Weddings.... Dress code??

[djotaku]

At my wedding the photog wore black pants and a white dress shirt. Frankly, all I cared about were how the photos turned out, but I'm not as shallow as most people about how photogs, videogs, etc have to dress. Jeans and a polo would have been fine as long as the photos rocked. And, most likely, that's all anyone's going to remember.

[JerBear]

Originally Posted by djotaku

At my wedding the photog wore black pants and a white dress shirt. Frankly, all I cared about were how the photos turned out, but I'm not as shallow as most people about how photogs, videogs, etc have to dress. Jeans and a polo would have been fine as long as the photos rocked. And, most likely, that's all anyone's going to remember.

Shallow? Shallow is someone who is paid good money and thinking that their "Artistic ability" excuses them from dressing without regard for the clients feelings. Now that IS shallow....

JM

[wesshepherd]

My first wedding I wore a suit and tie to blend in with the guests. That was tough for a couple of reasons, the first being I was shooting from 11:00 a.m. until midnight, and the shoes and tie killed. Also, blending in with the guests may mean you get treated like one. For some important shots I was actually being heckled by other guests for standing in the way while they were trying to see what was happening! With all the pro-looking camera equipment around these days, some people just think you another guy with a camera.

I was at a friend's wedding recently where they hired 2 photographers who spe******ed in the photojournalism style. Both (male and female) were dressed in black pants (not jeans) and black turtlenecks tucked into the pants. This looked professional enough, distinguished them from the guests, and also left lots of exposed belt-space for clipping on battery packs and gadget bags, which would have been impossible if wearing suits.

I was also at another wedding where the photographer showed up 8-months pregnant (which she had no control over) and wearing a skin-tight white spandex top (which she had plenty of control over) which really made it seem like she was trying to upstage the bride with both her clothing colour choice and her pre-maternal condition.

I think at the end of the day, clean, presentable, understated and professional in both your dress and manner will prove satisfactory to the client.

[FDCPR]

I have followed this post from the beginning and normally wouldn't respond as I am not a professional photographer. But, since I am a professional in another field and operate my own business I am going to offer a few pointers. First I see no response in this thread from another photographer in Mexico, I highly suggest the original poster seek some help locally on this issue. I offer this suggestion because the culture is different. I am a non-latin living in a latin environment and have observed several pro photogs fail for reasons that never should have taken place. The first situation was an established pro that did great work, but in his mind he thought his work could overcome the local customs. For years he dressed as the rest of the wedding guests, then one day he shows up dressed casual for a formal wedding. The result was that almost every person was commenting about him. The following Monday he started to get cancellations of the upcoming weddings. Few months later he was out of business. The second pro I saw decided to move into weddings, he did the pre-ceremony photos casually dressed. When he arrived to the church dressed the same way, he was met at the door and not allowed in. A second shooter ended up doing that particular wedding and the one trying to break into that area never succeeded. Mexico and Puerto Rico is totally different, but you should recognize your local customs and adhere to them if you want to be successful. My feeling is you dress to match the function, if it's formal you be formal, if it is other then match that. In my profession I have to match the situation, some bid meetings I attend require a suite, while some require jeans. There have been numerous occasions when I have been in a customer site dressed in a suite and after a meeting find out they need help for some situation at that time. I have no hesitation of doing my job no matter my dress, I have ruined several suites, but it is my livelihood and the price of clothing or the uncomfort is nothing compared to the gains.

[metalpam]

I shoot weddings and am working on finding the perfect work clothes. I wore a dress to one wedding and do NOT recommend that! I was most comfortable in a nice blouse and dress pants with my comfortable black sandals. They're not "dress shoes" but they still look nice under dress pants.

Whoever said wear a tux has obviously never worn a tux to shoot a wedding. I make my husband (who assists me sometimes) wear dress pants, black sneakers, button down shirt and a tie. He whines about the tie. haha.

I think the tie should be worn to "tie events" (I think it can be slipped off at the reception and no one will care) but tux? That's crazy. I'd never wear a business suit to shoot an 8 hour event that involves squatting on the floor and running around. I've never gotten so much as a look from anyone.

[Perry]

I shot weddings for 5 years or so. I always wore the same thing. Black dress pants and jacket with one of those button-less "fashion" type dress shirts underneath. Sort of a mock-turtleneck. The kind English professors like to wear. They're soft and comfortable and you don't need a tie, but they're dressy enough on their own. Under all that I always wore Under Armour to stay cool and dry. That's really the key. That Under Armour stuff is the best.

Your job at a wedding is to look professional and NOT stand out. Think of yourself as a photo ninja. You want to get in there and get the shots but be completely undisruptive to the guests.

I've seen photographers wear Hawaiian shirts and jeans to a wedding and it makes me so mad that they're giving our profession such a bad reputation.

[metalpam]

>Think of yourself as a photo ninja

hahaha

>I've seen photographers wear Hawaiian shirts and jeans...

Hunter S Thompson is NOT a good fashion role model for work attire!

[sacosme]

I have to agree with what seems to be the majority here. I've only shot two weddings so far, but I've worn black pinstripe pants, a nice black blouse, and black sneakers. It looks dressed up enough for a wedding, the black + my gear sets me apart from the guests, and it is comfortable. Like someone mentioned earlier, sometimes I have to climb a ladder or be down on the floor as well as lots of other strange positions to get the shot. Having comfortable clothing that lets me move and doesn't make me worry that I will *flash* anyone is very important so that I can concentrate on the job at hand.