Problems With Videographers?????

[Rod Bishop]

I saw a thread here recently talking about problems with videographers shooting still photographs during pre and post ceremonies and during the reception. I recently saw photographs taken by a videographer from one of my weddings in his website portfolio. I have spoken with this videog who says he has it in his contracts he is allowed to take still photos and use them.

I am curious how many photogs this is happening to? Also, who are the videogs? Furthermore, do we even care? Should we get PPA involved? What do think?

[Noe]

When i used to do wedding videos we would take stills so that we could use in the covers and menus of the DVD. I never offered the pictures for sale. If the customer contacted me about a certain picture they saw on the cover or menu, then I would sell them, but that did not happen to often. I also had it in my contract that I would be taking pictures for thooose purposes. I always introduced myself to the photographer and let them know what I was doing. I am not sure how much that would affect your sales after the event. If sales after the event are a big part of your income I can see your concern, otherwise I wouldn't be too concerned about it. In my case, the photographers pictures where way better than the ones I took.

[Rod Bishop]

Thanks for the input Noe. I think part of this is born out of this videog trying to start his own photography business in conjuntion with his DJ and video business. He is trying to be a "one stop shop".

[Noe]

There are a few people that I know that do that, but they won't be around in the long wrong, at least not with the clients that are willing to pay good $$$ for quality work. Friends that went with one stop shop regret not paying for quality.

Noe

[MarkM]

We have a video production dept. in the studio, so I can see both sides of the coin here.

I've shot weddings while working with a videographer and visa versa.

I think any pro will respect another pro's reason for being there. It's the non-pros that might cause problems.

[Slight Clutter]

I don't think the problem here is so much with the videographer as it is with the client-photographer. If the videographer has a contract that states that he or she will be taking photos, then it is certainly their right to do so. The problem arises when the client has also signed a contract with the professional photographer stating that the photographer will be the exclusive photographer at the event. In this case, it is the client who is violating the terms of the contract. The videographer is just trying to doing their job.

[HotHolly]

Well, if you front load your weddings, you don't really have an issue. If the video peeps are using their images from the wedding to advertise their biz. Not an issue. If they are selling stills (aka photographs) you have an issue.

This silly thing that I posted about almost 2 months ago has gone down without 1 sale. I kid you not. I have not been able to confirm sales from the DJ or video peeps, but they must have. This is the only wedding we have ever shot that has had no post sales.

So, yes its a problem. ANY pro photog or video KNOWS that there is an exclusivity clause. You have to work together and honestly its expected if you are both pros. If you had this clause, then it makes sense (if they are selling photographs) that it was violated. And odds are their clause does not cover exclusive photography - not too many photogs have videography clauses and vise versa. Video peeps would so come after us if we were capturing "streaming photographs" and selling them as photography.

If you are a PPA member, you should call and ask. If you front loaded your prices, and presold to the families, the video peeps can't really steal enough sales to justify the expense. On the other hand, if you didn't you'll have a lot of work with no sales.

:o(

[*Mike*]

"streaming photographs" is the funniest thing I have ever heard...

[MarkM]

You hit the nail on the head Holly.

Your price list will dictate which other vendors your working with.

I'd never tell someone to just "raise their prices" but there's something to be said for working with amatuer vendors.