You’ve received you’re beautifully noted wedding invitation in the mail and today is the BIG day… before you grab your camera and head to the Church, please take a minute and read up…
This day is about the Bride and Groom, so I know you would love to provide them with beautiful photos but I hate to say it, they have probably already paid someone to do that… someone they have probably spend hours checking out their websites, portfolios, interviewing, and creating specific wedding day wish lists with.
Here is my anti- camera reasoning, ok not totally anti-camera, but mostly… I’m totally fine with a couple fun girl shots or hanging out at the reception shots BUT ceremony time, reception first dance time, PLEASE put down the camera!
First off, you could be doing more harm than good. There is nothing worse for a photographer than setting up for the perfect shot as the Bride begins her dream walk down the aisle, hand in hand with her father towards her awaiting Groom and as the photographer turns to capture the sure-to-be emotional groom’s expression… Aunt Suzie with her new Canon is standing in front of him trying to get her shots of the Bride… well guess, what, you have just ruined that perfect memorable photo for the couple. This moment has happened before, NO LIE!! And don’t test me because I will 100% ask you to stop and show the Bride and Groom the photos of you standing in the aisle and say this is what happened to that photo. Your flash can also over expose a photographer’s photos if both our flashes fire at the same time. This has also happened before!! Bride and Groom cut the cake and as they proceed to feed each other, guy with a big fancy camera blows out 2 of the 5 photos when our flashes fire at the same time… let’s just say the Bride was not very happy at Mr. Man and his flashy camera. I know you think you are helping but you are actually HURTING!! Come on… I would never bring a cake to the wedding when the Bride and Groom already BOUGHT ONE! or what if I showed up with my Boom Box for us to dance to… seriously, come on PEOPLE!
Second, we know what we are doing. Hard to believe, I know, but MOST wedding photographers (the good ones at least) have been at it a while and know where to stand, when to move (or not move), when to zoom, when a wide angle is better compared to close up… yes, we instinctively know all this without saying anything, it’s like auto pilot. I always shoot weddings with a second shooter, we are a team and they know when I move they move. If the photographer has a really good team with them they will always be aware of where the other photographer is making certain to not get in the shot. You on the other hand, don’t know what the photographer is planning, or when they shoot what angles at what times. The last thing you want is for the Bride and Groom to look through their photos and see you trying to take pictures in the background of all of all their photos. I will ask you to stop.
And third, don’t try to direct. The last thing the couple needs is another camera saying ‘look over here’ or ‘give her a kiss’ or even better ‘let me take that photo again’. Then we have half the group looking at me and half at you= not a good photo. Their day will fly by as is, and the least amount of stress and direction the better. We have already worked out the photo wish list before hand and they know, and the photographer knows, what photos to get, with whom, and when to get it. If you are trying to give photo direction so you can take photos, that is not helping, it is dragging the photo process on longer than necessary and preventing the couple form moving on to enjoy their reception.
In a nutshell, enjoy your camera; take some fun candid photos while the photographer is doing something else. But when it comes time for those big moments (ceremony, kiss, garter, cake, etc.) enjoy the beautiful moment and the celebration of marriage. After all it’s why you’re there, right?!?!
