photographer dilemma :-s

Has she photographed weddings before?

Personally, I would not hire someone who hasn't any wedding experience. I'm not a TOG, but it seems logical that still shooting is different from wedding shooting, especially if you want that photojournalism look. I know every TOG has to build his or her portfolio and someone has to be their first wedding . . . I just wouldn't want it to be mine. To me, photographs are the #1 investment in our wedding, as it's the only thing we'll have left after.

If you're at all hesitant that she won't be able to give you what you want and your budget allows for another photographer, I'd hire someone else. You can always gently tell her that upon having a further think, you would prefer if your guests remained your guests, as you want everyone to have a good time, and with her being your brother's girlfriend, you definitely want her in the photos. Say that you'd of course love to have any shots she may take, but that you don't want her having to actually work the wedding.

I'm shy, but you need to know when to step up and take control...which is during the formals mainly and the groomsmen are there to assist.

But, pro hat on here, modelling counts for nothing. She needs to be able to take and deliver good shots in all conditions and be able to be one step ahead at all times.

Only experience will teach her this and she doesn't have any. It sounds as though photos are important to you, so don't take the risk.

Even more reason than this, never ever ask a family member or friend to do something so important....if they screw up....it'll breed resentment not just between you but other members who wanted a certain photo and didn't get it.

It's a bit like learning how to drive without ever getting into a car. Would you sit in the passenger seat?

Personally I'd hire a professional.

The way I'd approach it with her is that, as she's a valued member of the family, you'd like her to be in the photographs. So with that in mind you've decided to hire another photographer to do the more formal shots and that you would love it if she could concentrate on capturing the more candid shots of the day.

What she will actually be, to every one else, is a guest with a good camera taking pictures.

I would also go along the lines of 'wanting her to enjoy herself and be relaxed etc'. My younger brother is just finishing a photography degree and he said that he wouldnt want to do ours as he would feel more awkward doing it for people he knows and be worried incase he messed it up lol

Rachel xx

I would hire pro it would save any awkwardness if you are not happy with the pics afterwards....to save her feelings say to her you would rather she enjoyed your day as a guest rather then working.

WEES. I'd get a pro in (if you can afford it!) and tell your brother's gf that it's mostly for the formal shots so that a) she can be in them too and b) she can enjoy herself on the day. But also that you'd still love her to take some of your wedding photographs too and could she do a few candid shots!

Babe, don't do it, honestly. It is a very difficult job, she would most likely be bricking it and not enjoy your wedding at all. To get the really good interactive photos you do ned to be vocal and confident in what you do. Leaving it up to purely reportage capture does not cut it for most modern brides. They all need direction. If things aren't going her way will she step up and be insistant? I can think of hundreds of times where I would have ruined shots if I hadnt been pushy - this doesnt mean bossy though. Here's some examples:

Bride wants some photos of her and her Mum at her house before she leaves. I absoloutely have to leave by 1pm and its 12.45 and she's not even in her dress. I MUST gently persuade her that i will miss her shots if she doesnt get ready now. Shy girl wouldnt say anything - shots missed.

Videographer has set his tripod up directly in the aisle centre - potentially ruining all of my aisle shots. I insist politely he must move to the side or in a pew or behind me. Shy girl says nothing, all walking down and back up the aisle shots are either missed or have the videographer in them.

Shy girl doesnt realise she must introduce/ ingratiate herself to the vicar/priest/registrar - she appears un-professional and is not allowed to stand at the front, she tries and takes photos from her seat - they are rubbish.

The wonderful confetti shot - I shout out that the couple would like everyone to gather for a fab confetti shot, I help to arrange everyone and do a loud count-down 3-2-1 throw! Fabby shots. Shy girl just tries capture Aunty Susan throwing a small handful as she does it, she misses most of it and the couple arent even facing her - ruined

The group photos: Bride has given me a set list of 7 must-have groups. I have 30 minutes before the meal is served - I organise to within an inch of my life - rounding up the key players - shy girl is too shy to announce that she needs the groups, most of guests have now disappeared off to their rooms or are checking in. The wedding co-ordinator at the hotel is insisting the guests come and sit down or their starters are ruined. Group shots ruined.

Group shots continued: Shy girl tries to set up her shots, all the family are messing about and talking, not looking at her or paying any attention. Behind her are 15 guests all with cameras, all shouting 'look over here!' Her slot of 30 mins for photos only gets her through 4 groups, every one of those photos looks messy and un-co-ordinated, half of the people are looking to the side and smiling at their friends. - ruined.

God, i'm really enjoying this now - I could go on and on and on - these are all experiences I had at nearly every wedding. Hire a true professional with WEDDING experience - not portrait experience, not good at shooting fashion/cars/landscapes - WEDDINGS!!!!!! They are a completely different animal!

