Wedding Guests with Cameras
Thoughts on Managing the Paparazzi
Introduction
I
should really start by saying that personally I don't have a problem with
guests taking photographs, in fact it all adds to the day and the sense of
excitement and besides, to try and stop it would be a little like
trying to command the tide to stop coming in!
Guests have always had cameras and until recently
it has never been a problem,
however the profilation of inexpensive digital cameras is now starting to cause a few
issues due to the sheer volume of pictures guests are sometimes taking.
While
it must be stated that most people are aware and try to keep out of the way,
a considerable number are not although most of these are just
simply unaware or get carried away with their new digital toys!
While
I would certainly never try and stop a guest taking their own pictures, it can
be a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth and so we need a strategy which
allows guests to obtain the pictures they want, without impinging upon the
work of your professional photographer.
It's
important for you guests activity not to interfere with your professional
photographers for one simple reason, as professionals we are recording YOUR
personal set of images of your big day and you are paying a considerable sum
of money for that service. It isn't about our pictures, it's about yours.
The
Problems
First
of all I'll outline some of the problems then later on in the article, suggest
a few solutions that can be employed to minimise them.
Problem
1:
Stepping in front of the photographer to grab a snap.
This
is most common when walking down the aisle, often I can predict somebody is
going to do it and walk forward to block them in so I can still take the
shot for you, however sometimes they are too far away or there are just too
many people doing it.
Problem
2:
Group Photographs - Multiple cameras to look at.
One
thing that is becoming increasingly a problem is people with digital
compacts shooting over my shoulder when shooting the groups. The problem
here is that those in the group are often distracted by so many people
pointing cameras and their attention can be split so they are looking into
different directions, particularly when guests start calling out, which
happens with alarming frequency!
This
is a problem as not only are guests not getting everybody to look at them,
but they sometimes distracting those in the group from looking at me, despite
my best efforts and calls to 'look at me'.
Problem
3:
Group Photographs - Time spent on guests photographs
As
inexpensive digital cameras have become more available, I'm finding that unless
managed, wedding guests with cameras are causing the group photographs to take much
longer than necessary. It's quite common for different guests to be shooting
for around a minute and half for each group during which I must wait to
ensure I have the groups attention.
While
this doesn't sound a lot, the effects are cumulative, over 15 groups we will
have wasted 22 minutes, which is often just over a third of the time
allocated for your posed photographs.
Problem
4:
Group Photographs - Crowding
I
prefer to use a telephoto lens when shooting the groups as it is more
flattering, however most digital compact cameras have wide angle lenses
which means the guests need to be closer up to take the picture, so
guests must stand in front of me in order to take their photograph. Most
guests will move when asked but it
is another delay if I every time I step forward to arrange the brides dress
I have to clear the crowd that has closed in around me again!
Sometimes
the crowding can be so severe I'm forced to switch to a wider angle lens in
order to protect the space in front of group, unfortunately a wider angle
lens doesn't offer the most flattering perspective.
Problem
5:
Taking Pictures of People Taking Pictures
I've
done a few weddings now were the bride and groom have asked for very
informal 'fly on the wall photography',
but all the guests were either taking photographs, or posing for another
guest who is!
At
one recent wedding I shot after I set the confetti shot up I thought it looked odd,
then I realised there wasn't a single man in the group throwing confetti as
every single one was stood behind me with a digital camera! At several other
weddings I've had to ask people would they please put away their cameras and
actually throw the confetti, as everybody wanted to hang back and take
pictures instead!
Problem:
Bride and Groom Portraits
I
always like to take the bride and groom away for the portraits, this is a
great time for you to relax and actually talk to each other and is usually a
very productive time photographically. Occasionally however guests will try to follow us and take snaps. The problem with this is they tend to get
in the way, they will keep chatting to you which demands a reply, during
which I simply have to wait or risk capturing you mid sentence with an
unflattering mouth position.
The
Solutions
As you can see there are a number of ways in which guests with cameras can
effectively get in the way. The next section focuses on how we can minimise
these potential problems without stepping on too many toes. It's important
to keep your guests happy and come up with a solution that still allows them
to obtain the pictures they want. Simply banning any activity has never
worked, even with a police force and judicial system to enforce it!
Allow
Time During the Groups for Guest to Take Pictures
One
solution I employ is to explain to the guests the problem of distraction and
that I will set up each group and then allow 20-30 seconds for them to take
their shots, but to please not take photographs while I am shooting.
Distribute
the Images on CD
One
solution that is effective for most guests is to let it be known that if you are
buying the images on CD, that the CD can be copied by the bride and groom upon request.
If you don't want the hassle of doing this yourself I can provide this
service for the nominal fee of £13.50 per copy. This
takes the pressure off guests feeling they have to take so many pictures,
knowing that they will have access to the professional ones. CD's can only
be released once the full wedding package has been paid for however, so this
does require you to pay promptly.
Make
a Note About Photography in Your Invites and Directions
Let
it be known to you guests that a professional photographer will
be in attendance and to please give the photographer priority and try to
avoid getting in their way.
It's
also worth noting to your guests that as you will be receiving professional
photographs of the formal group photographs, that you would appreciate any
guests who wish to take photographs during this time to concentrate on the
candid moments away from the photographer, which they will be unable to
capture while concentrating on the group photographs.
The
above is a great solution as not only does it alleviate some of the
problems, it may also provide some additional images for you rather
than more variations of the groups taken from slightly the wrong angle.
This
is also a good time to broadcast that a CD of the professional
photographer's pictures can be made available.
For
the very keen photographers in the family
Most
just want to be helpful rather than get in the way. If you have a
particularly keen friend or family member who you know will be taking
photographs all day, the best solution is to ask them to concentrate on the
candid moments away from the official photographer, which he will otherwise
miss, particularly during the groups and other formal photography.
This
will not only prevent them from getting in the way, but can also provide
some additional photographs which the photographer would be unable to get, not being able
to be in two places at the same time.
Copyright: Brian
Parkes 2003-2007