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Wedding..non-primary photog..help


fursan

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Doc, once again my gratitude for your advice. I know the husband and family since primary school and I shall definitley have inside access. Oh, the opportunities are tremendous, but I am confident only when I photog for myself and not for others. Therein lies my trepidation.

Best.

Fursan,

so it's very good for you :)

another picture :

How to make a knot of tie one hour before the ceremony ?.....and it's a queue :D

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I don't want to spoil this; but I'd be very careful about doing this.... until you actually shoot weddings for lots of money... <snip>...you have no idea of the burden of responsibility, under really extreme expectations and pressures it entails..

 

Gosh - that's all rather alarmist, isn't it?

 

I do shoot weddings for lots of money and frankly have no problem with anyone taking pictures. I even lent an M7 with a roll of film in it to someone at a recent wedding as he was dismayed at forgetting his camera.

 

Guests with cameras are normal and expected. I haven't met a decent professional photographer who would be at all concerned or compromised by a family member taking discrete pictures. It's one of those facts of life that wedding photographers just work around - same as they do with unpredictable light and bad weather.

 

I've always kept in mind that it's a celebration of family and friends - so it's their day, not mine. As a photographer I wouldn't dream of interfering with anyone's fun.

 

Just my thoughts.

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Well, you've got some great advice here all-round, and I'd take Neil's and Riccis's advice to heart especially.

 

The one thing you said that I'm going to comment on was "I'd be more comfortable as a guest"---so make sure you take some time as a guest.

 

Seriously... you've known these people for years, so enjoy the moments and don't be pressed into doing something you don't want to do.

 

On guests getting in the way, it is true that with the ubiquity of cameras it can be a problem sometimes, and I've had to ask people to move on occasion, but it's always been friendly. OTH, I've seen some guests experience the whole event through a viewfinder, which is clearly not right.

 

I do have a clause in my contract that I'm the only photographer at the wedding, and that while I'm shooting, no-one else is shooting. While that means "pro" photographer to me--I expect the guests to have many many cameras--the second part of that is important for formal shots.

 

I will not have anyone, even with a cell phone, shoot a formal group when I am doing this. The reason is simple: though I can cut and paste people's eyes in PS after the fact I simply don't want to, and I want them all looking at me when I press the shutter.

 

After I'm done, I let everyone shoot anyway, and I snipe their formals ;) But that's the only restriction or reservation I have about shooting: I try to do the formal shots quickly and get them out of the way.

 

FWIW, videographers with tripods and additional lights (who don't know anything about light or ambience) are far more intrusive than any guest!

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I used to shoot weddings but haven't done one now for a few years, although I've got a colleague who has asked if I'd do their wedding next year.

 

As there is an official photographer already you aren't under too much pressure so have fun with it. Take more informal/candid shots of the day, and the reception party. There's no need to shoot the same images that the official photographer sets up (and yes its very annoying when people hinder you or get in your way!).

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Doc, Neil, Jamie and James..

 

I am truly grateful for the wonderful advice I have got from you and others on this forum.

Whatever, the decision I make, your good and experienced advice shall has ensured that it shall be an informed one.

 

Thank you and best regards.

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By the way the pro photographer is there to do a job. He, or she, is being paid to do it. Who cares what they think of you being there? If they are nice you might learn a few tricks of the trade. If not, ignore them. A good one will know that a lot of their business comes from recommendations and other guest's impressions of them. A bad one will be judged on the way they deal with the guests.

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  • 3 weeks later...

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Hi Lovely people...

 

Thought I should give you folks a follow-up on the wedding..

 

1. never again.

 

2. it ain't easy at all. those who are pros deserve to get paid..and good!

 

3. two shots that i took turned out to be the most requested. > 50 copies requested.

 

4. my lux 35 asph + M7 got knocked over. M7 ok. lux lost its orange dot!

 

5. thanks for all your help...it helped me get thru the night.

 

6. i am a lousy photog.:(,

 

Regards.

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" 1. never again." .................... :D

 

" 3. two shots that i took turned out to be the most requested. > 50 copies requested." ... Excellent !

 

" 4. my lux 35 asph + M7 got knocked over. M7 ok. lux lost its orange dot! " ...... :(

 

" 6. i am a lousy photog." ........................... NO. You're not.

 

 

 

. . . . . . . :)

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1. never again. ..... Now this one is under your belt there'll be lots more requests.

 

2. it ain't easy at all. those who are pros deserve to get paid..and good! ..... We do, don't we. :D It gets easier the more you do, but then the goal starts to move and the quality improves and the pay gets better.

 

3. two shots that i took turned out to be the most requested. > 50 copies requested. ..... 50x£20 = replacement Summilux.

 

4. my lux 35 asph + M7 got knocked over. M7 ok. lux lost its orange dot. ..... How did your camera get knocked over ? On a tripod ?

 

6. i am a lousy photog.:(, ..... Nah !, just a new experience.

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James,Ivan, Rolo...you folks are too kind.

 

The lens and cam are ok. it was on a tripod and some family members walked right into

my back!

 

Went to the son's father house to show the prints and they were passed around to guests

who wanted copies and their friends called to have copies etc. I just gave the negs/cd to

the father. No charge.

 

Nice of you guys to say so, but I know my limitations...of my talent and patience at gatherings!:eek:

 

Once again, I am grateful for all your help. Thanks

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