What would you have done?
So I was the paid photographer at a wedding back the first week of January. The pastor overlooking the ceremony asked that I not take photographs during the actual ceremony itself as he felt it would take away from the couple and be distracting. I didn't have a problem with this at all. HOWEVER, there was a guy there who claimed to be a profession photographer and who does in fact have his own website, etc., etc. who sat in the back pew of the church and clicked away throughout the ENTIRE ceremony. The church was small, so the clicking of the shutter was very evident. Here I was, the paid photographer not allowed to take photographs, and here he was clicking away. Needless to say, the bride said afterwards that she found it very distracting. He then posted these pics on his Facebook fan page and asked the bride if she would send him the photographs that I took. She didn't hire this guy for a reason and refused to send him the photographs that I took. Being the professional that I am, I didn't want to cause a scene for the bride and groom on their big day and say anything to this guy (hey - stop clicking away jerk). Being fairly new to this business, how would you guys handle someone like this?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Shane E. on -
Whatever this guy does at the wedding isn't your responsibility. Just because he has a camera, too, doesn't make you siblings. You don't have to say anything to him, if he isn't in your way.
However, if a pastor sets rules I feel interferes with what I have to do, I usually ignore them or consult the client (bride). In this situation, I would have explained to the bride that the pastor doesn't want any pictures taken. If she is okay with that, then so am I. If she looks like she might throw up, getting banned from a church isn't so bad, especially if they don't allow pictures there anyway. So, I would still take important shots. But, if the bride says she wants to respect the rules, doesn't want pictures, whatever, then it sounds like a coffee break.
I couldn't care less what other people do in the church as long as they aren't interfering with my work. Half of the time, they are all using flash when I can't anyhow.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Holzworth on -
as long as you don't make a scene, i.e. going up front during the ceremony, then i would've fired away. does your camera have a silent shutter mode?
also, usually catholic churches are the worse about rules, and they will be sure to tell you the rules, but yet everybody in the crowd has some sort of digital camera and is breaking the rules.
crazy.
but as shane said, the pastor/priest isn't the client and you have to make your client happy.
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Permalink Reply by Jessica on -
I've heard about not being able to use flash during a ceremony, but I've never heard of a photographer not being allowed to take pictures at all during the ceremony. How odd.
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Permalink Reply by Jacob Zimmer on -
There are two issues here: 1. Do you follow the pastor's rules? 2. Do you enforce the pastor's rules?
Shane is right that the bride is your client, not the pastor. But the pastor is the host and the church is his "territory" (unless you are Baptist). But if indeed she agreed to the pastor's rules, then if I were you I would have shared the rules with the other photographer. If you walk into a home and they ask you to take your shoes off and you see another guest wearing shoes, its ok to tell them the house rules.
Church weddings are in fact worship services and taking photos surely can be distracting. What I do is "reenactments" after the ceremony. I ask the pastor, bride and groom to pretend they are taking vows, lighting candles, praying and so on. Then I get to pose them how I want and not interfere with the worship service.
Now, he asked the bride to send him your pics? Huh? What? Why?
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Permalink Reply by Douglas C on -
The bride is the client, going to the rehearsal is a way to find out the minister and church rules. A guest, or competing photog, snaping away has nothing to do with you.
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Permalink Reply by Charles on -
A long zoom lens and a monopod, if it's a large enough church.....and as long as your given that option as an alternative.
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Permalink Reply by Nina Greipel on -
I really wanna know now why he wants the bride to send him your pictures? Why?
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Permalink Reply by Jami Guess on -
Is he planning on making an album?
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Permalink Reply by Christy Lochner on -
That's what I was wondering? Why else would you want the other photog's pics?
Jami Guess said:Is he planning on making an album?
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Permalink Reply by Christy Lochner on
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The pastor said the "clicking" of the shutter was distracting...
Jessica said:I've heard about not being able to use flash during a ceremony, but I've never heard of a photographer not being allowed to take pictures at all during the ceremony. How odd.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Holzworth on
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i smell conspiracy. i bet the pastor and this photographer had it all planned out! you really can't rust preachers these days!
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Permalink Reply by Christy Lochner on
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That's hilarious -- never thought of a conspiracy....but, hmmmmmm got me thinking now. :)
Jason Holzworth said:i smell conspiracy. i bet the pastor and this photographer had it all planned out! you really can't rust preachers these days!
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