Is it ALWAYS the photographers fault?

[ChristopherCoy]

We did two weddings this weekend, and at BOTH of them, it was OUR fault.

At the first one (on Friday), the cake baker failed to put supports between the bottom layers of the cake. So while it sat there through the ceremony, then pictures, it of course started to lean. Well, while we were waiting for the couple to make their entrance into the reception hall, the 'coordinator' came out and told us that we took "entirely too long" for pictures, and that because of us taking so long, "we were now loosing the cake." Are you friggin serious?!? WE are getting blamed because the baker failed to complete their duties properly? SERIOUSLY???

Then, at the wedding yesterday, we were given specific instructions by the mother of the bride to use flashes if we needed it. She was quite adamate that (A) SHE was paying for this wedding, (B) SHE had been a member of this particular church for 26 years, and (C) SHE had brought in her own minister for the ceremony. Weeeelllll.... before we could even GET into the church, the facility 'coordinator' stopped me in the room where the Groomsmen were getting dressed. She was rather snotty in telling me that there "will be no flash in this church, because they have rules," and then started bitching at me about how some random photographer before me was just unprofessional. "Lady... I DONT CARE IF THE COOKIE MONSTER WAS RUDE TO YOU BECAUSE I AINT HIM!!!" Course I couldn't say that, but it was sure running through my head, along with a few other choice words. In any event, we used our flash as instructed, all the while feeling her glaring firey eyed stares on the backs of our heads.

Oh... and I aint even going to get into the wedding last weekend when some random family member bitched at us because we didn't stop the picture taking long enough for her to snap a photo with her DISPOSABLE freakin camera.

[johnastovall]

More good reasons why I would never do a wedding....

[Breezy]

oh my

[groovyone]

I would have politely told the mother that you have to respect the church rules or she may not get ANY photos of the ceremony.

As for th ecake, that is ridiculous. How long did you take for photos before going to the reception?

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by groovyone

I would have politely told the mother that you have to respect the church rules or she may not get ANY photos of the ceremony.

As for th ecake, that is ridiculous. How long did you take for photos before going to the reception?

Well since the mom was signing our check.... I wasn't politely telling her anything but "Yes ma'am..."


And I dont know how long it was for photos, but we were at the mercy of the bride. After we did our 'normal' after ceremony shots in the church, she had a lot of other stuff that she wanted to do. Either way it wasn't like it was an unheard of amount of time. The above came from a 'coordinator' that was basically following people around the reception with a trashbag while they were still trying to eat! They did a good job of rushing everyone out of the reception hall. Had the entire place nearly cleaned up before the couple even made their exit!

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Well since the mom was signing our check.... I wasn't politely telling her anything but "Yes ma'am..."


And I dont know how long it was for photos, but we were at the mercy of the bride. After we did our 'normal' after ceremony shots in the church, she had a lot of other stuff that she wanted to do. Either way it wasn't like it was an unheard of amount of time. The above came from a 'coordinator' that was basically following people around the reception with a trashbag while they were still trying to eat! They did a good job of rushing everyone out of the reception hall. Had the entire place nearly cleaned up before the couple even made their exit!

I would have chosen to respect the church over the check.

Crazy way to start weddings though! How much fun is the reception is everyone is getting rushed? Did the guests even seem like they were having fun?

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Oh... and I aint even going to get into the wedding last weekend when some random family member bitched at us because we didn't stop the picture taking long enough for her to snap a photo with her DISPOSABLE freakin camera.

What, you don't allow Canon shooters to interrupt?

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by groovyone

Did the guests even seem like they were having fun?

Not really. There wasn't much dancing or anything.

I'm not kidding you either. The bride and groom made their exit, and about 2 mins after, we went back in to get our equipment. The lights were full on, the centerpieces were already gone, the tablecloths had been removed, and they had already packaged up the remainder of the cake.... It was nearly like it hadn't happened.

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

More good reasons why I would never do a wedding....

Even if the couple agrees to have tire tracks printed across their wedding outfits and lay motionless for the entire service?

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

More good reasons why I would never do a wedding....

Well I do have to say... this is only my third one assisting my SIL, and I dont know how she's done it this long basically by herself. Having done these last three with her, has pretty much discouraged any dreams of being a primary anytime soon. I'm very comfortable being the 2nd for years to come....

[CaptainTom]

I'm sorry to disagree with your actions regarding flash in the sanctuary.

I'ts actions like this that make life impossible for wedding photographers.
Sure, the mother signs the check, but it's also her responsibility to straighten out any problems with "church gestapo".

Here's hoping you ( or I ) never have to shoot in that church again because the next photographers will feel the rath of the path you have chosen.

I would guarantee that if you told the mom that as a professional you had to respect the rules of the church, she'd be all over the "church gestapo" and you'd either be able to use flash or she would understand why you couldn't.

Get used to it, flash photography is rarely allowed during the ceremony.

Is the photographer always wrong? No. Is the photographer always blamed ? Usually !! try this ( the tiara shooter is in Arlington, Tx)

Here is the listing from the web page from the Church I shot a wedding at yesterday. There are usually additional rules that aren't printed, but this gives you an idea of what you can expect.

