Wedding Professionalism

I've been hearing a lot of disturbing comments lately about wedding photographers. Not necessarily from brides and grooms, but from other 'professionals', like videographers, florist and even clergy!

With the advent of digital photography, it seems that more and more people are getting into wedding photography. The quality of digital cameras and all the technology built into them make it very difficult to take a bad photograph. But photographing a wedding is much more than simply getting a correct exposure and making sure the subject is in focus. Part of it is interacting, cooperating, and working with not only the bride and groom and their family, but all the other vendors that are working to make the day a special one for their client - which happens to be your client as well.

Some of the terms I'm hearing are obnoxious, intruding, rude, hateful, self-centered and other words that I care not to repeat. I believe that most 'professional' photographers are not this way. But there's a new breed of photographer that seems to feel that as the 'artist' they should have total and free control over every situation. The shot is the most important thing - no matter how it affects others.

My philosophy is that if you can help each other, we all benefit, including the bride, groom and everyone attending the wedding. If you need a particular shot, duck under the video camera rather than walk through it. Be quiet when standing beside them so your noises aren't interfering with their recording. If the florist is late delivering the flowers, don't curse them and complain to the bride, come up with poses that don't require flowers and use valuable time for those. Once the flowers arrive, create those portraits - and the flowers are even fresher looking. If the officiant says no flash photos during the vows... don't run up the aisle to photograph them with flash - shoot without flash from the back of the church. There's no sense in ticking off the minister. The bride and groom may not be back to that church again - but you may be!

All I'm saying is that to be a professional wedding photographer, a true professional, you have to treat everyone professionally and with respect for the job they are doing. It does your business no good to interfere with the other vendors of this special day. Work with them to provide the best possible event for your mutual client. You'll gain their respect and maybe next time, they'll be willing to work with you.