Nicola,

You have absolutely nailed it there !!

I couldn't have said it better myself....have you considered writing books...I would buy one !

Coming back to the question though....DEFINITELY...HIRE A PRO !

Best

Dean

www.deancarney.com

Could you ask her to be photographer for the day, but hire a professional for the ceremony & 'Official' pics? x

The last wedding I went to , the bride had hired 2 photographers, maybe this is something you should look into? One did all the formal photos and the other stayed with the rest of the guests during this time.

Doing this will allow your brother GF to get experience and enjoy some of the day as a guest ( this is the reason you can give her for using 2) and most importantly you'll have the reassurance that you'll have the photos you want of your big day.

Good Luck

L x

WKharvS - I would definately hire a pro tog and ask her to take some candid shots throughout the day.

This is a really bad idea, primarily because she will think she still is the Photographer, get in the actual photographers way and really p them off.

It's reallly quite bad enough with everyone sticking their cameras in the way let alone telling someone they have more authority to do so.

Last weekend I was trying to do some lovely formals of just the couple and 80% of the images had to be ditched because of guests distracting the couple. (Groom looked great, bride distracted, Bride looking great, groom distracted) Adding another tog? I'll pull my contract out and quote where it says that I'm the only professional photographer allowed. Because I guarantee it, someone will be trying to take the same shot either over my shoulder or from the side.

Even if you managed to find a pro tog willing to only cover the ceremony and formals, there is still the copyright issues. Two togs at a wedding etc etc.

Wedding photography is a techincal, logistical and physical nightmare. Don't complicate things for us please.

All of these people with a camera, apart from maybe the guy with the camcorder were taking pictures not for the couple but for themselves. But I was there for the couple. Yet because of the guests self interest a lot of their shots weren't anywhere near as good as they could of been.

'I'm just taking this shot to put a really dodgy, blurred, side profiled, out of focus shot up on facebook for everyone to look at'

Most of the time other than direct family the wedding photos are really of most importance to the couple. It's not that the guests don't care, they just don't understand. They don't understand that I have limited time to take the formals, they don't care that organizing their own shots whilst I'm trying to do the group shots is going to mean less time with the bride and groom. Because they don't know.

I agree 100% with everything Nicola and Chris have said. Professionals are called that for a reason, trust them to do a good job. Let your friend be a guest and get on with taking her own photos of everybody else if she wants.

To be a TOG its more than just having a good camera and pointing it and clicking away. You have to be creative, knowledgeable and LOUD.

As an aside, i'm telling people that the vicar has requested guests refrain from taking photos in the church. Not entirely true but our vicar is such a stickler it could easily be true and so thats what i'm telling people. I want people to see good photos of me taken by my professional photographer that we are hiring for a reason and a significant amount of money. I don't want umpteen people with iphones standing in the aisle taking photos of me as i walk towards D so that Haydn can't get the photos we've asked for!

I had not even thought of this! What a terrible photo! I'm going to ask my priest to tell everyone that they can't take any photos in the church now. If they really want some photos then they can order them off the photographer.i also really don't want a hundred flashes going off in my face and cameras pointing at me all along the aisle as I walk in. So grateful for this thread now!

I would say that you want her to enjoy the day rather than be there as a photographer. One of my bridesmaids is a hairdresser and while I love and trust her at doing hair, I want her to enjoy the experience as a bridesmaid / guest of the weddin. Good luck

Indeed, when it really should look like this:

There's certain times cameras shouldn't be used, the walk up and down the aisle and the speeches (I've had the someone at the top table record the speech, all I got really was that one person holding up a cameraphone).

Magic moments usually only happen once, there's no retakes and often a guest spoils the shot.

Simple!

Hire a wedding photographer to do the main bit of the day (ceremony to sit down meal) tell her you didn't want her to stress out, but enjoy your wedding day, and you were worried that she'd be stressing too much.

However, you'd love her to be involved in the photography before the ceremony, and capturing the informal shots while the main photographer is doing his thing...

Best of both worlds..

PK x

Speak to a few professional photographers and ask their opinion. Our photographer actually works with a second photographer anyway, so they are used to working together and have a plan as to who does what shots. For example he takes pics of the guys getting ready while she takes shots of the girls, he takes posed shots of the bride and groom while she takes natural shots of friends and family at the drinks reception. If your sister could have a good chat with the professional beforehand and they plan together who will do what, you could end up with lots of extra beautiful shots that you may have otherwise missed. I really wanted two photographers as the photos are really important to me and I would like shots of things I won't get to see - like h2b getting ready and guests arriving at the church. It could work out really well and you get the best of both! xx

It is absolutely true that model photography bears limited resemblance to the craft required for weddings....different skill requirements.

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