Comments on: A Fly on the Wall – 10 Tips for Wedding Beginners

By: Carlos Graça

Carlos Graça — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:58:12 +0000

Nice post on your point of view on a wedding photo shoot, love that you put your foot down and do what you´re their for, and this is how it should be, the book has to come out great or even amazing, and thats what has to be done to get more clients, The cheeeeesy photos of people all in one shot, or always smiling at the camera are not a must, and in the church of course you cant go around geting in the way of the ceremony, a tip I saw a while ago is to know the people you are going to shoot, have lunch or dinner with them before, find out what they like and want, knowing them only make you more comfotable, when you have to put your foot down…

By: radj

radj — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:38:49 +0000

Appreciate the table shots tip much. Thanks. :)

By: Alex - Suffolk Photographer

Alex - Suffolk Photographer — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:59:40 +0000

@Jim and Elizabeth.

Interesting to see both points of view in regards to shooting in a church.

As for Jims quote ‘ you’re a guest’, yes, we wedding togs ARE guests in the church, just as the priest would be the guest in our studio. While most of us behave accordingly, there are some who spoil it for others by doing exactly what Elizabeth said not to (fisheye from under the altar? :D)

Elizabeth, you’re also correct that we are paid vendors who have a job to do, so we do need to do it – the trick is to be as unobtrusive as possible. That’s probably the hardest skill for any aspiring wedding tog to learn, being part of the scenery.

I’m sure it goes without saying, but we must also respect the occasion at all times.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:09:52 +0000

I’ve been asked to photograph the wedding of a friends kid. I told him that I was amateur at best but he didn’t care. Thank you for posting these tips. It is a Halloween Wedding and it scares me a little.

By: Elizabeth Halford

Elizabeth Halford — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:12:32 +0000

@jim: thanks so much for taking the time to read! However, I must reply to your comments as I quite strongly disagree :*) The photographer is not a guest, they are a hired vendor the same as you the officiant or the caterer and if a couple hires me, it is because they like my style which is not to stage photographs. That may have been ok circa 1980, but these days, many photographers strive for a photojournalistic ‘reportage’ style and as we all know, photojournalists cannot re-stage moments (exe: “oh shoot could you please drop that bomb one more time I didn’t quite get the light right”) or events by their very nature as it is our job to catch the real moment the moment it is really happening and this involves movement around the scene, however not IN the scene which I did mention in my article (dont rest your camera on the priests’ shoulder for goodness sake!) :)

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:39:22 +0000

You write: “You were hired and everyone knows that so don’t worry about moving around and shooting from behind the priest if it’s appropriate.”

As a Lutheran pastor (and sometime reluctant wedding photographer) I have to tell you that you are a guest in the church. Act like it. I have never met a professional photographer I did not like and all the professionals I’ve met have conducted themselves accordingly.

We’ve “restaged” the exchange of the rings, lighting the wedding candle, receiving the Sacrament, etc. and in the restaging the photographer had carte blanche in getting the best shot possible.

As a sometimes reluctant wedding photographer, I respect the worshipful nature of the wedding service and will not violate it. The people for whom I’ve shot (always gratis) are pleased with the outcome (they couldn’t complain anyway–after all, the got what they paid for!)

By: Jen M.

Jen M. — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:52:28 +0000

Great tips, however I think Ian was right: If you’re not a big people person (*waves*) weddings probably aren’t your venue. I’ve already been asked at least once if I “do” weddings, and I had to decline.

I think having a good, good, good photographer–the RIGHT photographer–for a wedding is essential. I applaud those among us who do this and do it well. :)

Jen M.
JenniferLynn Productions, LLC

By: Chris Ridley

Chris Ridley — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:38:56 +0000

Great article, thanks for sharing.

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:27:58 +0000

this had been one of the most inspiring article on doing wedding photography for new birds like me. thanks for your time and effort to share your experiences and i find them really useful and acts well for the small little reminder and pieces of advice.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:02:06 +0000

Thanks very much for this enlightening bit of info on weddings! I’m shooting my first official one tomorrow here in Dubai (shot some unoffically – family weddings). Although an actively professional fashion photographer, this still does seem a little nerve wracking, but I’ve take on board what you’ve said!

Thanks again,
Michael