steve_c.5 Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Just read this article about a fight breaking out at a wedding...thought it was an interesting topic for the group. Mother of Groom Stabbed in 100-Person Wedding Brawlhttp://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,387382,00.html I've never had any fights or bad blood between guests cause a problem at any of my events, but I guess it could happen. Would you keep shooting, to provide evidence to police, or would you just scramble to get the heck outta there? If people start cutting each other, I think I'd have to go! I've got three kids at home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrodgers Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Maybe if I had a long, fast lens ready.. Nothing like photographing a stabbing to upset the perpetrator! I'd stay back, but I don't think I would leave, and I would be very careful about taking pictures during the brawl. I'd feel it was my duty to stick around in case the police needed another witness. Let the videographer take care of physical evidence. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
william_grimsley Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I think in this case I would stay back and put away all of my gear. I would not want to give someone an excuse to break my expensive gear because I was trying to be a good samaritan. Police get paid to sort out stuff like this not wedding photographers. Also, I am sure there were plenty of eye witnesses who saw the stabbing and more than likely they will not need a color photo. I would however stick around and give a statement if needed and make sure the bride and groom are okay. Your duty to them. My $.02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I had a fight break out at a wedding. Groom's brother got mad at another fellow whom he accused of snatching the garter away from his 8 year old kid (during garter toss). I took my gear and left the room. The videographer kept shooting. The police came, took names, and that was that. I did check to see if any more pictures were wanted but none were and I went home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wedding-photography-denver Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 If any fighting were to start, I would be waay in the back (or as Nadine was, gone all together). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_c.5 Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 I guess if it were just a fight, I'd stay out of the fray like William and let the family and police handle it (although some venues are in the middle of the country and it may take awhile for deputies to arrive). If knives or guns appear, then I disappear! When I was single I might have been more daring but as a parent, I owe it to my kids not to get myself killed. Mental note: don't book weddings of street gang members. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preston_harper Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I was at a wedding where the groom and his 3 brothers got into a fight with the bride's brothers and friends over when the DJ was going to leave (groom wanted him to stay for $$$, the bride's brother did not want to chip in, etc. It started as a pushing match and then became a 4 on 4 fight, which lasted about 5 minutes (eternity for a fight). The police came, 8 arrests, end of show. I grabbed my equipment and moved to the outshirts of the room and when all was said and done, the bride apologized to myself and the videographer and said to have a good night. Point taken, I bolted quickly. It should be pointed out the phtoos were pretty much done at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_hovland Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Pack your gear fast and drive away. Some people pack guns to events. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_schilling___chicago_ Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Three weeks ago I ran into this situation. When the gals have more tatoos than the guys, that's your first clue that you may be in for a fun time. I stayed to the sidelines and looked to help if and when I could since I was one of the few sober people there. The cops came and sorted it out. I reassured the B/G that the day had gone very well up to that point and that we had some beautiful images that would help them to remember what most of the day was about,.... then I scooted out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_schilling___chicago_ Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 BTW, when I say I looked to help when and if I could, I didn't mean with the fight. There were young kids there and some senior ladies, so I looked out for them to made sure that they were out of harm's way. Unfortunately, I think some of the kids learned some new words, really was a shame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_b.4 Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 we had a wedding that came close once. The groom had a little too much to drink and the grooms smash him with the wedding cake. He was not happy about it. we had to calm him down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamont Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 I missed most of the fun at the wedding fight I saw. The Groom's brothers had a bit of a dust up while I was putting my gear in the car, fairly late. When I came back in to say good night to the Bride etc, they were still at it so I rushed out to get my camera again. That stopped it. Evidently they have a bit of a clean up at every family occasion, there are 5 of them and they hold different opinions firmly. The Bride told me that it was "operations normal" and was not to worried about it. Families! Donald. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffcauble Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Worst I've experienced was years ago... The bride and groom had a big yelling match during the reception, no blows were exchanged. Another time when I was working as a second shooter the primary made a comment that offended, wouldn't apologize and came very close to starting a fight, very bad form. If a fight broke out I would first ensure my safety and the safety of my equipment. I doubt I would take photos as it makes me a target and I think shows a certain paparazzi/voyeuristic attitude that is unprofessional. Besides, no one will want to remember such a nasty incident and the police don't need the photographs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawn_kelly Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 I photographed a wedding where at the reception the estranged mother of the bride picked a shouting match first with the bride, and then the groom joined in, which escalated to a shoving match. While this was happening, I went outside and ended up running down the street to a Police car to tell them to come break it up. I should of got some pictures for my personal archive.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_c.5 Posted July 23, 2008 Author Share Posted July 23, 2008 I guess it's true...some people just don't know how to act. The war stories are interesting, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manuel_arzate Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Well all I can say is what holds true for comics, singers, and other performers holds true for photographers. Know your audience (it can only get worse from there).If she's got more tat's than he does and he can't complete every other sentence without a four letter word during your intro for the job, then you may not really need their cash that bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ujwal Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 that would be fun wouldn't it ? i guess....i would just keep on shooting......collect memories and evidence :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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