the paid photographer will take the blame for lateness.
• Lots of photographers try really hard to create unique group photos. They don't want you slipping in and shooting your version of their grouping, even if they force a smile. This is worse if they happen to sell photos of the groupings but you want to put yours online for free so everyone can print their own.

It's fun for you, but for the paid guy it's a job he takes seriously, as does the bride. The stakes are high for both of them.

If you're going to take photos, try not to interfere a whole lot. If you've never done it, you don't really understand all the issues surrounding what seems to be a simple desire to exercise your own photo outfit on friends/family.

This isn't to say don't have fun, but try to be sensitive to others' needs.

With that said, if I were to carry a camera to a wedding I'd just take 35/50/90mm 135 equivalents and mostly enjoy the day.

 

[cjbecker]

Yes, he's paid to shoot, not organize the wedding and play camera police. If some random guests having a camera somehow prevents him from doing his job, then he's probably chosen the wrong profession.

Did you not just read the post before yours? I've been through the same and it's all correct. A wedding can be done with uncle Joe Shmoe standing in the way, but it's much easer if he is not.

The bride and groom paid for the photographer, that means they trust him to get the images, Not Joe.

I'm fine if Joe Shmoe understands that he is not the official photographes, has respect for the paid photographer, and stays out of his way. It's the people who think they are entitled to it, that are the problems.

 

[richardhkirkando]

Did you not just read the post before yours? I've been through the same and it's all correct. A wedding can be done with uncle Joe Shmoe standing in the way, but it's much easer if he is not.

The bride and groom paid for the photographer, that means they trust him to get the images, Not Joe.

I'm fine if Joe Shmoe understands that he is not the official photographes, has respect for the paid photographer, and stays out of his way. It's the people who think they are entitled to it, that are the problems.

So, just because a photographer is getting paid, that means he's allowed to tell a bunch of people who he has no authority over in a place that he doesn't own that they're not allowed to use their own personal property? When somebody is paying you, you're generally expected to be polite and respectful toward your customers. Yes, the guests may not have literally handed you the check, but they are people who are close friends and relatives of your customer, people who your customer wanted to be there, feel comfortable and have a good time. No need to be a jerk and ruin a moment that's actually important to them.

Unless you're Kobe Bryant, you can't just expect everything at work to always go perfectly smoothly and for the Red Sea to part for you all the time. If your occupation is "wedding photographer", I'd really, really hope you're aware of the fact that weddings have a lot of people at them. When there are a lot of people around, yes, sometimes it's difficult to get clear shots. But you know what? Sometimes, work is hard. It's your job to figure out how to make it happen, that's what you're getting paid for.

 

[cjbecker]

First when the couple signs the contract that says The photographer can tell people to sit down, or just stay out of the way, then yes the photographer does have authority.

Second do you honesty think a photographer would be an asshole to customers? If he is an ass, would he have a job?

Use your brain.

Wedding photography is not my main job, but I have many shot weddings, Both as main and second shooter.

 

[maxwell1295]

I shoot weddings. Dealing with guests is not that big of a deal. I've been at weddings where guests hovered all over the B&G. There are ways to handle that. IMO, guest have every right to be and take photos. Hopefully they will exercise that right and still allow me to do my job. 99% of the time it works out. What I typically do is allow them to get their shots in first and then say "Okay, it's my turn now." For the most part people get the hang of it. There can be extreme cases where people are right up in the couples' faces during the first dance. At that point, I just motion to them to get out of my shot. In many cases, they're just oblivious to what's going on around them.

FWIW, I've found those DJ/zap shooters be much more difficult to deal with than guests. It's just a matter of time before one of those guys catches an elbow. LOL

 

[Archiver]

When I turned up to the wedding, one of the first things I did was to befriend the photographer. I was always mindful of him and his partner, and made sure that I was out of their way at all times. If they were covering something I made sure I was out of their line of sight, and often behind other people, capturing things that they were seeing.

Many times between their official sessions I would get behind the scenes shots of them working, and of the bridal party watching.

I shoot architecture and interiors for work, and I don't really do people photography, so this was a great opportunity for me to stretch myself and learn some new things. I wasn't sure what I was going to be shooting so I brought a sack full of gear, half of which I didn't use or only used sparingly. For me, two bodies with different focal lengths was key in that situation.

 

[agfa100]

Keep it small and simple, you are a guest and want to have fun, yes/no??? In film days all i would take was a Minox 35 and it's small flash. Now it would be a Nex 3 with the 16mm 2.8. You can take great pictures with simple equipment.....
wbill

 

[Lord Fluff]

It's your job to figure out how to make it happen, that's what you're getting paid for.

Yep, and what you're failing to see it that sometimes you get guests who act like this -

I just smiled and stood my ground, took the shots I wanted

Now I've never been deliberately rude to a guest ever, but in some weddings there simply isn't time to allow someone who is placing HIS OWN NEEDS over and above the needs of the BRIDE AND GROOM (it's not MY wedding he's holding up) by just insisting on carrying on regardless.

As an example - I actually had one guest once try to jump in front of me for every key shot during the ceremony. It turned out he thought he would be saving the couple some money (they told me this weeks later) if he got all those shots himself and gave them to him (failing to see that our work was being paid for already, and he was making a fair job of spoiling it). I can't comment on how 'rude' I was to him, but I did have to explain to him fairly firmly that he simply had to stop doing that.

There's shades of grey here of course, and if possible I let guests take their own versions of the formal shots, and I'm generous with technical help if I can be (no point letting grandma take that shot of the bride with the sun right behind her) but as you say, sometimes you have to 'make it happen' - and there can be times when allowing guests to do exactly what they want doesn’t square with that.