How would you handle this???

[MemoryMakers]

I shot a wedding over the weekend with the help of my friend James! The entire wedding was a disaster to say the least. Everything went wrong for this bride.

I was in the bridal room getting before shots and another photographer walks in. The bride looks at me and says that she will be shooting too steam coming out of my ears and my blood pressure is elevated. She was in several of my shots, flashing over my shoulder, interrupting my shots and telling me how to do my job.

The very first item listed on my contract states "It is understood that MMP is the exclusive official photographer retained to perform the photographic services requested on this contract."

So, if this was your client, how would you handle this situation?

[bryanlindsey]

Tough one. You are within your rights to walk away, but that seems to be a lose-lose. I would have a brief talk and try to get the second photographer to acknowledge you as the primary and make them stay out of the way (as nicely as possible).

[MemoryMakers]

Originally Posted by bryanlindsey

I would have a brief talk and try to get the second photographer to acknowledge you as the primary and make them stay out of the way (as nicely as possible).

It's over and done with. The other photographer was not nice enough to stay out of my way.

[brad]

Do your job the best you can. There is no benefit in getting in a pissing contest with a bride on her wedding day. Tell the bride once that a second photographer may impair your ability to perform your duties under the contract - that's why the clause is there (even if its because you don't want the competition for after wedding sales). After you tell the bride that once, let it go. Fulfill your end of the contract.

After the wedding, continue to do whatever you can to fulfill your contract.

Any complaints by the bride about missed images or whatever, refer to it as her breach of contract and that you were unable to get that shot because of the other photographer.

If you had bid the wedding with the idea of getting after wedding print sales, then you might have a grounds to go after monetary damages for breach of contract.. but the amount you would get wouldn't be worth the money you'd put into such a contest... and the ill will you'd create might hurt more as well.

Bottom line, I think you have to rise above. And its exactly this kind of no-win scenario that drove me from the wedding business.

[bryanlindsey]

Toss a couple shots (with the other photog in the way) in with what you give the bride, as examples.

[Tom]

I'd kick her in the ovaries!










































*I'd never kick anyone in the ovaries.

[CaptainTom]

I agree with all the above.

It should have been resolved or vocalised as soon as the other photog. arrived.
I would have explained the contract to th bride and if she insisted on keeping the other photographer (probably a friend), I would have fulfilled my obligation and done the best I could (as I'm sure you did).

The problem arises when after the wedding the bride expresses some dissatisfaction and you explain about the second shooter, she'll likely say " You should have said something then and not now."

Hopefully she'll not have any complaints and the issue will never need to be raised.

[kimberley]

well if you already shot the wedding, what are hoping to gain? In the end, you are in charge and sometimes you have to pull them aside and take charge...in the long run its your butt on the line and not the phauxtog, playing business :)

I wouldnt add images that are bad thats just showing you cant handle the situation, let it go move on and be prepared next time if it happens..

[dmora]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

I'd kick her in the ovaries!







*I'd never kick anyone in the ovaries.

[MemoryMakers]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

It should have been resolved or vocalised as soon as the other photog. arrived.

The bride was on her 5th or 6th round of crying about something that was going wrong with her wedding when the other girl walked in. I also had 15 minutes before the ceremony started and the bride was just getting dressed at this point since her dress was with her very late bridesmaid. I didn't feel it was appropriate to discuss right then and there.

I honestly don't feel this other photog prevented me from getting shots but she did make it more difficult while standing directly in front of me and moving from one side of the alter to the other in front of the ceremony. it was just a frustrating situation that I haven't been in before. I will know for future reference to tell the bride, regardless if she's flipping out, to begin with.

I guess I just want to be prepared if she says anything since she complained about everything else that day. I've never seen a bride cry so much before, during and after her wedding.

[donlfaulkner]

Sounds like the makings of a wonderful marriage.

[ngoduyviet]

I'd just keep on doing my job if they were my clients.

Bad as it was for you, it happens more often now with digital. Every wedding, you'll encounter someone like that. One of the weddings I shot at the end of last year, there was a couple of young kids trying to show off their gear at the ceremony, and another dozen or so joined in at the reception. It was so ridiculous at the dance floor that I took out my tele and shot from about a mile away to avoid being in their shots & blow out all of those so-called-photographers.

Some people, you can use tact, others you just need to use a pole, or a tele :)

[revjvegas]

Originally Posted by donlfaulkner

Sounds like the makings of a wonderful marriage.

Funny.
That's exactly what I was thinking.

...but I guess in fairness to the bride, sounds like she was having a rough go at it.

Not very professional though to double book a photog and not inform them. She should have contacted the local community college if she was looking to save money.

[kimberley]

again I hate that this happened to you and it sucks it really does..but "if" she comes back and complains, sadly you dont have much wiggle room, she hired you and if your images arent up to par ( not saying they arent) saying a second shooter messed them up wont be a feasible excuse, IMO...as photogs we incounter obstacles all the time when we are hired, tired toddlers, cranky dads over bearing granny, weapy bride and drunk grooms...ultimatley not matter the issue we "have" to get it right, now dont get me wrong there are time when some issues are too hard to manage...like a hurricane or child throwing up..then we have to do our best...but dont worry Im sure your images will be beautiful and all will go well...

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by revjvegas

...but I guess in fairness to the bride, sounds like she was having a rough go at it.

... wouldn't have been so rough if she weren't a T-total, rant-raving bitch.