Policies And Procedures For Wedding Photographers And Videographers

The ceremony of Christian marriage is a sacred occasion when two persons enter into solemn covenant with God and with each other in the presence of family, friends, and members of the community of faith. The purpose of the ceremony, like that of every worship service, is to praise and glorify God.
Many couples wish to remember this holy occasion through still and/or video pictures. Royal Lane welcomes both professional and amateur photography provided it does not distract attention from worship. To provide couples and their families with photo and video opportunities in keeping with the sanctity and integrity of the worship service, we have established the following policies.
Before the worship service: Photos of the bride and groom and the wedding party may be taken inside the sanctuary before the service and/or at other locations in or around the church building. Any furniture moved during a photo session must be returned to its original position immediately following photo session. Photography sessions held inside the sanctuary before the service must end at least one (1) hour before the worship service is scheduled to begin, allowing musicians adequate time for rehearsal, a sound check and a break.
NOTE: The wedding ceremony begins with the Prelude Music. NO MOVEMENT, other than the wedding party, is permitted in the Sanctuary after this moment.
During the worship service: No flash photography or artificial lighting is permitted inside the sanctuary. Bright lights distract clergy and musicians as well as worshippers. Signage in the foyer notifies guests of this policy, but Ushers are responsible for informing guests as well. While the service is in progress, photographers and videographers may be admitted only to the sanctuary balcony, the location nearest the northeast corner of the choir loft, and may only be used for a stationary video camera (NO MOVEMENT).
Cameras with flash attachments will not be allowed in the worship space any later than thirty minutes preceding the ceremony or any earlier than the dismissal of the congregation by the minister, photographers are not allowed. Photographs may be made in the vestibule or narthex preceding the ceremony, as long as no flashes are aimed toward the interior of the worship area. The wedding party may return to the altar for photographs after the ceremony should they so desire, following the conclusion of the recessional music.
A single flash photograph may be made from the aisle toward the rear of the sanctuary during the Bride’s entrance as long as the photographer goes no further into the Sanctuary than the third row from the rear. Under no circumstance is the taking of photographs to impede the progress of the processional. Flash photographs directed at the front of the Sanctuary are not allowed since they can blind the organist or minister in the process. Time exposures may be made during the progress of the ceremony if made only from the rear balcony of the worship space, out of the view of the congregation, provided they create no noise or other distraction.
A video of the wedding may be made using cameras from either or both of two vantage points: the rear of the sanctuary from the balcony and or just behind and in the stairwell at the column near the east side of the choir loft, (right side if facing the choir loft from the sanctuary). Video taping may use only available light. No additional lighting is permitted. No movement by the videographer is allowed during the ceremony.
NOTE TO VIDEOGRAPHERS: Should you wish to use your own wireless microphones, the wireless microphone frequency for the microphone used by the minister in use at Royal Lane is: 171.905 Mhz.
Royal Lane Baptist Church reserves the right to deny the privilege of access, present and/or future, to anyone who does not comply with the above guidelines. The bride and groom are responsible for ensuring that family, friends, and professional photographers observe these policies in detail. Additional copies are available on request. Ignorance of these rules will not be considered a valid excuse for failing to abide by them.
We deeply appreciate your cooperation on this sacred and memorable occasion. If you have further questions, please contact the church Wedding Assistant at the phone number or address below:
Royal Lane Baptist Church
6707 Royal Lane
Dallas, TX 75230-4145
214. 361.2809

[ka5txl]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I'm sorry to disagree with your actions regarding flash in the sanctuary.

I'ts actions like this that make life impossible for wedding photographers.
Sure, the mother signs the check, but it's also her responsibility to straighten out any problems with "church gestapo".

Here's hoping you ( or I ) never have to shoot in that church again because the next photographers will feel the rath of the path you have chosen.

I would guarantee that if you told the mom that as a professional you had to respect the rules of the church, she'd be all over the "church gestapo" and you'd either be able to use flash or she would understand why you couldn't.

Get used to it, flash photography is rarely allowed during the ceremony.

+1 Chris not following the instructions from the church staff just make's it harder for everyone. If the MOB has a problem with that she need's to take that up with the church Oh and maybe need to put cake supports in the kit bag for the next wedding

[dmora]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

more Good Reasons Why I Would Never Do A Wedding....

+1

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Not really. There wasn't much dancing or anything.

I'm not kidding you either. The bride and groom made their exit, and about 2 mins after, we went back in to get our equipment. The lights were full on, the centerpieces were already gone, the tablecloths had been removed, and they had already packaged up the remainder of the cake.... It was nearly like it hadn't happened.

Amazing. That's a bummer. The wedding I just helped Chris and Ken with was a fun loving group!

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by groovyone

I would have politely told the mother that you have to respect the church rules or she may not get ANY photos of the ceremony.

As for th ecake, that is ridiculous. How long did you take for photos before going to the reception?

Perhaps the church was also deserving of a hint that their policy was unreasonable, so to a degree I respect the OP's action.

However, CaptainTom's reply above does clarify the reason for objections.

Ultimately, the couple should be the ones to decide if flash is acceptable as long as they accept any adverse effects.

I've only shot one wedding on an unpaid basis for a friend, and I had assumed the photographer would have more clout than they really do.

I too had to deal with overly paranoid venue staff.