Comments on: Wedding Photography Tips: From a Celebrants Perspective

By: Carter

Carter — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:20:30 +0000

If you need the officiant for a picture after the ceremony, its always nice to shoot that picture first.

By: Carlo

Carlo — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:07:55 +0000

Good suggestions and tips otherwise, as a professional wedding photographer I must say that solutions must be adpated to each different nad particular needs of the couple you are in front of…

By: themisfit

themisfit — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:52:21 +0000

Thanks for the great tips, it’s easy to forget the other peoples (wedding party, minister, and guests) point of view.

By: Matteo

Matteo — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 15:27:43 +0000

Do picture that your clients don’ t remember you shoot! This is the trick.

By: Alejandro Z.

Alejandro Z. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:34:35 +0000

As a one-time unofficial wedding photographer, I have one tip for those in my situation: let the pros do their work. Try to be unobtrusive. Use your flash as little as possible. Rely on fast glass. Try to get original shots that official photographers won’t be taking, while letting them do their job. Ignore friends or family asking you to do otherwise. Just enjoy the occasion, and don’t worry about getting dozens of good shots.

By: J. Eaton

J. Eaton — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:04:09 +0000

We solve this very simply.
1. From the time the couple arrives at the end of the processional until they are recessing down the aisle, all photographers must be seated. Photographers are never permitted in the chancel during the service, so there is never a question of taking pictures from behind or the side. On the (relatively few) occasions when a photographer violated these rules, I stopped the service and simply asked the photographer to be seated. In a couple of cases where I felt the behavior was intentional or repeated, I simply banned them from our building.

2. We emphasize to the couple and the photographer and to the people that this is a service of worship. I try to create a cordial relationship with photographers and I respect they are doing a job. I insist in exchange that they understand photography is not the main purpose of the event and that there is an appropriate dignity that must be maintained.

Truth to tell, I rarely have any problem with professional photographers; it’s the guys like me that are a problem. I mean: Uncle Don who has a DSLR and a couple lens, a big flash and has read one article on wedding photography and part of strobist.com and he is determined to look and act like he imagines a real wedding photographer would look. Those guys can make you nuts!

It’s interesting how many of us are clergy and photographers. Hmm….

By: Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:55:33 +0000

I seem to be one of many who don two caps when it comes to photography and ministry and I can only endorse what is said. there is one very irritating habit that needs to be mentioned. Most photographers respect the reverence but forget that congregants also want to see what is going on in front. Rather shoot from behind the couple or from a side view.

By: J. Eaton

J. Eaton — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:29:18 +0000

This is a great article. I also am a minister and photographer. One thing that should be underlined is the part about the photographers who get recommended. I not only keep cards and make recommendations, I have in the past had a (thankfully small) list of photographers who were banned from our church because of problems. So simply from a business standpoint, it makes sense for photographers to be on good terms with clergy.

One thing we are phasing in as part of our wedding planning process is a sheet that clearly lists our rules such as no flash during the service, no moving around, etc., and asking that couples give this to the photographer. In the near future, we’re going to require that it come back, signed by the photographer.

We’re also exploring the possibility of trademarking our building and then requiring a license for wedding photographers at the church.

Finally, it always interests me how photographers relate to my little suggestions about how to photograph in our building. I find that the older, veterans tend to be very interested. I always clearly distinguish this from any other comments, often with a comment like, “Of course, I’m an amateur but I find…” One guy went out of his way to thank me; he said, “You may be an amateur but you shoot in here all the time; I’m here once or twice a year.”

By: J Miller

J Miller — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:33:07 +0000

Solid advice, All should consider it.

With over 1700 weddings photographed, we have rarely had any issues with the locations we shot at.
When we are commissioned to photograph a wedding, we request that the couple ask if there are any conditions that their photographer will be presented with the day of their event. In our final meeting with the couple, going over the planning, we let them know that while we are at the location, we will adhere to all rules and request made by the officiants.

One thing that always pushed my button, was that while we were obeying the rules, the guest would run wild with Flashing, running around, etc and ruin the atmosphere of the moment.

By: Pat

Pat — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:36:12 +0000

An excellent article! Being the wedding photographer I am always respectful of minister's requests regarding photography. I guess some photographers do not however, as I have had some very grumpy ministers in the past :-) t only takes a small minority to tarnish the brush for everyone else. When I am allowed to photograph during the service I keep photography to a minimum just capturing the key moments such as exchanging rings especially if I'm by the alter. Apart from that I wait for the next hymn before rattling off a few general shots. PatB Photography